Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas recently issued an executive order creating the Iloilo Summer Arts Festival, which is intended to showcase various local talents in an array of artistic fields. The first such festival, which will be organized by a committee chaired by City First Lady Rosalie Treñas, is scheduled to run next year from April 3 to May 17.
“Ilonggos have brilliance and radiance and are an expressive people,” the city first lady said.
Meanwhile, Edward Defensor, an advisor to the committee, expressed his anticipation for the event.
“I’m very happy about this development,” the artist said. “We had art festivals before [but], due to a lack of support, they were not continued.”
“Iloilo has become the number one city and province in terms of art development,” he added. “I’m sure [the festival] is going to move towards the dream of Mayor Treñas for Iloilo to become the ‘Art Capital of the Philippines.’”
The festival is expected to feature exhibits showcasing visual arts, dance, music, literature, film and theater, crafts, horticulture or gardens, and culinary arts./WDJ