Search This Blog

Showing posts with label Ortigas Art Festival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ortigas Art Festival. Show all posts

Friday, July 11, 2025

Ortigas Art Festival 2025 Champions Creativity for Everyone

 Over the past eight years, the Ortigas Art Festival has grown from a local exhibit to a nationally recognized cultural event, receiving multiple accolades including the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards and the International Business Awards for its innovation and public accessibility.

 


This year, it builds on that legacy—not just to showcase talent, but to create real, lasting impact.

 

For the first time, Ortigas Art Festival 2025 will be held at GH Mall from July 10 to 24, 2025 with a powerful theme: “Art for All: A Celebration of Borderless Artistic Expression.”


 

At its core, “Art For All” is a movement that seeks to break down walls—between disciplines, between artists and audiences, and between the art world and everyday life. The Ortigas Art Festival shows us that art is not confined to galleries nor exclusive for collectors, but experienced by people from all walks of life.

 

It’s also about providing platforms that empower communities, amplify underrepresented voices, and support both emerging and established artists in ways that go beyond the commercial. The Ortigas Art Festival, with its free exhibitions, open-to-public workshops, free movie screenings, and diverse programming, is doing exactly that.


The Ortigas Art Festival 2025 will be held at GH Mall from July 10 to 24, 2025
, with a powerful theme of “Art for All: A Celebration of Borderless Artistic Expression.” Present during the opening ceremony were (top L-R) Angono artist Totong Francisco; Nemiranda, founder of Angono Ateliers Association; fashion designer Chynna Mamawal; Tess Rayos Del Sol, Head of the National Committee on Art Galleries; Angono, Rizal Councilor Jhoanne Saguinsin; San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora Arch. Renee Bacani, Ortigas Malls Vice President; Pasig City Councilor Angelu De Leon; Helen Mirasol and Renato Habulan, Ortigas Art Festival Head Curators and Consultants; Franz Lopez, Born in Film founder; (bottom L-R) Monique Castañeda, Ortigas Malls AVP and Head of Marketing; Ortigas family JV Sullano, Alex Ortigas-SullanoMaritess Ortigas, Maite Ortigas; and Cathy Dueñas, Ortigas Malls AVP Head  of Leasing.

 

Bringing art closer to the people

Taking over multiple venues inside GH Mall—including the East Wing Atrium, South Wing Atrium, 4F Tech Hub, and Promenade Cinema—the festival transforms its everyday spaces into living galleries, proving that art doesn’t need formal spaces to be powerful.

 

From July 10 to 24, the mall becomes a canvas for a community-led celebration of creative expression across a range of disciplines: visual art, photography, film, fashion, dance, music, and more.

 

“Our mission has always been to bring art closer to people and people closer to art,” says Renato Habulan, artist and Ortigas Art Festival Consultant and Head Curator. Art for All is our guiding principle. We believe that by making art more accessible, we’re helping artists grow, helping communities connect, and creating meaningful cultural experiences for everyone.”

 

A festival rooted in community

The festival’s curated exhibitions feature a dynamic mix of Filipino talent—many of whom are deeply connected to their local communities.

 

Totong Francisco, the grandson of National Artist Carlos Francisco, and Raul Roco Jr., son of the late beloved Senator Roco, will display their works, along with a fashion design exhibit featuring Chynna Mamawal, and a photography exhibit by Born in Film, Redlab, and many more artists.

 

In the East Wing Atrium, guests can discover works from Angono Artists, hailed as the art capital of the Philippines, Linangan Art Residency, Ortigas Foundation, Redlab Gallery, San Juan Artists, Shine Vitto Galerie from Mindoro, artists from Pasig City, and more. These groups represent not only artistic excellence but also the vibrancy of regional narratives and diverse cultural identities across the Philippines.

 

The South Wing Atrium showcases galleries like Art Circle, Art Point, Jean & Jaz Gallerie, Nami Art, and Born in Film, offering a rich visual experience that spans painting, mixed media, and analog photography.

 

And for those wanting more than just a viewing experience, the 4F Tech Hub is where you can roll up your sleeves and get involved. With a lineup of workshops, artist talks, forums, and pop-ups, it’s a space built for creative discovery. Mallgoers can join the Watercolor Pop-Up Art Fair by Philippine Guild of Watercolorists (PGW); art talk by Linangan’s Manny Garibay; workshops by Pasig Art Club and Born in Film at the South Wing Atrium.

 

These programs allow the public not only to engage with art but also to learn from the very artists creating it—turning them from passive viewers into active participants.

 

Beyond the brush: film, fashion, dance, and music

Art for All also means celebrating creativity in all its forms—not just on canvas. The Promenade Cinema will feature free screenings of acclaimed Filipino films starting July 11, 2025, thanks to a collaboration with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). Screenings include Babae at Baril on July 11, John Denver Trending on July 12and Thy Womb on July 18 at 7PM at Cinema 4 of The Promenade.

