Thomasian artists showcased diverse art styles and creative journeys at the 2025 ManilArt fair at SMX Aura Convention Center in Taguig.
With the theme “Across Forms, Beyond Borders,” ManilART commemorated the defying nature of creativity, going beyond a wide range of artistic approaches and artistic visions.
Among the artists, Maria Magdamit, an advertising alumna, exhibited sculptures focusing on stoneware mediums and themes of nature and femininity.
Tracing her provincial roots, Magdamit’s “Diwata Hiraya Carl,” a clay sculpture, portrays her fondness of nature which led to her conceptualization of her own version of a diwata, a guardian spirit that takes care of Mother Earth.
Dominic Rubio highlights traditional family and Filipino life.
In his “Tahimik na Umaga,” the characters are heavily presented through elements of Filipino culture, often depicting them wearing traditional Filipino attire.
“Gusto kong magpinta para ma-express ko ‘yung kung anong gusto ko…Masarap ipinta ang sarili nating kultura, kaysa kumuha tayo ng kultura ng ibang nasyon,” Rubio said.
Another participating Thomasian artist was painter Abe Orobia who displayed a continuation of his recent works on Saccharine Felines, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between human and nature.
Orobia’s “Garden of Love,” a painting on canvas, features a group of felines playing along a flowery field.
“The cats—are like artists in a sense because they can be silent, they can be misunderstood,” Orobia told the Varsitarian. “Sometimes they look standoffish but at the end of the day, all artists are really observant.”
Janos Delacruz displayed his mixed-media works with a more autobiographical approach, encapsulating the multi-layered aspect of one’s emotions and life.
“Slowly, I put multiple layers. Kasi ang idea ko diyan is like a person, when you are young, you are innocent, you’re kind, but as you grow older, you mature, it adds different elements—art is an extension of the person or the artist,” Delacruz said.
Other participating Thomasian artists were Anita Del Rosario, Jun Impas, Ramon Orlina, Lydia Velasco, Patrick Naval, Richard Buxani, Fil DelaCruz, Jane Ebarle, Margie Tajon, Elmer Dumlao, Artes Orientes, Macoy Coching, and Roberto Lolong.
“ManilART’25: Across Forms, Beyond Borders” ran from Oct. 15 to 19. Kirsten Therese C. Barrameda
