Cover Rodel Tapaya in front of ‘Multi-petalled Beauty’
Rodel Tapaya in front of ‘Multi-petalled Beauty’
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Witness a night of gratitude and art at the Romero’s
Representative Mikee Romero and his wife, Sheila, started the year with gratitude by hosting a Thanksgiving dinner at their residence. The gathering was also a tribute to the esteemed contemporary visual artist Rodel Tapaya, commemorating the couple’s recent acquisition of his 2012 artwork, Multi-petalled Beauty, considered his largest piece ever auctioned.
“This work explores various narratives from folktales, legends, myths, science, history, and politics that comment on humanity’s natural desire for youth, power, and beauty,” the artist says.
Tapaya is one of the most important contemporary painters in Southeast Asia. His works form thought-provoking instantiations of myth and contemporary existence—such as beastly incarnations of gods beside factories and television antennae—and are both a retelling and a continuation of his milieu's oral and pictorial tradition.
It is not a surprise that he and his works caught the attention of the Romeros.
Above Guests enjoying dinner prepared by the chef Lorenzo Pimentel
Guests enjoying dinner prepared by the chef Lorenzo Pimentel
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Above Rep Mikee Romero, Rodel Tapaya, Sheila Romero
Above Rep Mikee Romero, Rodel Tapaya, Sheila Romero
Rep Mikee Romero, Rodel Tapaya, Sheila Romero
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Mikee and Sheila have cultivated a deep affinity for the arts since the early 2000s. Despite their involvement in the port and power sectors, they have dedicated time and enthusiasm to building an impressive collection of masterpieces by National Artists such as Fernando Amorsolo, HR Ocampo, Ang Kiukok, Federico Alcuaz, Ben Cabrera, Arturo Luz, along with the works of renowned artists such as Manuel Garibay, Jose John Santos III, Mark Justiniani, Elmer Borlongan, and now Tapaya, among many others.
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Mandy Romero, Milka Romero, Marina Cruz-Garcia, Sheila Romero, Rep Camille Villar- Genuino, Amb Constance See, Ces Drilon
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“Our art collection is a dynamic celebration of the exceptional talent of Filipino masters,” says Sheila. “Proudly displayed in our home, these pieces evoke a profound national pride. We love how Tapaya’s masterpieces highlight Filipino artists’ excellence and emphasise their capacity to achieve international acclaim.”
Present at the event was Marina Cruz, Tapaya’s wife, with guests including the Thai ambassador Tull Traisorat, Singaporean ambassador Constance See Sin Yuan, Rep Camille Villar-Genuino and husband Erwin Genuino, Ces Drilon and Chris Newport.
Chef Lorenzo Pimentel of Soil Private Dining delivered an exquisite eight-course gastronomical experience, expertly fusing Filipino and international flavours. The remainder of the evening unfolded in delightful conversations amidst the melodies of a piano and saxophone duo, with guests sharing their mutual passion for art.
This story was originally published in the March 2024 issue of Tatler Philippines. Download it on your digital device through Zinio, Magzter, or Pressreader.
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is a digital editor at Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