 

On the fashion front, designer Chynna Mamawal presents expressive pieces that blur the lines between couture and concept. The Learning Tree, Halili School of Dance, and UPeepz bring the rhythm and grace of movement to the stage.

 

This multidisciplinary approach reflects the evolving nature of art today—expansive, interdisciplinary, and deeply collaborative.

 

Ortigas Art Festival 2025 opens with a vernissage on July 10 at the East Wing Atrium and runs daily during mall hours until July 24. Admission to all exhibits and screenings are free. For workshops, be sure to register to confirm your slot.

 

Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a curious wanderer, or someone looking for inspiration, this festival is your invitation to explore the boundless world of creativity—no gatekeeping, no barriers.

 

Because here, art isn’t just for some—it’s for all. For more information and updates, like and follow GH Mall on Facebookand Instagram. #OrtigasArtFestival2025 #OAF2025 #ArtForAll

Friday, July 19, 2024

Ortigas Art Festival: Art for All, A Celebration of Borderless Artistic Expression

 Now in its seventh year, the Ortigas Art Festival is expanding its horizons, putting the spotlight on more artists from all corners of the Philippines. With the theme “Art for All: A Celebration of Borderless Artistic Expression,” visitors can experience a grander Ortigas Art Festival from July 18 to August 18 at the East Wing of Estancia Mall, Pasig City, featuring thousands of Filipino artists to showcase their diverse regional artistry and a wide range of workshops for various disciplines.

Ortigas Art Festival is an award-winning event, earning recognition from the prestigious Anvil Awards (Silver Award) and Stevie International Business Awards (Gold Award) where its annual month-long free art exhibit features Filipino artists of various disciplines from all parts of the Philippines.

 

“Every year, we want to make the Ortigas Art Festival bigger to welcome more Filipino artists and organizations from all over the country. We successfully did that this year with artists from Angono, which is the art capital of the Philippines featuring the works of Totong Francisco, the grandson of Botong Francisco, and many others to showcase the diverse talents and artistic styles of these regions," said Arch. Renee Bacani, Vice President & Head of Ortigas Malls


The 7th Ortigas Art Festival officially opens at Estancia Mall, celebrating art for all Filipinos. The opening ceremony was  leadby (from L to R: Mr. Renato Habulan, Curator of Ortigas Art Festival; Mr. Totong Francisco, Grandson of National Artist Botong Francisco; Mr. Dennis Montera, Head of NCCA on Visual Arts; Atty. Michael David Abundo III, VP, Head Corporate Resources Division of Ortigas Land; Mr. DaveeZuniga, Chief Finace Officer of Ortigas Land; Ms. Helen Mirasol, Consultant of Ortigas Art Festival; Arch. Renee Bacani, VP, Head of Ortigas Malls; CounAngelu De Leon of Pasig City; Mr. Jose Javier Reyes, Chairman and CEO of FDCP; Ms. Avie Felix, Curator of Phil. Pavillion to 15th Gwangju Biennale; Ms. Alex Ortigas; Mr. Dio Ortigas;  Ms.Jenna Belardo, VP, Head of Residential Business Unit of Ortigas Land; Ms. Monique Castañeda, AVP, Head Marketing of Ortigas Malls)   

 

The opening ceremony was attended by Ortigas Malls Vice President Arch. Renee BacaniAngono Vice Mayor Gerardo Calderon, Pasig Councilor Angelu De Leon, and other LGU members to represent their respective cities. Also gracing the event were Ortigas Art Festival lead curators and consultants Renato Habulan and Helen Mirasol, Dr.  Dennis “Sio” Montera, the head of the National Commission for Culture and Arts’ (NCCA) National Committee on Visual Arts, and the artists representing the Philippines at the 15th Gwangju Biennale.

 

Ortigas Art Festival presents a diverse lineup of creative disciplines for people of all ages:

 

Visual Arts

Since launching in 2018, Ortigas Art Festival expanded its roster of featured visual artists. This year, Agos Studio led by Renato Habulan continues to highlight the vibrant paintings and sculptures of up-and-coming Filipino artists. It also features “Buklod”, consisting of artists from Iloilo, which further solidifies its purpose to bring people together and champion regional artistry. Plus, Habulan also launched “Lunduyan,” a two-year mentorship program for emerging artists.

Ortigas Art Festival lead curator and consultant Renato Habulan emphasizes the importance of democratizing art and making it accessible for all.

 

Linangan Artist Residency, known as an alternative art school headed by Emmanuel Garibay based in Alfonso, Cavite, creatively divides its Ortigas Art Festival exhibit into well-thought-out sections that encourage art education. The exhibit serves as a portal to creative discovery and learning through a series of solo exhibits, collaborative showcases, hands-on workshops, and enlightening lectures.

