Archives: Artists

Cesar Victor “Cid” P. Reyes is a distinguished Filipino artist, art critic, author, and scholar whose prolific career spans more than five decades. He is recognized as one of the Philippines’ most influential voices in both creative practice and art discourse, uniquely bridging the worlds of visual art and critical writing.

Reyes earned his Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from De La Salle University in Manila. He then received a grant from the Italian government to study painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, Italy, and later pursued art history studies at the City Lit Institute in London, England—experiences that shaped his dual career as a creator and critic.

As an artist, Reyes has held more than 20 solo exhibitions since his first show in 1969 at Joy Dayrit’s Print Gallery in Manila. His work navigates abstraction and rhythmic geometric forms, reflecting an evolving artistic language that blends expressive color, form, and movement. His painting practice encompasses everything from action painting-inspired works to precise geometric compositions.

Reyes is equally celebrated as a prolific art critic and author. He won the Grand Prize in the Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) art criticism competition in 1979, which launched his lifelong engagement in art writing. He authored the landmark book Conversations on Philippine Art, a foundational work of interviews with key figures in Philippine visual arts, and penned over 500 pieces in his decade-long weekly column “Gallery Hopping” for TODAY newspaper.

Reyes has written and co-authored dozens of books on Philippine artists, including coffee-table monographs on National Artists such as Arturo Luz, Benedicto Cabrera (BenCab), J. Elizalde Navarro, and Napoleon Abueva, and numerous titles on other influential Filipino painters and sculptors. He also contributed to authoritative collections like Tanaw: The Central Bank Art Collection and Herencia: The BPI Art Collection.

Among his many accolades, Reyes was named Art Critic of the Year, received the Most Outstanding Kapampangan in the Arts from the Government of Pampanga, and won a GOLD Trophy at the American Business Awards for his coffee-table book MVP: The Man and His Art—a first for a Philippine art book to earn such international distinction.

Beyond his exhibitions and writings, Reyes has played a key role in documenting Philippine art history. He is actively involved in preserving oral histories of Filipino artists, including digitizing decades of recorded interviews for future generations.

He graduated with a BFA from University of Santo tomas. He is best known for his abstract colorful paintings and mental sculptures. His “Dancing Rings” won the Grand Prize in the international Sport and Art Contest during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His other well-known sculpture series are Ballerina, Dance of the Rings, and Bosom. He won the Gold Medal at the UNESCO International Calendar Design Competition in France in 1982. He also won a prize at the Moscow Olympic Poster Design in 1980, and the AAP Annual Competition in 1978.

When you meet the world of Noel Nieva Villafuerte’s paintings your first impression is, that here you have an artist delivering his inner world in pictures and not words. It’s is as if you are confronted with his instincts his irrational and creating forces. Ad if ancient universal signals are emerging in new deeply personal pictures. Faces mask and especially the especially the eye that sees recurs in many pictures. The signs can be as well symbolic as surreal. You are carried around in several corners of the emotional spectrum e.g. delight, eroticism, curiosity, anxiety and powerlessness. The pictures are telling stories in a mode of expression, ranging from tight compositions to free dynamic movements. In the main part of the pictures colors are combines with a strong graphic expression. Basically we meet a spontaneous abstract pictorial expression. An expression which has it’s roots in Noel Ancestry – Philippines – but it is also to find at the artist group COBRA from the mid 1900 COBRA was as association of artist from CO- Copenhagen BR- Brussels and A- Amsterdam, as in COBRA Noel is working with something original and unspoiled. You are meeting a lovely fantasy world.

Jack  Salud first entered the Philippine art scene in 1996 when he was invited by GALLERY GENESIS to participate in the gallery’s annual watercolour exhibition entitled KULAY SA TUBIG held at SM Megamall’s ART CENTER. In 1997, Jack C. Salud mounted his first solo exhibit at the AYALA MUSEUM in Makati City. Entitled Love, Love songs And Lullabies, the art exhibit showcased 17 large scale masterpieces all rendered in Pointillism using acrylic on canvas. It was the late Imelda Cojuanco who cut the ribbon to open the art exhibit. Subsequently, he received the prestigious commission to design the  Ayala Museum’s Christmas Cards that year. In 1999, Jack C. Salud opened his first international solo exhibit in Roppongi, Japan held at the newly renovated multipurpose hall of  Philippine Embassy . The  exhibit was a project of the former Philippine First Lady Dra. Loi Estrada as part of the Philippine-Japan cultural exchange. In 2002, Jack C. Salud was chosen by the Philippine Daily Inquirer  to be one of the 20 Filipino painters to paint the life-size “Guyito” sculptures – PDI’s official mascot, in celebration of the publication’s 20^th anniversary. That same year, Jack C. Salud was named by the Philippine Daily Inquirer as one of THE BEST IN PHILIPPINE ART IN 2005 (PDI January 2, 2006 issue), together with Bencab, Malang, Fernando Sena, Lydia Velasco and others.

