Megaworld Corporation is considering the idea of permanently naming the proposed convention center as the Iloilo City International Convention Center comparable to other international convention centers in the world.
Kevin L. Tan, Megaworld First Vice President and Head Commercial Group gave the assurance that they are going to look at the international side of the convention center project as a major hub for tourism conventions and exhibits in this part of the country.
Megaworld is also building an Iloilo Business Park in the area with two five-star hotels to rise soon aside from commercial buildings, a park, restaurant and entertainment area and a business processing outsourcing center.
The proposed hotels are Richmonde and Marriot Courtyard to cater to the needs of international tourists who wanted better and world class services aside from high end shopping malls like Rustan’s presence in Iloilo City.
Tan said they are also proposing to install a business process outsourcing (BPO) in the area that will augment the efforts of making the area as a major business and tourism hub of the city.
Fitted with state-of-art amenities and equipment, the proposed convention center at the 1.7 hectare lot donated by Megaworld, will have a seating capacity of 3,700 seats with the main convention hall divided into 4 units of 720 square meter halls, 1 unit of 1,440 square meters and 2 units of 720 square meters halls, 1 unit of 2,160 square meters and 1 unit 720 square meters halls.
The 2-storey building will accommodate the main convention hall at the ground floor and 8 smaller function rooms at the second floor, a small museum-souvenir shop and will be equipped with escalators and elevators with enough comfort rooms on all floors.
The building design was made by international architect William Coscoluella and conceived with the Iloilo City festivals such as Paraw Regatta and Dinagayang Festival as inspiration. The building’s 15 exterior fins mimic the sail of the Paraw while the main glass walls are printed with ceramic paint laminated in glass featuring abstract figures of Dinagyang revelry.
Other features are the indigenous stones used predominantly in the exterior and interior design while a green wall lines the side of the building. By Lydia Pendon.
