Tucked at the end of Pag-Ibig Street near Tagaytay Public Market, Ezra Viniti Resort gives you a quiet retreat, allowing you to escape from the noise of Metro Manila and even from the bustle of common Tagaytay destinations. But what’s even more remarkable is how Ezra Viniti Resort is designed around nature, with sustainability and […]
‘Lakbay: Voyages Into the Absolute’ and the Legacy of Nena Saguil
Lakbay: Voyages Into the Absolute provides a recontextualization of artist Nena Saguil in our modern sociopolitical context. The exhibit, organized by The Art House, includes some never-before-seen works by Nena Saguil, a pioneering figure in Filipino abstract art. Saguil did much of her work abroad in Paris. In this exhibit, she becomes a vehicle to discuss the Philippine diaspora experience as it relates to art.
![[From Left] Art House founder Carlo Pineda, artist Kulay Labitigan, curator Marika Constantino, The Nena Saguil Foundation head Benjamin Sanguil, and Maritess Pineda. Photo by Elle Yap.](https://bluprint-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/20250127_160700.jpg)
Lakbay features nine Filipino artists based outside of the Philippines. Together they pay tribute and re-evaluate Saguil’s legacy in the pantheon of Filipino history through this connection. But more importantly, it opens up further conversations about the Philippine diaspora experience and the way these experiences fit into Filipino history and culture as a whole.
Exhibit curator Marika Constantino said that they had to give crash courses to the artists about Nena Saguil so that they could appreciate her contributions to the art world. Constantino felt it was important to connect these artists to local culture to better understand their roots.
“In relation to the arts, we do recognize that there are a number of artists, Filipino artists, who are establishing their practices abroad,” she said. “These are important people for us to learn from or for us to know about. It’s a two-way thing. And they also have this compelling need to know more about their roots. So, that exchange is important.”
The Philippine Diaspora and Filipino Art
Lakbay: Voyages Into the Absolute assembles the following artists for the exhibit: Jana Benitez, Rose Cameron, Kim Cruz, Lizza May David, Wayne Lacson Forte, Marissa Gonzalez, Racso Jagarap, Kulay Labitigan, and Jaclyn Reyes. Constantino relays the importance of highlighting the voices of the diaspora in the Filipino art scene.
“ I think, for any person who identifies himself or herself as part- or full-Filipino, we need to hear their voices. It’s not up to us to define who they are or where they’re supposed to be,” Constantino said. “For us, as the audience, I think it’s [very] important that we’re open to hear what they’re trying to say and hear what those voices are saying.”
The works submitted find inspiration in the abstraction that Nena Saguil pioneered, while capturing the diaspora experience of modern artists. Kim Cruz, for example, was inspired by Saguil’s monochromatic works for her contribution to the exhibit.
Artists like Jana Benitez and Lizza May David utilizes similar gestural and conceptual nature to their works to discuss their personal experiences as Filipinos in another land. Kulay Labitigan, meanwhile, utilized fabrics and boxes to mimic balikbayan boxes. These boxes and the items we keep from them allow us to feel closeness with the people left behind.
Connecting Nena Saguil to Today’s Society
Altogether, these works speak to the nature of art as a communication tool between cultures. It’s especially pertinent for the people who were separated from the culture itself. Nena Saguil, in this regard, becomes an inspiration and a bridge to find these cultural similarities.
It’s why the concept of Lakbay: Voyages Into the Absolute was so important to The Art House founder Carlo Pineda. He said that they cold-called and sent proposals to some of these artists due to their belief in the concept. Pineda saw this as a way of inviting Filipino artists abroad to find and reconnect with their local community.
“What’s very important for us is [that] we hope that we can resonate to different Filipinos all over the world that are living [in] this diaspora,” Carlo Pineda said. He sees this as an expansion of The Art House’s goals of creating community engagement with people. But this time, it’s aimed towards artists on an international level.
“ Because what we want to create is a movement and an ecosystem that all these collaborative partners form part of that equation to make it stronger and stronger,” he said. “That’s the message that we want to get out there, that you can join this movement and you [can] be part of that community. And being part of that community, everyone there in that community is there to help each other.”
Lakbay: Voyages Into the Absolute opens on February 8 at the mezzanine of Discovery Primea.
Related reading: The Art House Curates Sustainable Murals in Circuit Makati
Art lovers can expect some new exciting additions to the upcoming 2025 edition of Art Fair Philippines. The organization announced a new venue space at the Ayala Triangle Gardens, moving away from their previous location at The Link Makati. They also announced their planned program of featured artists and events to entice art lovers into […]
A healthy and productive workforce is the cornerstone of any successful organization. And having a positive and conducive work environment is one of the strong influences to establishing it. Upholding this crucial fact, the MMS Maritime (Philippines) Inc. sought to create an office interior design that not only streamline business processes but also improve the […]
In today’s bustling world, the ultimate luxury often lies in the ability to truly enjoy staying in. The Estary House in Tivoli Royale Subdivision, Quezon City is a perfect embodiment of this philosophy. Crafted by IEO Studio Inc., this residence is a sanctuary where function and aesthetics coexist. Every detail is designed to anticipate every […]
What started as a budding enterprise in Chef Patrick Curitana’s own home has now expanded into a 138-square-meter restaurant with seating for 52 guests. The design of Los Tacos reflects this journey, mirroring the essence of its culinary offerings: authentic, evolving, and deeply personal. While the restaurant embraces its larger scale, it retains the warmth […]
Knowing the precise moment when to draw your sword requires all your senses. To strike with one fluid movement, clean the blade of blood and return the sword to its sheath takes years of training. This is the Japanese art form of Iai (short for Iaido) and is the name of the new restaurant of […]
Download this month's BLUPRINT magazine digital copy from:
Subscribe via [email protected]