The Anthem Philatelist

The Tubô Cebu Art Fair's 2025 theme, "Provenance," explores the origins and history of Cebuano art, prompting artists and attendees to reflect on the influences and journeys that shape the creative landscape. The fair, happening August 29-31 at Ayala Center Cebu , emphasizes the importance of understanding the past to inform the future of Cebuano art . What Is the Tubô Cebu Art Fair? Tubò is an annual Regional Art Fair in Cebu launched in 2018, Tubô (meaning "growth" in Cebuano) is the brainchild of businessman and entrepreneur  Allen Arvin Tan and organized by the Arts Council of Cebu Foundation , the oldest and still-active arts council in the Philippines . It aims to spotlight and nurture the growing community of regional and Visayan artists. A Platform for Artists & Art Lovers Tubô provides a supportive environment for creativity—offering exhibitions, trades, talks, and affordable art sales for both beginning and serious collectors . Community-Driven ...

In Every Brushstroke, A Memory. In Every Image, A Voice. "Echoes Of Expression" Brings Together A Distinguished Group Of Filipino Artists Whose Diverse Techniques And Visions Reflect The Enduring Resonance Of Artistic Voice Across Style, Aesthetic And Generation. This Exhibition Serves As A Contemplative Dialogue Between Form And Feeling- where Jun Rocha, Vic Bachoco, Jess A. Dinglasa, John A. Dinglasa, Reynan D. Dingal, Benjamin D. Goyha, Jose Kimsoy Yap Jr., And Luther M. Galicano II Present Works That Speak Beyond The Canvas. Each Piece Holds A Personal Story, Yet Together, They Create A Collective Pulse- echoes That Reverberate With Cultural Memory, Visual Poetry, And The Quiet Persistence Of The Filipino Fine Arts. From Realist Precision To Expressive Abstraction, The Exhibit Celebrates A Shared Commitment To Truth In Representation And Depth In Feeling. These Are Works That Reverberate And Resonate -leaving An After-sound In The Heart Of The Viewer to Discover More.

 The National Women’s Month Celebration has its roots in the recognition of International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8th, a historical event stemming from the organizing efforts of women in the early 20th Century. Between 1909 and 1911, working women in the United States, united under  the National Women’s Trade Union League and other groups, protested against low wages, lack of protective legislation, and harsh working conditions. These demonstrations were a response to the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in March 1911 in New York City, claiming the lives of over 140 working girls, primarily Italian and Jewish immigrants. The subsequent observances of International Women’s Day invoked the appalling working conditions and unfair labor practices leading up to the disaster. The 2024 National Women’s Month Celebration aims to capitalize on the recurring theme “WE for gender equality and inclusive society,” introduced in 2023. This theme, launched to renew commitment to...

    PAGTAMBAYAYONG In cooperatiom with  THE ROTARY CLUB CEBU FUENTE NUSTAR RESORT   AND ICanServe     A Fund Raising October 2, 2023 4:00PM Exhibitors: Friday Group Sessionistas ArkiSketchers Celso Pepito   John Dinglasa  Jess Dinglasa Fe Madrid Pepito   Cesar Castillo Michael Dondoyano Zapphire Benedict Jayme Pilar Sala Richel Torres Antonio Vidal Marlone Ylanan ArtPortalCebu Gallery and The Medical Art Group of Artists With special participation of Fred Galan and Jose " Kimsoy" Yap, Jr. Second Level, The Mall, NUSTAR Resort and Casino, South Road Properties, Cebu City For the benefit of IcanServe Exhibit runs until October 31, 2023

In the autumn of 2013, a group exhibit and art residency in Paris became a shared experience of a band of Cebuano artists that became MUGNA . With this cherished experience and in celebration of the coming Philippine-France Friendship Day on June 26, this exhibit is proudly presented. These select group of artists, now mostly in the academe , came from different groups and represent a wide range of stylistic tendencies that somehow reflect the diversity of contemporary art in Cebu. Except for the Cebuano Master Jose Kimsoy Yap , most of the artists selected then like Melver Mercado , Sio Montera ,  Felix Catarata , Marvin Natural , Joshua Cabrera , Palmy Pe-Tudtud , Gigi Ocampo and Radel Paredes were in their mid-career and active in the local art scene. The group decided to name themselves Mugna (Cebuano for “creation” or “to create”), thinking of a common Cebuano words they could leave to their French freinds to remember. ‭This exhibit marks the first ten (Dix) years of Mugna...

