By Joy Agoylo
For nearly a decade, the Ortigas Art Festival has made one thing clear: experiencing art doesn’t have to begin inside a museum. Every year, GH Mall in Greenhills, San Juan becomes a meeting place for artists, filmmakers, performers, and curious visitors, proving that creativity can thrive in everyday spaces.
Returning for its ninth edition from July 17 to 30, the festival embraces the theme “Elevate,” expanding its program with contemporary art, cinema, live performances, workshops, and, for the first time, an initiative that invests directly in emerging Filipino artists.
Among this year’s biggest milestones is the launch of the inaugural Ortigas Art Grant, a new artist development initiative that supports promising Filipino creatives beyond the festival itself. Rather than simply exhibiting their work, shortlisted artists will have the opportunity to develop new pieces for the festival’s 10th anniversary in 2027, with the selected grantee receiving recognition during the milestone celebration as well as an international exposure opportunity connected to Art Basel Hong Kong 2027.
For lead curator Renato “Ato” Habulan, the festival’s theme is both a celebration of its journey and a challenge to keep pushing creative boundaries.
“The theme ‘Elevate’ is both a reflection and a call to action. It honors how far the festival has come over nine years, while challenging artists and audiences alike to rise higher, think deeper, and experience art in new and unexpected ways right here in their neighborhood mall.”
While the festival continues to champion emerging talent, it also pays tribute to some of the country’s most influential cultural figures.
Environmental sculptor Junyee, widely regarded as the Father of Philippine Installation Art, takes center stage as this year’s featured artist. Renowned for transforming bamboo, branches, leaves, and other natural materials into monumental installations, his work reflects the kind of innovation that has shaped Philippine contemporary art for decades.
The festival also honors two National Artists whose legacies continue to influence generations of Filipinos. In partnership with the University of the Philippines Press, visitors can explore an exhibition dedicated to National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario, while the Cultural Center of the Philippines presents a showcase celebrating the life and work of National Artist for Theater Design Salvador Bernal.
Adding even more depth to the festival are galleries and artist collectives from across the country. Agos Studio commemorates the 50th anniversary of Kaisahan through a special exhibition, joined by Eskinita Art Gallery, Linangan Art Residency, Thombayan Art Space, Art Circle Gallery, Historia Art Gallery, Nami Art Gallery, the Collective Artists of Angono, the Mindoro Artists Group, the Pasig Art Club, the Ortigas Foundation, and several artist-run initiatives. A photography exhibition by Born in Film rounds out the visual arts program with nostalgic and contemporary images from around the Philippines.
Beyond the galleries, cinema takes on an equally important role in this year’s festival. In collaboration with the Film Development Council of the Philippines and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the lineup features a mix of full-length features, documentaries, and acclaimed short films by both established and emerging Filipino filmmakers.
Among the featured screenings are Cinemartrys and Alipato at Muog, alongside selections from Lakbay Sine, Gawad Alternatibo, and Cinemalaya. The documentary That We May See, directed by Paul Morales, revisits the story of Kaisahan on its 50th anniversary, while works by acclaimed filmmaker Sari Dalena further enrich the program. Audiences can also discover new voices through short films such as I’m The Best Left Inside My Head by Elian Idoma and Pastil: Parehas Ra Ta’g Kan-on’g Ginakaon by Andrei Francis “Franky” C. Arrocena.
The celebration extends beyond exhibitions and screenings through a lineup of live performances and interactive experiences. Opening day featured performances by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Quartet alongside dynamic dance showcases, setting the tone for a festival that embraces creativity in all its forms.
Visitors are also encouraged to roll up their sleeves and make art themselves. Throughout the festival, free workshops offer opportunities to try acrylic pouring, block printing, textured plaster art, paper cutting, sketching, storytelling, and copyright masterclasses led by Born in Film. Whether someone is picking up a brush for the first time or exploring a new medium, the workshops invite everyone to participate in the creative process.
What continues to distinguish the Ortigas Art Festival is its accessibility. There are no gallery walls separating artists from audiences, and no admission fee keeping people from discovering something new. Whether you’re a student catching your first independent Filipino film, a family spending the afternoon together, an aspiring artist looking for inspiration, or a seasoned collector exploring new talent, the festival offers something worth lingering over.
Nine years since it first opened its doors, the Ortigas Art Festival has grown into more than an annual exhibition. It has become a platform where established masters, rising artists, and first-time audiences come together, proving that art is at its most meaningful when it is shared, and when everyone is invited to be part of the conversation.
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