On Valentine’s Day, you can acquire these rare works from the León Gallery auction for the benefit of ACC Philippines

For the connoisseur of history, the auction offers rare treasures from the 19th and early 20th centuries. A significant highlight is Ecce Homo or Portrait of Christ by Patricio Gaston O’Farrell, the favourite student of Juan Luna. This 19th-century work is believed to be a copy of a now-lost masterpiece, painted potentially under the master’s own supervision. León Gallery director Jaime Ponce de Leon notes the significance, drawing a parallel to the Mona Lisa del Prado, stating “It is believed that the student of Leonardo Da Vinci did the work under his supervision. So we view this work as a very similar example”. O’Farrell is further represented by Sumbungan, a 1941 work depicting the betrayal of the Katipunan to Fr Mariano Gil.

The sale also features important pieces by National Artist Fernando Amorsolo, including Site of UP Diliman (1947), which captures the pastoral expanse that would become the country’s premier university, and Marikina (1933). The latter bears profound historical weight, having been acquired by Alex Frieder, a key figure in the Jewish Refugee Committee who worked with President Manuel Quezon to provide a haven for Jews fleeing the Holocaust.

Rounding out the highlights are Félix Resurrección Hidalgo’s Bois de Boulogne, a melancholic capture of his Parisian refuge, and Anita Magsaysay-Ho’s Barrio Scene. The Magsaysay-Ho piece is particularly special as one of the first works signed with her married name, having been acquired by Paul H Woods of the American Chamber of Commerce. Contemporary collectors will also find interest in Danilo Dalena’s America, a rare satirical work from his 1980s travels, and Manuel Ocampo’s mixed media tour de force, Murio la Verdad.

For the discerning historian and collector, the auction presents a triad of formidable lots that chronicle the nation’s narrative. A significant highlight is the second version of the Murillo Velarde map; originating from a private collection in Spain, the pristine specimen arrives alongside a 14-volume set of Historia General de Philipinas by Fray Juan de la Concepción and details islands that remain contested to this day. Equally momentous is a rare first edition of Dr Jose Rizal’s El Filibusterismo, rendered exceptionally precious by its provenance; it is signed and dedicated by the national hero to his fellow ilustrado, Don Trinidad Ermenegildo Pardo de Tavera. Completing these historical treasures is a 1951 sketchbook by Fernando Zóbel, described as a diary of his return to the Philippines from Harvard University. Every page of this volume is populated with writings and drawings, serving as the genesis for future masterpieces such as Pink House and Woman with the Hat.

Read more: The beauty of order in abstraction: National Gallery Singapore mounts its first-ever solo exhibition dedicated to Fernando Zóbel

The true heart of this auction lies in its beneficiary: the ACC Philippines Fellowship Programme, which enables Filipino artists to pursue research and creative work in the United States and across Asia. Since 2000, the foundation has supported nearly 300 alumni, including National Artists Jose Joya, Alice Reyes, and Kidlat Tahimik.

During the recent press launch, returning fellows shared how these grants have irrevocably shaped their practice. Toni Go-Yadao, a theatre and film actor, spent six months in New York immersing herself in the city’s vibrant performance landscape, watching nearly 90 shows ranging from Broadway to experimental works. She described her experience as reflective, noting the overwhelming accessibility of art in the city and its various forms.

“New York can offer a lot, and I learnt to be intentional in keeping a day off for me to reflect on things that I absorb,” she shares. She was particularly struck by the developmental works in New York theatre, where scripts often undergo years of refinement before staging—a stark contrast to the faster-paced production cycles in the Philippines. Moreover, she sensed New Yorkers’ thirst for more experimental works, to the point that she would be surprised that an underground theatrical work would have sold-out shows. Go-Yadao also ventured to Salem, Massachusetts, to visit the historical setting of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, a play she had previously performed in with Tanghalang Pilipino (titled Ang Pag-uusig), deepening her understanding of the text’s real-world context.

Read more: Gab Pangilinan to Tanya Manalang-Atadero: 7 Filipina theatre actors and their must-see productions

Playwright Joshua Lim So used his fellowship to map the narratives of Filipino-Americans, a journey that took him beyond New York to Jacksonville, Florida, Lexington, Kentucky, and New Orleans. He recounted the serendipity of his travels, including a memorable encounter with an Episcopalian priest in Chicago who shared his story of survival. “It was also interesting to get lost sometimes,” he remarked, adding that by the end of his stay, the initial intimidation of the city had faded into a sense of belonging. While he initially found the progress of his research inevitably evolving to discourses on race, the history of racism, and more, he intends to let these stories sit and mature before turning his research into a play.

The auction also supports the journeys of incoming fellows. J-Mee Katanyag, the new artistic director of PETA, will travel to New York to observe decolonised theatre- and narrative-making practices. “I plan to apply these learnings to foster social engagement through narrative work,” Katanyag explained, hoping to inform, affirm or sharpen the concept that theatre is a transformational tool for social change. She is particularly interested in moving beyond buzzwords to see how institutions practically implement “care-based” and “non-hierarchical” creation processes. Meanwhile, Alexa Andrea Torte, a magna cum laude graduate from UP Diliman, will pursue an MFA in Dance at Smith College. Recognising that no such master’s programme exists in the Philippines, she aims to fuse traditional Filipino movement with contemporary dance and Western influences, hoping to return as a better educator and artist.

Despite their varied disciplines, the fellows share a unified vision for their return. As Katanyag noted, the goal is not just to create a piece of art, but to refine the process of creation itself—finding collaborative, community-centred ways to work that can be shared with the Philippine art scene. Whether through devising new theatre techniques, writing complex diasporic narratives, or blending dance forms, these artists are committed to what Go-Yadao described as the ultimate goal: “to share what I’ve learnt, not just being an artist, but also as a human being”.

The Asian Cultural Council auction will take place on Saturday, February 14 at 2pm at León Gallery, Eurovilla 1, Rufino corner Legazpi Streets, Legazpi Village, Makati City. The preview week runs from February 7 to 13, offering collectors and enthusiasts a chance to view these masterpieces before they go under the hammer.

NOW READ

Jaime Ponce de Leon: Connoisseur of the Finer Things

The devil hides among men: a review on Tanghalang Pilipino’s ‘Ang Pag-uusig’

Josie Natori shares her thoughts and feelings as the new global chairperson of the Asian Cultural Council