BACOLOD CITY -- Officials of the International Mask Arts and Culture Organization (Imaco) will conduct a site inspection in Bacolod this coming May as part of the preparations for the city’s hosting of the 7th Imaco International Conference in 2019.
Councilor Em Ang, the chairperson of the City Council’s committee on tourism, said the convention is held every two years in the month of November.
However, Imaco gave Bacolod the option to choose a convenient schedule if it is not possible for the city to host the event on said month.
Ang said that in May, the Imaco officials would hold a preliminary meeting with city officials and inspect the hotel venues.
About 300 delegates from various countries are expected to attend.
Ang said Bacolod faces the challenge of providing equal hotel accommodations or the same hotel category for every delegate.
As part of the city’s preparations, Ang visited Gangneung City in South Korea last month to observe the Winter Olympics art exhibition.
Ang was among the 18 Asian officials who cut the ribbon during the show’s opening rites.
The councilor, along with City Public Information Office head Danny Dangcalan, was invited to the event by Imaco, where Ang sits as an official member.
Imaco is an organization of 63 countries from Asia, Europe, America, Africa, and Oceania that have mask-based festivals.
In November last year, masks used by performers of the world-renowned MassKara Festival were exhibited at the 6th Imaco International Conference in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
During the event, Ang joined Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who spoke during the conference, and signed a memorandum of understanding with Imaco president Kweon Young-sae.
Leonardia then received the organization’s banner on behalf of Bacolod as the next host of the Imaco International Conference in 2019. (PNA)
CAPTION: Bacolod City Councilor Em Ang (center) with Imaco Secretary-General Yoon Byung-Jin (left) and PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games Organizing Committee Director Lee Man Hee (right) at the opening of the Olympic art exhibition in Gangneung City, South Korea last week. Photo courtesy of Bacolod City PIO
