By Marane A. Plaza
The dearest memory, love, nationhood, and identity of the Philippines are the core themes of the latest art curation by Salcedo Auctions titled “Finer Pursuits: Important Philippine Art & Rare Collectibles” — ahead of the upcoming auction event of the same title happening on June 6, 2026.
Salcedo Auctions, the Philippines’ premier auction house, presented last week the vernissage of the upcoming “Finer Pursuits” — featuring the what could’ve been a romance between our two national artists: painter Hernando R. Ocampo and dance artist Leonor Orosa-Goquingco.
A Story of Love Hidden in Art
The “Finer Pursuits” preview presented last week highlighted the two masterpieces of H.R. Ocampo — the 1953 “Mother and Child” and the 1949 “Arabesque“ — which he gifted to ballet choreographer Goquingco during their tumultous courtship back in the day. The paintings were presented by Dr. Benjamin Orosa Goquingco, the son of Leonor.
The auction event proper on Saturday is poised to fund the re-production of “Filipinescas,” the most famous theater ballet presentation choreographed by Leonor. It is to be performed by Ballet Philippines in April 2027, at either Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) or The Theatre at Solaire, according to Dr. Benjamin.
“It was my mom’s dying wish, for us to donate the art keepsakes for a cause like this. She said, ‘Don’t hold on to them. There’s a greater reward if you donate them because they are for the Filipino people’, that’s her wish,” Dr. Benjamin told STYLISH in an interview during the preview last week.
During the vernissage, the Ballet Philippines performed the pas de deux from “Filipinescas” by National Artist Goquingco.
Leonor is a pioneering Filipino dance artist and choreographer who was conferred the title of National Artist of the Philippines for Dance in 1976. She was affectionately called the “Mother of Philippine Theater Dance,” “Trailblazer,” and the “Dean of Filipino Performing Arts Critics.” She revolutionized the country’s performing arts by blending classical ballet with traditional Filipino folk dances, Asian styles, and modern themes.
Meanwhile, Hernando R. Ocampo is a National Artist of the Philippines, posthumously conferred the prestigious Order of National Artist for Visual Arts in 1991, thirteen years after his death in 1978.
History and Filipino Identity
Aside from the friendship and romance hidden in our precious Philippine art collection, the Filipino history and identity are at the center of the celebration, too.
Ahead of the Philippine Independence Day, the “Finer Pursuits” event by Salcedo Auctions is presenting very rare pieces from our rich heritage. Up for auction are 104 original photos from the 19th century, including what is believed to be the largest image of the Philippine national hero Jose Rizal during his execution in Luneta Park, Manila in 1896.
The auction will also present pieces from the most sought-after artists of the Philippines, such as Fernando Amorsolo, Malang, Fernando Zobel, Elmer Borlongan, Ronald Ventura, BenCab, and more.
You may follow or contact Salcedo Auctions on Instagram via @salcedoauctions for more info on the ‘Finer Pursuits’ auction event on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
———————————————————————-
Janeena Chan is on the cover of STYLISH Magazine right now. The multihyphenate media star, in-demand host, singer, actress, Sparkle artist, and our very own Stylish correspondent shares her journey as a modern Filipina-Chinese woman navigating her career in entertainment and lifestyle while embracing her heritage.
Read the Stylish Magazine January-February 2026 cover story here.
Our #StylishPodcast episode featuring our September-October cover girl Jasmine Curtis-Smith is out. Watch it on Facebook and YouTube.
Stylish Magazine is “your source of self-love, style & inspiration” first introduced in June 2020. Our television series format, Stylish TV, once ranked one of the Top 50 Most Watched Multicultural Shows in the USA, can be streamed on iWantTFC and be watched on TFC (The Filipino Channel) in more than 50 countries. Watch it online here.
Style Visionary Network is a lifestyle-business online platform where #WeCreateVisionaries. Also introduced in June 2020, Style Visionary Network is also the digital home channel of media brands Stylish Magazine and Stylish TV.