Jack C. Salud was one of the 30 Filipino painters, headed by Manuel Baldemor, who contributed their respective interpretations of the  “PHILIPPINE MADONNA” which won in the stamp design contest of the Union Internationale, Contre La Tuberculose Es Les Maldies Respiratoires held in Paris, France 2005.

In 2006, Jack C. Salud mounted his second international solo exhibit (31^st solo exhibit) at the prestigious MORI ART MUSEUM, Tokyo, Japan. The event was hosted by the late Ambassador Domingo Siason in celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the Philippine- Japan Friendship Year. Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado was the guest of honor of the exhibit.

To date, Jack C. Salud has held 32 solo exhibits in various leading galleries in the country. His 32^nd exhibit was held at the ALTROMONDO CONTEMPORANEO gallery in Greenbelt 5 last 2010.

Eman M. Santos (b. 1978, Manila, Philippines) is a contemporary Filipino visual artist widely recognized for his distinctive Money Tree series and spiritually inspired compositions that explore the interconnection between faith, prosperity, and human aspiration.

Working primarily in acrylic and mixed media, Santos is known for his dynamic textures, vibrant chromatic language, and symbolic imagery. His works often feature stylized trees, currency motifs, and sacred iconography, creating visually rich narratives that reflect themes of abundance, hope, gratitude, and devotion. Through his art, Santos proposes a harmonious balance between material success and spiritual fulfillment, offering viewers a contemplative space where prosperity and faith coexist.

Santos has exhibited extensively both locally and internationally, with shows in the Philippines, Italy, the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, Luxembourg, and Singapore. His accolades include the prestigious International Prize Donatello in Florence, Italy, awards from the Art Association of the Philippines, and distinctions from the GSIS National Art Competition. His works are part of numerous private and corporate collections worldwide.

Through a visual language that is both accessible and profound, Eman Santos continues to shape a contemporary Filipino artistic identity rooted in optimism, symbolism, and cultural resonance.

Awards & Recognition

Major Awards

• International Prize Donatello – Florence, Italy (Prestigious International Art Award)
• 2nd Prize – GSIS National Art Competition (2014)
• Finalist – GSIS National Art Competition (2016)
• Natatanging Pintor na Tagataguyod ng Sining Biswal (2016)
• Finalist – Art Association of the Philippines Annual Competition
• First Filipino Artist to Win 3 Awards in 3 Categories in One Night – AAP Annual Art Competition

Exhibitions (Selected)

Philippines

• Manila Art (The National Art Fair) – SMX Aura, Taguig
• Multiple solo and group exhibitions nationwide

International

• Florence, Italy
• Bologna, Italy
• London, UK – Chelsea Gallery, Wimbledon Art Gallery
• Vienna, Austria – Museum of Young Art
• Berlin, Germany – Urania Museum
• Luxembourg
• Singapore – Philippine Embassy Art Exhibitions

He studied Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education major in Industrial Arts (2003), Bachelor of Fine Arts major in Advertising (2011)

 “ I paint not to be SEEN but to SEE and let other people SEE as well”. Painting is an avenue where in I believe I can freely channel or express my ideas regarding certain subjects, issues and commentaries. I believe my art will always be a part of history in its humble way, history perceived through my own unique world and express it through my own verse.

Judeo’s works may not even be decorative or described as pretty. What makes these pieces come alive is its narrative is deeply rooted on his experiences channeled through his own artistic terms; from an artist who is not a product of your typical western fine arts degree or from the current city art scene.

A subject void of color which is almost stainless in effect may not be of sadness or of blandness but of liberation. Judeo’s careful attention to his hues, how colors are well coordinated against his images as his imagery continuously evolves, his involvement digs deeper and his palette becomes more gray in urban treatment. 

