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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Old municipal hall in Iloilo City becomes regional arts, cultural hub

Old municipal hall in Iloilo City becomes regional arts, cultural hub

Published Feb 15, 2026 02:59 pm
THE old Jaro Municipal Hall in Iloilo City is now known as the Taohay NCCA Cultural Center and Regional Hub. (Tara Yap/Taohay)
THE old Jaro Municipal Hall in Iloilo City is now known as the Taohay NCCA Cultural Center and Regional Hub. (Tara Yap/Taohay)
ILOILO CITY – The old Jaro Municipal Hall in this city has transformed as a hub for artists and cultural workers of Western Visayas.
As an adaptive reuse structure, it is now under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) as Taohay NCCA Cultural Center and Regional Hub. It is the first of its kind outside of the NCCA head office in Intramuros, Manila.
“Western Visayan culture is rich, resilient, and deeply rooted in the lives of its communities. From our languages and rituals to our music, dances, and storytelling traditions, our arts carry the wisdom of our ancestors and the voice of our present. This cultural center exists to honor that legacy and to ensure that it continues to be lived, practiced, and shared by future generations,” said Taohay Regional Director Elvert Bañares.
As part of National Arts Month, Taohay is hosting a series of activities in film, theater, literature, and the visual arts.
In partnership with CineKasimanwa: The Western Visayas Film Festival, Taohay is premiering five new short films – “Kung Mag-uwang ang Kagulangan” by Glydle Beatisula, “Katung Adlaw nga Nadula Ako sa Kahanginan” by Daniel de la Cruz, “Save the Date” by Donny Pedregosa, “Schhwwwrrpppp!” by Doxford Perlas, and “Sundan ang Imo Banas” by Ria Momblan.
The documentary “Ati Ako” by Rosa Zerrudo will also be screened at Taohay. The film is funded by the NCCA and produced by the Center for Heritage and Indigenous Cultures of the University of San Agustin (USA).
In partnership with the Iloilo Theater Festival (ILOTF), there will also be performances by USA Little Theater as well West Visayas State University (WVSU), including WVSU TeatroTayo and WVSU Irong-Irong Dance Company.
In partnership with Kasingkasing Press, new books will be launched – “Kon ang Gabii Indi Makaturog kag Iban pa nga Binalaybay” by Alex C. delos Santos, “A Book About a Boy” by Marvin Monfort, and “Tusik” by Domingo M. Aguillon III.
There will also be an exhibit featuring the works of Guy Custodio and Patis Tesoro and the costumes of the Dinagyang Festival.
Dr. Vic Salas recently led a heritage walk in Jaro district that started and ended at Taohay.
Art talks and workshops will be held this month.
The art deco building designed by renowned architect Juan Arellano and declared as an Important Cultural Property (ICP) was supposed to be an office of the National Museum after the Iloilo City government donated it in 2014.
However, the National Museum never fully occupied it even after the 2017 completion of a P20-million restoration project funded by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), an attached agency of the Department of Tourism (DOT).
Last year, a usufruct agreement was signed between the NCCA and the Iloilo City government for the use of the old Jaro Municipal Hall. Taohay is also backed by the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI).

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Jaro Iloilo City
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