The Anthem Philatelist

In the vibrant ecosystem of Cebuano art, the lineage of mentorship acts as the lifeblood of regional mastery. At the heart of this lineage stands Jose “Kimsoy” Yap Jr. , a towering figure in Philippine art celebrated for his ethereal command over watercolor, expressive landscapes, and meticulous use of line and space. Having studied under the legendary "Dean of Cebuano Painters," Martino Abellana , and later at the National Academy of Design in New York, Yap synthesized classical discipline with a modern sensitivity to light and atmosphere.  He belongs to the Cebu Siete , an elite group of seven Cebu-based master artists who have have found their way into the Manila market and other parts of the globe. The rest include Adeste Deguilmo , Fred Galan , Jun Impas , Mar Vidal , Celso Duazo Pepito and Orly Ypon . However, a master’s true magnitude is measured not only by his own canvases but also by the generations he inspires. Through his dedicated instruction and mentorship, Yap...

  Tatz Lee  (Maria Carmen Lee) is a rapidly rising contemporary Filipino visual artist celebrated for her luminous landscapes and deeply spiritual paintings that serve as visual prayers. Balancing an early passion for music with fine art, she took up drawing in 2017 before transitionally adopting wet mediums like oil and acrylic by 2021. Today, her name is closely tied to evocative, soul-stirring oil, mixed media, and watercolor works that explore the themes of faith, hope, and divine creation - these contextualizes her artistic journey, signature themes, and growing legacy in the contemporary art world. In a frantic and heavily digitized world, art often serves as the final frontier for silence and reflection. Among the rising voices in contemporary Philippine art who masterfully cultivate this space is Tatz Lee . A painter who explicitly views her practice as an offering of gratitude to her faith, Lee has established a unique niche through landscapes that transcend physical...

  Great works of Art never truly belong to the past.  They continue to live through the artists they inspire, finding voices, new meanings and new audiences across generations. Echoes of the Masters presents a compelling exhibition where contemporary engage in future dialogue with the masterpieces that shaped the history of art.  Through distinct perspectives and deeply personal, each work becomes homage and renewal- demonstrating that artistic legacy is not preserved through repetition, but through continual transformation. Featured artists- Romulo Galicano , Luther Galicano, Jonathan Abellana, Audie Estrellada , JP Abejar, Seven Snow, Ariel Caratao, Ramon de Dios, Carly Florido , Publio Briones, J-art Menguito, Clint Normandia, Kevin Serad, Mar Vidal, Marlowe Villagonzalo , Jonathan Galicano, Boy Auditor, Cesar Montano, Richard Gomez, Ruth Lozada, Walter Vestil . Cañete, Auditor, Estrellada, Serad, Vidal, 7Snow, J. Galicano, Briones, R.Galicano, Florido, Caratao, Mengu...

  Kapit, Watercolor, 9"x 12", 2022 The rhythmic scraping of a palette knife against canvas, the rich scent of oil paint clashing with the aroma of ramen from nearby Rai Rai , and a quiet, unassuming man completely absorbed in his craft—this is the enduring image of Luther Galicano at a mall in Cebu where I first met him. To the casual shopper navigating the mall’s bustling corridors, he was once a hidden gem creating masterworks in plain sight. Today, his brilliance has found its rightful platform as an in-house artist at Galerie Raphael , a milestone that formally anchors his reputation as an exceptional draftsman and a brilliant custodian of Cebuano art . What immediately draws viewers to Galicano’s work is his profound mastery of rural Cebuano scenes and seascapes . In an era dominated by hyper-modern and often detached art forms, his canvases offer a soulful sanctuary. He captures the vibrant, sun-drenched spirit of the Visayan countryside—the rustic charm of nipa huts...