For the first time, the Lopez Museum and Library will bring its collection of masterpieces to the UPV Museum of Art and Cultural Heritage, consisting of the works of Juan Luna, Felix Hidalgo and Fernando Amorsolo.
The Lopez Foundation, Iloilo City Government and University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) held a ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement for the program at the city mayor’s office on Monday.
Signatories included Lopez Group Foundation president Mercedes Lopez-Vargas, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, UPV Chancellor Clement Camposano, City Administrator Melchor Tan, and visual artist, cultural worker and professor Martin Genodepa.
Former senator Franklin Drilon and former Tourism secretary Narzalina Lim witnessed the ceremonial signing.
The exhibition program presents a unique opportunity for people in Iloilo and Western Visayas and the nearby regions to see the original works of Luna, Hidalgo, Amorsolo, and other major Filipino artists who contributed to the development of art in the country.
It will also serve as a learning platform for students of arts and culture, the UPV statement read.
“The Lopez Museum and Library is known for its substantial collection of Philippine art and has loaned its collection to major museums abroad. This is the first time it is sharing its collection with the public in a venue outside of Metro Manila,” the statement added.
Drilon, who has been working for the exhibition program since 2019, said the event is most significant because it will be in UP Visayas, whose main building used to be the old Iloilo City Hall donated by former vice president Fernando Lopez.
“That is more significant because then it has come a full circle, and the Lopez Foundation should be recognized for its effort to revive their roots and their bond with Iloilo. I hope that this would put Iloilo on the arts map because this is the first time that this kind of activity is taking place here,” he said.
Vargas said they were thankful to Drilon for being persistent in wanting to bring the museum to Iloilo and Lim for supporting the project.
“We leave the collection to the responsible hands of Martin Genodepa,” said Vargas.
The exhibition program will have two cycles with two exhibitions each.
The first cycle will be from November 2024 to April 2025 and the second cycle from November 2025 to April 2026.
“This exhibit is really one of the best things that is going to happen for Iloilo. We’re glad that it’s finally going to be here. On behalf of Iloilo City, thank you very much,” Treñas said. (PNA)