A born Filipino artist in the heart-shape province of Marinduque, Jesse Hands Espalana is experiencing that joys of liberation as a self taught artist. Now in his 5th Solo Art Exhibition, “UNINHIBITED”. Like any inborn artist, he transpired art like any other art genra. His painting are poetic and a narrative story in nature of which he fears not of what his works look like for it is open for public appreciation. Behind the mindstream, maybe few knows his work is an inner contemplation of his personal happiness, struggles and experiences that pushes him in the state of total liberation. Though Jesse is very conscious of his freedom as a visual artist and much aware of any constraints, it serves as an opportunity to  let him express more freely; fearing not of public criticism of his works that are  roughly done  with finishing touches of textured impression and with  boldness mannerism. For some portrait artists and figurist, everything goes with their individual experiences with the model from changing moods, contours and positions has to be recorded, but Jesse don’t bother it much, for as long as he captured the subject in his own interpretative rendition. His works he knows it is done with an inner feeling of satisfaction. That’s how his collectors felt the connectivity of Jesse’s aggressiveness and unique movement in doing his art. Jesse usual gesture are like chopping, slicing, throwing, tapping and punching of acrylic colors through his brushes and palette which somehow reflects his personality as a graduate in a Culinary Art and a chef with experiences in international demands.

 His art narrate us his simple contemporary world as a chef; see his painting of hanged pork in a slaughter house, a series of cup of coffee; usually rendered in missy table and having an impression of canvases with patches and stain bloods of meat, chopped ingredients like onions and garlic splattered well.  This uniqueness kept him flavored for years appreciation by many collectors  in Australia, America, New Zealand, Europe and Asian countries. Adding points, his painting was once auction in Azamara Quest  Cruise Line.

Dennis Enriquez de Jesus or simply Denz to his friends hails from Quezon City and has been living in the said city since then. He has no formal education in arts. It was his grandfather – a professional photographer and his father – a draftsman/cartoonist who inspired him to pursue a profession in arts. He sprang doodling at an early age of 8, which eventually directed him to create abstract paintings. Notable masters in their field like Jose Joya, Ang Kiukok, Cesar Legaspi, Federico Alcuaz, and Romeo Tabuena are a few stars Dennis looks up to. These art figures’ peculiar styles were considerably apparent in Denz’s earlier works, though he is deliberately discovering his distinctive approach. Denz is looking forward to having more significant art shows in the future as he is currently gearing towards a bigger and bolder style in acrylics, which can be observed in his artistic repertoire.

SALVADOR “ Buddy “ J. CHING is a full time multi-awarded Painter,Installation & Performance Artist.

A graduate from the University of Sto Tomas with a degree of Fine Arts Major in Painting, One of the Five Philippine Representative to the Third ASEAN Youth Painting Workshop & Exhibition in Indonesia, and moved on to the Asian Biennale Art Exhibition in Havana Cuba, Bangladesh, Seoul Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand & New York USA. He received numerous Awards & Citations in Major Art Competition in the country. Has had 12 One-Man Show to date, held in Cultural Center of the Phils, Dela Salle Art Gallery, Bulacan Museum, Big&Small Gallery-Megamall , Boston Gallery-Cubao, Art Verité-Serendra BGC & SIXINCH Ronac Art Center-San Juan, Mandaluyong City. A co- Founder of Bahaghari ng Malolos, Former VP Art Association of the Phils., Former VP Lakan Sining ng Bulacan, Member of The Saturday Group of Artist & Association of Pinoy Print Makers.

One of the resource person of Sining sa Eskwela and CCP – UNICEF Art Therapy Workshop, held in different provinces in the Philippines under Cultural Center of the Phils.( CCP ) ,“ Art for Wellness Program” Career Executive Service Board (CESB) & Project HeART: Art Therapy Program by Metrobank Foundation’s Metrobank Art & Design Excellence- Network of Winners ( MADE-N.O.W.)

Former Executive Committee Member of National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Committee on Visual Arts.

A architect, Artist, Sculptor since (1984-)

Dangue is licensed and practicing Architect in the Philippines who dabbled with sculpture after winning in MADE Art competition in the Philippines with his toothpick sculpture. His major works described as “uniquely Asian take on the nature (organic of modernist sculpture”. Treating sculpture as a functional one. Belief on the unification of sculpture, industrial design and architecture can bring birth to a new form and period of arts.

“Dangue has been consistent in his abstract expressionisim. The act of creating sculptures allows Dangue not only creative espression, but also regenerative retospection. By channelling his energy into the act of creating, he enables himself the ability to retrospect, and more importantly, to attach positive meaning to experience”.