Megaworld is putting good corporate citizenship on the same level as offering quality products. Public art and a museum for contemporary art will be integrated in its upcoming townships.
The art installations and the museums primarily aim to expose the public to culture and history. Moreover, investing in art enhances the quality of life of the township, making it a more inviting place for people to live and work.
In an interview with Lifestyle, Kevin Tan, Megaworld executive vice president and chief strategy officer, explains that townships are tourism drivers. “Installations like the Arco de Emperador can entice tourists to visit our townships and appreciate the culture of the city.”
“Each of these bronze sculptures tells a story,” he says, citing Gines Serran-Pagan’s bronze statute of Gen. Martin Delgado at Iloilo Business Park. The local hero represented the Ilonggo’s bravery in the face of the colonizers.
Megaworld’s Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (Ilomoca) has given up-and-coming, homegrown artists opportunities to showcase their works in a beautiful venue.
“This drove the local arts community to create more venues. We were able to open the eyes and the minds of the arts community,” says Tan.
He adds that successful balikbayan Ilonggo artists were impressed with Ilomoca’s potential and have since been helping the young artists.
The Iloilo Business Park, with its Festive Walk Mall, Ilomoca and parks, has put the province on a tourist’s must-visit list because of the unique experiences it offers.
“More than just business, we are able to help build a stronger community,” says Tan. People, who work in the township, now have access to art. Researches indicate that exposing the workforce to art can stimulate their creativity and productivity.
Likewise, the Arco de Emperador and an upcoming museum in Arcovia City are expected to yield the same benefit.
“Soon, this township will be filled with other art installations and attractions that will inspire the younger generation to become ‘their own Emperador’ by working hard and chasing their victories,” he said.
Megaworld’s ultimate goal, says Tan, is to impart its contribution to nation-building. —MARGE C. ENRIQUEZ