Galleria Duemila marks 50 Years with a landmark Masters Collection

AVANTI, SEMPRE AVANTI / FORWARD, ALWAYS FORWARD, celebrating 50 Years of Philippine Modern Art from 1975 to 2025, opens on January 13, 2026 and runs until March 14, 2026 at Galleria Duemila, located at 210 Loring Street, Pasay City, Metro Manila.

Founded on December 5, 1975, Galleria Duemila commemorates its golden anniversary as the longest-running art gallery in the Philippines. The milestone exhibition brings together works by 37 distinguished artists whose creative journeys are closely intertwined with the gallery’s founder, Silvana Ancellotti-Diaz. Many of these relationships grew beyond professional collaboration into lifelong friendships, formed through a shared commitment to shaping and advancing the Philippine contemporary art scene. Alongside hundreds of artists supported over the decades, these masters helped define the gallery’s enduring legacy.

The two-month celebration presents a compelling selection of paintings, mixed media works, works on paper, and sculptures, many of which have rarely or never been seen by younger generations of artists, collectors, students, educators, and art enthusiasts. Created between 1957 and 2018, the featured pieces were intuitively selected from Galleria Duemila’s extensive archive and collection. Together, they reflect the gallery’s founding philosophy of championing art not for fame or market value, but for its ability to surprise, challenge, bewilder, and spark curiosity. The exhibition invites viewers into an art world shaped by Ancellotti-Diaz’s unwavering passion for Philippine modern art and her instinctive eye for works that resonate deeply and endure.

In conjunction with the exhibition, public walk-throughs and panel discussions with writers and artists will be held from January to March 2026, offering audiences deeper insight into the works on view and the evolving narrative of Philippine modern art.

The exhibition features works by Pacita Abad, Leopoldo “Lee” Aguinaldo II, Ray Albano, Augusto “Gus” Albor, Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, Nunelucio Alvarado, Agnes Arellano, May Baddour, Santiago Bose, Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera, Eduardo Castrillo, Roberto “Bobby” Chabet, Charlie Co, Ramon Manuel “R.M.” de Leon, Duddley Diaz, Isabel Diaz, Lamberto Hechanova, Jose Joya, Lao Lianben, Raul Lebajo, Cesar Legaspi, Julie Lluch, Arturo Luz, Jerry Elizalde Navarro, Justin Nuyda, Hernando Ruiz “H.R.” Ocampo, Manuel Ocampo, Romulo Olazo, Onib Olmedo, Imelda “Impy” Pilapil, Juvenal Sanso, Mauro “Malang” Santos, Solomon Saprid, Nestor Vinluan, Betsy Westendorp, Luis “Junyee” Yee Jr., and Phyllis Zaballero.

Since its establishment in 1975, Galleria Duemila has remained dedicated to the promotion of Philippine modern and contemporary art. The gallery holds an extensive collection of paintings, prints, and sculptures, and offers services such as conservation and restoration of artworks ranging from the 16th century to contemporary pieces, as well as consultation, commissions, and installations. Founded by Silvana Ancellotti-Diaz, Italian by heart and Filipino by art, the gallery was envisioned as a platform to introduce Filipino artists locally and within the ASEAN region. It is also known for handling rare works by early 20th-century modern masters including Fernando Amorsolo, Fernando Zóbel, H.R. Ocampo, Vicente Manansala, Jose Joya, and Cesar Legaspi, while continuing to showcase both local and international artists of the current generation.

For inquiries and updates, Galleria Duemila may be reached via email at gduemila@gmail.com and through its official Facebook and Instagram pages.

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The Manila Hotel reopens Heritage Museum

The Manila Hotel Heritage Museum

The Manila Hotel reopens Heritage Museum following extensive enhancements aimed at delivering a more engaging historical experience. Located at the lobby level of the iconic hotel, the revamped museum presents a newly curated collection of artifacts, documents, and interactive displays that highlight the hotel’s role in Philippine history, culture, and hospitality since 1912.

The Heritage Museum showcases the hotel’s architectural and cultural legacy, notable guests, world leaders, and contributions to society over the past century. Previously unseen photographs and antique décor pieces are now on display, giving visitors a closer look at the milestones that shaped The Manila Hotel’s legacy. New additions include digital installations, the hotel’s oldest surviving menu, and a curated display of antique furniture, among others.

