Cover The works by Mindoro Artists Group, presented in this year’s Ortigas Art Festival
The works by Mindoro Artists Group, presented in this year’s Ortigas Art Festival
1 / 1
The 9th Ortigas Art Festival transforms GH Mall into an accessible, multidisciplinary hub of creative expression, celebrating iconic masters alongside emerging Filipino talent until July 31
Running until July 31, GH Mall becomes the stage for a free, multidisciplinary showcase of contemporary visual arts, immersive installations, independent cinema, live performances and interactive workshops. Operating under the long-standing advocacy of “Art for All”, the 9th edition of the event adopts the official theme “Elevate”, marking its evolution from a traditional painting exhibition into one of Metro Manila’s most accessible and celebrated cultural gatherings.
Speaking on the spirit of this year’s presentation, Renato Habulan, lead curator of the Ortigas Art Festival, notes: “The theme ‘Elevate’ is both a reflection and a call to action. It honours how far the festival has come over nine years, while challenging artists and audiences alike to rise higher, think deeper and experience art in new and unexpected ways right here in their neighbourhood mall.”
Read more: Meet Podium Social—a new foodie hotspot in Ortigas
Above The 9th Ortigas Art Festival elevates creativity through its free multidisciplinary art showcase at GH Mall from July 16 to 31. For the first time, it launched the Ortigas Art Competition to support up-and-coming Filipino artists. Included in the photo are (middle, from left) Monique Castañeda, Ortigas Malls AVP, head of marketing; Renato Habulan, Ortigas Art Festival lead curator and consultant; San Juan City Vice Mayor Jose Angelo Rafael Agcaoili and architect Renee Bacani, Ortigas Land vice president and head of Ortigas Malls
The 9th Ortigas Art Festival elevates creativity through its free multidisciplinary art showcase at GH Mall from July 16 to 31. For the first time, it launched the Ortigas Art Competition to support up-and-coming Filipino artists. Included in the photo are (middle, from left) Monique Castañeda, Ortigas Malls AVP, head of marketing; Renato Habulan, Ortigas Art Festival lead curator and consultant; San Juan City Vice Mayor Jose Angelo Rafael Agcaoili and architect Renee Bacani, Ortigas Land vice president and head of Ortigas Malls
1 / 1
The festival opened with live musical performances by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Quartet alongside dynamic dance showcases, setting an engaging tone for the two-week event. At the centre of this year’s visual art lineup is featured artist Junyee, an environmental sculptor recognised as the “Father of Philippine Installation Art”, whose monumental works seamlessly blend natural materials with environmental concepts.
The festival also pays homage to two seminal National Artists. Virgilio Almario, the National Artist for Literature, is commemorated through a dedicated collaboration with the University of the Philippines (UP) Press. Salvador Bernal, National Artist for Theater Design, is brought to life via a specialised exhibition mounted in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
In addition to celebrating established cultural icons, the Ortigas Art Festival provides an expansive platform for artist-run initiatives and regional collectives. Visitors can explore curated spaces from Agos Studio—which is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the social realist group Kaisahan—alongside Eskinita Art Gallery, Linangan Art Residency, Thombayan Art Space, Art Circle Gallery, Historia Art Gallery and Nami Art Gallery. Regional perspectives are represented by the Mindoro Artists Group, the Pasig Art Club, the Ortigas Foundation and the Collective Artists of Angono, representing the Art Capital of the Philippines. A photography exhibition by Born in Film further enriches the visual experience, displaying a mixture of nostalgic and modern shots captured across the archipelago.
Cinema forms an integral component of this year’s programming through a partnership with the CCP and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). The festival presents nightly screenings featuring full-length feature films, documentaries and acclaimed short works by both established and emerging directors.
Read more: In conversation with Junyee: the Father of Installation Art in the Philippines
Above The soot paintings of Junyee
The soot paintings of Junyee
1 / 1
There are nightly showings of Cinemartrys and Alipato at Muog, alongside curated selections from CCP’s Lakbay Sine, Gawad Alternatibo and Cinemalaya programmes. That We May See, directed by Paul Morales, which revisits the 50-year history of Kaisahan, is complemented by cinematic works from director Sari Dalena. Modern short selections include Elian Idoma’s I’m The Best Left Inside My Head (2025) and Andrei Francis “Franky” C Arrocena’s Pastil: Parehas Ra Ta’g Kan-on’g Ginakaon (2025).
To bridge the gap between observation and creation, the Ortigas Art Festival offers a diverse schedule of free, hands-on workshops. Guided sessions cover a wide variety of mediums, including acrylic pouring, block printing, textured plaster art, paper cutting, sketching, storytelling and copyright masterclasses led by Born in Film. These sessions are designed to encourage audiences of all skill levels to experiment directly with artistic materials.
Above UP Press’s booth dedicated to National Artist Virgilio Almario
UP Press’s booth dedicated to National Artist Virgilio Almario
1 / 1
Looking toward long-term creative development, the festival has launched the inaugural Ortigas Art Competition. Designed as a grant initiative to support up-and-coming Filipino visual artists, the competition’s 24 finalists will present their works in a special exhibition in January 2027. The selected grantee will receive formal recognition during the festival’s 10th anniversary milestone, alongside an international exposure opportunity connected to Art Basel Hong Kong 2027.
Through its combination of free galleries, cinema, workshops and artist development programmes, the Ortigas Art Festival reinforces its commitment to making art an everyday encounter within public spaces.
Above Nami Art Gallery at this year’s Ortigas Art Festival
Nami Art Gallery at this year’s Ortigas Art Festival
1 / 1
For updates regarding workshop schedules, film programming and featured announcements, interested patrons can follow the official Ortigas Art Festival Facebook page, join the Ortigas Malls Viber Community, or follow GH Mall on Facebook.
NOW READ
Check out this foodie hotspot in San Juan: The Corner House
Anya Lagman on forging her path as a composer and the art of self-care
About
Before assuming the Art and Culture Editor position, Franz has always had a penchant for visual and performing arts. He is passionate about exploring and writing about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright.
Work
Franz earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas. He writes about local visual and performing artists and their craft; drinks wines, liquors, and spirits and talks about the creativity of their respective winemakers and master blenders; tries to learn more about business and investments; respects the tradition and artistry that go behind the making of watches and jewellery; and appreciates the genius of architecture and creative design.
As head of Tatler Philippines’ pool of writers, he helps them bring impactful and socially relevant stories to light.
For any leads, you may reach him through @franzsorillaiv on Instagram or franz@tatlerphilippines.com via email.
