When abstract expressionist Coeli Manese picked up the paintbrush for her The Light That Never Goes Out exhibit for Conrad Manila’s Of Art and Wine, it was not ambition that drove her—it was survival. She was reeling from heartbreak and searching for a reason to keep moving forward.
Art, cliché as it may sound, truly saves Manese. Maybe not in the romanticized way this idea is often portrayed, but in the raw way that survival sometimes demands. While nursing her heart, she found herself searching for something that could anchor her.
When words failed and prayer felt distant, she turned to paint. While mixing colors, layering strokes, and building textures, she began putting herself back together. For Manese, every brushstroke was a prayer when she couldn’t pray. Each canvas became a mirror of her soul—fractured at first, but gradually healing. Every finished work was proof that she was still here, still creating, still feeling, still moving forward.
In her ongoing show at Conrad Manila’s Gallery C, Manese explores the transformative power of divine love, peace, and resilience. Her works draw inspiration from biblical stories and reflect the teachings through symbolic colors from a nuanced palette.
“The artworks in this collection are a deeply personal reflection of my journey through faith, resilience, and creative awakening,” said Manese.
She added, “Each piece is born from moments of quiet introspection, guided by the enduring presence of divine love and light. Through symbolic colors and layered textures, I hope to evoke a sense of peace and spiritual connection. [I hope] this collection illuminates your own path and stirs within you the same hope and wonder that inspired its creation.”
This solo exhibition focuses on three themes: Eternal Light, symbolizing an enduring presence beyond what is visible; Inner Illumination, reflecting the quiet force of insight and personal transformation; and Resilient Hope, portraying faith’s quiet triumph over adversity.
Her nuanced use of mixed media and color deepens this narrative, with each hue carrying emotional and symbolic resonance. Through this palette, her works become more than visual expressions—they are contemplative spaces for grace, reflection, and renewal.
Take, for instance, Payne’s Grey, which stands for wisdom and growth; turquoise for healing and renewal; and burnt sienna for humility and devotion.
In the triptych Set a Fire, the neutral tones of grey and white call for introspection, inviting the audience to mute the noise and clear their minds. In Matchless, a series of three paintings, the artist infuses a tinge of Burnt Sienna to signify devotion and divinity.
Manese has been experimenting with combining acrylic and gouache to create a variety of textures on the canvas. “Instead of applying colors straight from the tube, I mix my paints with Golden mediums to achieve different consistencies—some thin and fluid, others thick and layered. It allows me to express a range of emotions and energy in a single piece.”
She describes her artistic style as Earthwhisper, a term she coined to capture the quiet, intuitive dialogue with nature, rendered through fluid movement and soft, grounded tones. For Manese, this art style is a way of seeing the world not just as it is, but as it feels.
“Earthwhisper reflects a deep connection to the natural world, approached with subtlety and sensitivity. The word ‘whisper’ speaks to the gentle, restrained quality of my work—how the paints flow, the layers breathe, and the tones speak without shouting. It’s about capturing the quiet beauty of the everyday—the overlooked, the fleeting, the simple,” she explained.
Manese began her painting career in 2018, developing a unique abstract expressionist style, primarily rendered in oil, acrylic paint, and mixed media. She incorporates subjects of reflection and spirituality, grounding these grand ideas in kinetic and tantalizing visual forms marked by technical expertise.
In 2019, she earned a Certificate in Curating and a Certificate in Arts Marketing from Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London. In 2020, she obtained two more certificates: one in In the Studio: Post-War Abstract Painting and another in Modern Art & Ideas from the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Since then, Manese has had three solo exhibits and various group exhibitions in the country.
Despite her achievements, Manese remains grounded. “I’m grateful for the gifts and talents God has given me. I’m committed to using them to bring glory to His name. As an artist, I strive to create works that reflect His beauty, creativity, and love, inspiring others to seek Him and experience His joy.”
Presented in collaboration with Space Alt, the exhibit runs until September 13, 2025. It is part of the Of Art and Wine series of Conrad Manila.
“Coeli’s abstract works align beautifully with Conrad Manila’s design philosophy—bold, intuitive, and layered with meaning. Her ability to translate inner emotion into visual form invites thoughtful connection, something we believe our guests deeply value,” shared Conrad Manila general manager Fabio Berto.
Through The Light That Never Goes Out, we continue our mission to showcase contemporary Filipino talent in a setting that inspires both introspection and conversation,” the hotel executive added.
SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation president Elizabeth Sy led the opening, alongside SMHCC executive vice president Peggy Angeles, guest of honor Brigido Simon Jr., and Conrad director of operations Lucky Ou.