    Catch the works of Master Celso Pepito , Fe Madrid Pepito , Leodito Bongo III , Cesar Cabase Castillo , Jose Kimsoy Yap Jr. , Ruel Rosello , Mean Mustard (Amihan), Tina Marie Gandionco , Jovi Garcia Neri , Marlowe Villagonzalo and many more at the CHH Art Exhibit for a cause presented by the Hearts of Gold Foundation Inc. The exhibit will have its opening on Valentines Day February 14 at 1 pm Chong Hua Mandaue upper ground floor. The exhibit runs until February 24. See you there!

  One of the "desirable" things the pandemic accorded us was solitude. Solitude brings silence, and with silence comes stillness. Silence ( Matthew 6:5-8 ) eliminates the external secular noise, and stillness ( Psalm 46:10 ) the internal mental chatter (guilt, worry, too busy with earthly concerns). These attenuates the voices of the flesh; worship becomes effortless and  the mind more attuned to the Spirit of God , making creativity, a shared trait of God and men, conducive.  Praying in the Spirit necessitates that one is continually connected to God. If this connection is cut by sin, one has to pray to reconnect. Christians must maintain this connection for prayer to be effective. We pray for God's will to be done and that He be merciful to humanity whom He loves inspite of them undeserving of His love.  If we ask for something and is not given, it isn't God's will and He might give you something better. So, just be patient and continue to pray. We lost God...

Bliss (BooNana) , 15" x 20", Pencil Sketch, 2009 Jose "Kimsoy" Yap Jr . was born on March 7, 1944 in Bindoy , Negros Oriental , Philippines. Graduated from the Cebu Institute of Technology with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Architecture , he then continued and studied painting at the National Academy of Design School of Fine Arts in New York. He also taught at the University of San Carlos and Cebu Academy of Arts.    His art journey started with hardships together with renowned sculptor, painter, novelist and architect Arsenio "Arsing" Abella . In 2017, both had a reunion exhibit, Art Biography at Manila Art Frames - the first gallery they exhibited in 1969. Later, with ease together with eminent Samboan artist  Benji Goyha , whom he bonded owing to a shared vision for art promotion , tourism and mentoring of young Cebuano artists. Both organized art workshops and excursions in Cebu province especially in Goyha's hometown Samboan .   ...

As its commitment to further promote Cebu’s historical past and Cebuano philately, the Cebu Stamp Club, Incorporated (CSCI) with the cooperation of the Cebu City Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC) decided to pursue a historical philatelic presentation on the Battle of Tres de Abril . This project was hatched during the early week of May 1997. To give more weight for our request to the Stamp Advisory Committee, CSCI’s Richard Allan Uy informed Ms. Patricia “Noeng” Perez of CHAC that a City Council resolution is needed.   Immediately thereafter, a formal letter was sent to the City Government of Cebu by CSCI President Richard Allan Uy. The Cebu City Council wasted no time in acting for our request and unanimously passed Resolution No. 3258 during the regular session held at the Sangguniang Panglungsod of the City of Cebu on June 02, 1997.    The mayor at that time, Alvin Garcia , affixed his signature on June 13, 1997. The Cebu City Government sent a c...

CEBU is going to Malaysia through the colors of the rainbow. Twelve Cebuano artists, under the auspices of Artistscebuex , is bringing the festival city of Cebu to Malaysia through an exhibit dubbed “ Cebu: People, Places and Faces .”    Hosted by ArtMalaysia in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia, the exhibit aims to strengthen the cultural and artistic linkages between the two countries through visual arts. The project was launched early in July with an art exhibit at the second level of Banilad Town Centre. Here are the 12 participating artists.    Celso Duazo Pepito , one of Cebu’s leading artists and the proponent of Artistscebuex, believes that visual artists have the capacity to help promote tourism by depicting scenes that would entice people to visit. “The exhibit will not just promote art but also Cebu,” he said. “It is a merger between art and tourism.” A philosopher by heart, he is known to inject his ideals on human values and integrit...

Cesar Castillo was born and raised in Cebu City . Though he had shown interest in arts, he ended up taking Mechanical Engineering course in the University of the Visayas in 1986 just to fulfill the request of his parents. After graduation, he worked as a quality controller in the glass plant department of San Miguel Corporation , Cebu branch situated in Mandaue City   Though busy with his works, he always found time to develop his artistic skills, turning his free time into opportunities for learning.    As his artistic quest evolved, he started to find self-confidence in every painting he created thus giving him the privilege to slowly expose his art to Cebu's art patron and enthusiast. His first art teacher was Cebuano master cubist , Celso Duazo Pepito but he was personally mentored by Jose Kimsoy Yap Jr. , who taught him the notion of "less is more" and "not all has to be seen".   Giving in to the clamor for artistic expression, Cesar  Castillo ...