 

Several artists from Angono, the art capital of the Philippines, are showcasing their vibrant artworks at Ortigas Art Festival. This includes the versatile and dynamic works of TotongFrancisco, the grandson of National Artist Botong Francisco, under Grupo Sining Angono. The Angono Artists Associationhelps young artists to develop their skills in art and teach the importance of preserving our culture and rich heritage. TheAngono Ateliers Association, an art group established 1975 in honor of Francisco, has remained committed for 45 years to develop the town of Angono into an “Artists' Village.”

 

vMeme Contemporary Art Gallery features the exhibit “Locations of Freedom,” a pre-departure exhibit for the Philippine Pavilion for 15th Gwangju Biennale in South Korea. It will include various art forms, like an audio-visual production, maquette and mini versions of sculptures, photographs, and other artworks related to the exhibit in Gwangju. It will feature the works of artists like filmmaker Sari Dalena, sculptor ToymImao, and more.

From July 18 to August 18, Ortigas Art Festival visitors can experience the diverse creativity of Filipino artists from various regions of the Philippines and free workshops in East Wing, Estancia Mall, Pasig City.

 

The Pasig Art Club, founded in 1957, prides itself in the diversity of its members who come from a wide array of professions and disciplines. For the Ortigas Art Festival, it will showcase the works of Lita Wells, Ace Dimanlig, and other members of the club.

 

Photography

If you love looking at nostalgic photographs and shots that show a different perspective, the Ortigas Foundation Library and Redlab Gallery have displayed their prints in their respective exhibits. From alluring landscapes to the vibrant greenery of nature, viewers can see the captivating pictures eternally memorialized by talented photographer collectives.

 

Ortigas Foundation Library in cooperation with NayonPhotographers Club also showcases the unique art of paintography in its exhibit. This combines painting and photography to create elegantly vibrant images. 

 

Film

Ortigas Art Festival has long been championing new talent and collaborating with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) to showcase acclaimed Filipino films. There will be late-night movie screenings of award-winning films, Jopy Arnaldo’s Gitling, winner of Cinemalaya Best Screenplay in 2023;  Raya Martin’s Independencia, which received the Critics Award and Special Jury Award at the Valdivia International Film Festival in 2009; and Zig Dulay’s Firefly, which won at the 2024 Platinum Stallion National Media Awards for Director of the Year and Child Star of the Year, and at the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival for Best Picture, Best Screenplay and Best Child Performer; Kenneth Dagatan’s In My Mother’s Skin, premiered at Sundance Festival's "Midnight" section in 2023, it was the sole non-English-language film featured nominated as one of the Best Motion Pictures in Catalonian International Film Festival and Best Production Design Nominee in Gawad Urian Awards 2024.

 

Jose Maria Socorro Reyes, chairman and CEo of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, showcases the award-winning films that are showing in Ortigas Art Festival for free: "Gitling," "Independencias," "Firefly," and "In My Mother's Skin."

 

Attendees can also learn from FDCP experts, headed by their chairman and CEO Mr. Jose Maria Socorro J. Reyes at Ortigas Art Festival’s film talks.

 

Dance

One of the most amazing things about dance is that it’s a powerful way to express emotions and tell a story. The Halili-Cruz School of Ballet and Step by Step Performing Arts Studio will show Ortigas Art Festival attendees how dance has provided young girls and boys an outlet for their creative expression.

 

Ortigas Art Festival 2024 features many acclaimed galleries and organizations with thousands of local artists eager to showcase their works, as well as a wide range of workshops. There’s so much to offer visitors, especially young artists, who want to marvel at the beautiful works on display. Visitors can also purchase one-of-a-kind artworks for their homes.

 

Don’t miss these different expressions of art and storytelling at the seventh Ortigas Art Festival from July 18 to August 18 at Estancia Mall East Wing. Visitors can also express their love for art and their Ortigas Art Festival comments on the Expression Wall.

 

For more information and updates, like and follow Estancia Mall on Facebook. Sign up for the Ortigas Community Card via the Ortigas Malls app to get first dibs on amazing deals, discounts, and perks.

 

***

Check out the complete list of exhibitors, films, and performers for Ortigas Art Festival 2024: “Art for All: A Celebration of Borderless Artistic Expression” below. For more details, check out the Ortigas Art Festival information sheet here.

 

Visual Arts

● Agos Studio
● Linangan Art Residency
● Angono Artists Association
● Angono Ateliers Association
● Grupo Sining Angono
● Lambana Angono
● Women Artists Collective
● Kuta Artgroup
● The Blanco Art Group
● Neo Angono Artists Collective
● Gallery Genesis
● vMeme Contemporary Art Gallery
● Philippine Guild of Watercolorists
● Pasig Art Club

Film

● Film Development Council of the Philippines

Photography

● RedLab Gallery
● Ortigas Foundation

Dance, Music, Theatre Arts

● Halili-Cruz School of Ballet
● Step by Step Performing Arts Studio

 

Hope Comes to Muzon: New Classrooms for Brighter Futures

Every Filipino child deserves a space where they can learn, grow, and dream without limits. Yet for millions of students nationwide, the rea...