“The Heritage Museum is more than a walk through the past, it’s a way of honoring The Manila Hotel and its intertwined relationship with the history of our country. Every piece you’ll see here was chosen to reflect our story as a living landmark,” said Rachy Cuna, The Manila Hotel’s social director and design consultant.

Designed for both history enthusiasts and casual visitors, the Heritage Museum reflects the hotel’s ongoing commitment to preserving its legacy.

The Heritage Museum is open daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. For guided tours or additional information, guests may contact Guest Services at +632 8527 0011 or +632 5301 5500, or email guestservices@themanilahotel.com.

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The Space Museum - SM City North Edsa's new multimedia art destination

Looking for something new and exciting to do north of the metro? SM City North Edsa just launched The Space Museum, a multi-media art destination perfect for content creators and fun seekers.

Marvel at the beauty of space in "Celestial Cracks"

With nine themed transitions from “The Portal” to “Off-Course”, this 4D space odyssey invites you to explore the universe's mysteries – inside the mall.

Best of all, passes for four (4) are FREE with a minimum single or accumulated purchase worth P1,500 from partner tenants. Additionally, every SM Cinema ticket purchase is given one pass. 

Share your awe-inspiring moments at the Space Museum by posting content on TikTok with the hashtag #SpaceMuseumAtSMNorth. Get a chance to be featured on SM Supermalls' and SM City North Edsa's social media accounts, too.

Don’t miss this cosmic adventure called The Space Museum at The Block, SM City North Edsa from June 1 to August 31.

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MUSEO ORLINA: Through the glass

It was a day for the visual arts as I came upclose to a rising museum in Tagaytay City featuring the works of Mr. Ramon Orlina -- a one of a kind artist that gives eye candy with a clear perspective through glass art. Mr. Ramon Orlina is a recognized glass sculptor with works that can be seen in different parts of the Philippines. He is also recognized as one of People Asia's People of the Year for his creative works. Did you know that he is even nominated as a National Artist for Visual Arts, along with Carlo J. Caparas and others in the roster today?

Mr. Ramon Orlina - (L) portrait

His museum, Museo Orlina, is home to his best works and for new art to come which are for us to appreciate the effort and creativity that Mr. Ramon Orlina has put to his original pieces. Just located near the Olivares rotunda, the site is cannot be missed. Overlooking the majestic Taal Lake, the glistening waters also reflects and radiated in each and every glass sculpture inside the museum.

Inside this museum, you will see 4 floors of sculptures and paintings. A pure appreciation of visual arts from different artists collaborating in one extravagant display. There are also Renaissance-inspired pieces that you definitely want to take your photo with like this Pieta.

Across the halls are different pieces of Ramon Orlina. Lit from the center glowing like magic. The pieces were made from imported materials made into shape by diamond cutting. The piece is etched, smoothed and polished into remarkable art that we can see today.

More about Mr. Orlina. He is an architect by profession, graduated in the University of Santo Tomas. So that you can see the miniature of Quaddromontial, in memoriam of UST's 400th anniversary, in the museum. Busts of prominent personalities like Piolo Pascual and Corazon Aquino - not to mention an impression of Ms. Pilita Corrales' body leaning when singing is also seen in the display.

Mr. Ramon Orlina also has other collaborations with renowned National Artists like Bencab. At the parking area of the museum, there's a "Sabel" beetle.

Museo Orlina is one place where you can really express your artistry. Mr. Ramon Orlina also supports performing arts in the make shift garden stage located below the building. It also displays more art and can fit around 200 people celebrating music and art, plus the wonderful view of Taal Lake.

If you want to visit Museo Orlina, it is located at Hollywood Subdivision Rd., Brgy. Tolentino East, Hollywood Subd., Tagaytay City. Entrance is Php100 for Adults and Professionals and Php80 for students and senior citizens. Open Tuesdays to Sundays and closed on Mondays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. For bookings, contact Ms. Haidee Bedruz, (M) +63 906 434 0862 or (T) (046) 413 2581. (E) info@museo-orlina.org.

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