As someone who has spent years exploring the ever-evolving landscape of the Philippine art scene, I am continually struck by its ability to surprise, challenge, and move. Whether it’s the quiet precision of realism, the fearless energy of abstraction, or the raw honesty of personal narrative, each artwork I encounter speaks to something deeper.
Often, it’s the life story and experiences of the artist that resonate—the way their work evolves over the years, the causes they champion, and their genuine desire to share their talent for a greater good. Together, these voices reveal a community in motion.
What stays with me most is the sense of purpose behind it all—a collective drive that continues to push the boundaries of what art can be and who it can speak for.
Take, for instance, visual artist Demi Padua.
in Ortigas showcasing Filipino artists headed to the Florence Biennale 2025
I first met visual artist Demi Padua at the Art in the Park press conference, during a time when he was at the center of a controversy. Our next encounter was at the opening of his exhibit Layers and Shadows at the National Museum for the Asian Cultural Council Philippines.
This time, the conversation was different—more personal and inspiring. Demi shared his story of struggle, recalling how he once faced uncertainty about even putting food on the table or affording college. Despite those challenges, he found his calling in the arts, turning hardship into a powerful creative force that now defines his work.
Padua is known for his striking portraits and trompe l’oeil technique, with intricate details and layered compositions that invite deeper exploration. His career includes numerous solo and group exhibitions in the Philippines and abroad, and honors such as the 2013 Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Tanaw Art Competition Grand Prize, as well as awards from AAP, GSIS Museum and Metrobank.
Part of ACCP’s 25th anniversary events, the exhibit highlights both Padua’s skill and his support for ACCP’s mission to foster cultural exchange and develop Filipino artists. Contributions from DF Art Agency, Padua and The Good Hope Future Foundation will fund the ACC Philippines Fellowship Program, which supports artists, scholars and cultural practitioners through opportunities for growth and international collaboration.
The partnership between ACC Philippines Foundation, the National Museum and arts and business supporters emphasizes the value of cultural exchange and global recognition for Filipino artists, strengthening the country’s cultural landscape.
Padua’s Layers and Shadows runs until August 26, 2025, at the Sergio Osmeña Hall, National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila.
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Three Filipino artists will represent the Philippines at the Florence Biennale 2025, one of Europe’s leading contemporary art events, scheduled for October in Florence, Italy.
Marco Polo “MarPolo” Cabrera, Marjowyn Vito, and Angelie Banaag will join artists from around the world in the biennial exhibition, which showcases innovative works before an international jury and audience.
Cabrera, a multidisciplinary artist from Nagcarlan, Laguna, holds a degree in broadcasting from Laguna State Polytechnic University and studied at Lasalle College of the Arts in Singapore. Influenced by music, nature, and Philippine mythology, his art reflects cultural pride. He held his fourth solo show at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in March and exhibited at Art Expo Hong Kong in May and June.
Banaag, a self-taught artist from Dingras, Ilocos Norte, creates textured works inspired by faith, femininity, and Ilocano heritage, often incorporating inabel fabric and gold leaf. Vito, known for her Contrasegmentism style, blends flat surfaces with textured volumes to explore themes of women’s empowerment, climate change, and peace. She has exhibited in New York, London, and Mexico City and was the first Filipino artist to join Arte Capital.
Ahead of the Florence Biennale, Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria and Holiday Inn & Suites Manila Galleria are featuring the three artists’ works in an exhibition running through September at The Gallery Bar in Ortigas. The event is in partnership with Artablado, a platform that promotes Filipino artists locally and internationally.
“We are deeply honored to support Filipino creatives through this collaboration with Artablado,” said Patria Puyat, cluster general manager of Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria. “Our shared goal is to amplify local talent and give them the platform they deserve both here at home and abroad.”
