MoCAF
Special
Exhibitions
Excelsior!
Presented as part of MoCAF 2026’s Special Exhibits, Excelsior! gathers a distinguished roster of Galerie Joaquin artists whose works continue to define the richness and breadth of Philippine art.
From the iconic symbolism of Abdulmari Asia Imao’s Sarimanok (2004) to the lyrical landscapes of Federico Aguilar Alcuaz’s Rolling Hills, Scenic Moments, the exhibition traverses diverse artistic languages and generations.
Sculptural mastery emerges through Michael Cacnio’s dynamic brass works and Ramon Orlina’s luminous glass sculpture Fragrant Clover, both demonstrating how material can be transformed into expressions of movement and grace. Blue Green Supermoon by Manuel Baldemor Carating’s and Emmanuel Garibay Castillo’s Crucifix Series offers a contemplative yet colorful engagement where art and faith intersect.
Together, these works embody the enduring spirit of artistic excellence—an ascent toward ever-greater heights, true to the exhibition’s title, Excelsior!.
B1
Where the Strings Flow
RV Basco & Astrid Castillo-Almario
For MoCAF 2026’s Special Exhibits, Where the Strings Flow, is a collaborative exhibition by RV Basco and Astrid Castillo-Almario that explores the connections between story, memory, identity, and human experience.
Bringing together two distinct artistic voices, the exhibition unfolds as a visual conversation. Basco’s narrative-driven compositions, rich with symbolism and allegory, intersect with Castillo-Almario’s evocative portrayals of femininity, adornment, and selfhood. Individually, their works possess strong and recognizable identities; together, they create a shared space where images respond to one another, forming an interconnected mosaic of emotions and narratives.
Rather than emphasizing contrast, Where the Strings Flow celebrates artistic dialogue. The exhibition reveals how collaboration can expand creative possibilities, allowing each artist’s practice to evolve while remaining true to its unique voice.
B8
Returning to Sundays
Jerika See
Jerika See reinvents the meaning of Sundays into a visual narration of top-view perspectives. Returning to Sundays, her special exhibit, embodies the “learning process of love” that is magnified every time a bond is shared.
From simple moments like shared meals, conversations, and nights together, Jerika’s creative output delineates how connections are made and reflected onto it. She wants to urge the viewers to collectively appreciate the real moments with loved ones amid the bustling and busy schedules.
B9
Curious Shelters
Jomike Tejido
Jomike Tejido’s newest MoCAF Exhibit Curious Shelters blends his professional and artistic practices to create a wide array of organic homes inspired by the natural world. Sculpted out of resin, these artworks aim to be whimsical topiary, rendered in dichromatic transitions of dopamine-rich energy which is a signature of Tejido’s masterstroke.
Reflecting Tejido’s curious nature towards art, Curious Shelters, beyond a collection,speak volumes in his creative milestone.
Taking inspiration from nature, every piece from the collection symbolizes the natural creation of biomorphic homes, which beyond actual structures, are encapsulated in his work through in a sense of a mood or company which offer comfort and peace.
B11
R.A.M. | Horizons & Memories
Ramon, Anna, Michael Orlina
R.A.M. is a creative force made by Ramon, Anna, and Michael Orlina. For five decades, the patriarch has reshaped the Philippine art scene by turning cold, heavy glass into fluid, light-filled masterpieces. Now, his children walk the same studio floor, transforming a specialized craft into a lively family groove. Working together under this unified moniker, they blend decades of foundational mastery with fresh, individual expressions—a relaxed yet deeply inspiring continuation of the legendary name, Orlina.
B19
A Garden Beneath
Sheila Go
What grows beneath what we think we know?
Shiela Go ponders this important question with her MoCAF Exhibit The Garden Beneath, an exploration of everything hidden underneath the waves -- of the ocean that we think we know.
In Go's artworks, viewers are usually reeled into an underwater biome that allows them to shine through. In turn, a single gaze is never enough for a viewer, as every second brings about a new detail that expands the narrative and shifts perspective.
Marked by her signature mesmerizing diversity of flora, The Garden Beneath harnesses her trademarks, telling stories of resilience, stillness, and beauty that is often unseen aboveground.
B21
After-Noon Delights
Toym Imao x Tarantadong Kalbo
In this anticipated collaboration of Toym Imao and Kevin Raymundo (Tarantadong Kalbo), nostalgia plays a central role in keeping the foundation grounded to the project. Inspired by the song “Afternoon Delights” by Starland Vocal Band, the special exhibit hallows its name from the song title with a clever twist signal of the past, hence the name “After-Noon Delights”.
According to Toym and Kevin, creating a collection of pieces that would resonate with both the younger and older generations signifies their revisited childhood memories and a deeper context beneath its playful surfaces. Just as how they describe it: “disruptive, and maginoong medyo bastos”.
B34
Paragon
Patrick Esmao
Patrick Esmao established his own mark in the arts, pushing the boundaries of craftsmanship through his masterful use of geometric abstractions and figurations.
Each thread stitched into the canvas creates a sense of structure, establishing dimensional depth to the acrylic buildings painted over the horizon. This combination allows for a neat sense of balance between soft and hard, a contradiction that makes his art compelling.
Despite his use of abstract geometric figurations, his work does not compel the viewer to think too deeply, as his pieces, as profound as they are, also evokes a sense of familiarity that helps people find meaning and beauty in the simplest things.
B37
Alegria Cup 2026
Van Arao
Limitless. For visual artist Van Arao, art should not be restricted by the frames surrounding a canvas. Therefore, he refined his art style to become unconventional — expanding beyond the canvas to craft a style that is uniquely his, defying the norm. Using special materials in a unique blend of two-dimensional and three-dimensional mediums, Arao creates compelling pieces that showcase both visual and tactile interactivity.
Arao reimagines art through the use of materials rarely used in creative manner. From gemstones, pearls, luxury metals, handbags, timepieces, and even technology, his art stands out and beyond the frames. This unique concept pulls audiences to reflect on how even lifestyle items could add a layer of depth and intricacy into works of art — and in essence, unshackle creativity from traditional notions.
B40
Small Acts of Living
Patricia Santos
For MoCAF 2026’s Special Exhibits, Patricia Santos presents Small Acts of Living, a contemplative series that finds beauty and meaning within the routines that shape everyday life.
Drawing inspiration from observation, memory, and classic cinema, Santos creates paintings that feel both intimate and cinematic. Light becomes an emotional language, transforming walls, windows, tables, and shadows into silent witnesses to human connection. Her figures do not perform for the viewer; they simply inhabit their spaces, allowing meaning to emerge through gesture, atmosphere, and repetition.
Presented as a sequence of interconnected works, Small Acts of Living unfolds like fragments from a quiet film, inviting viewers to construct their own narratives between the scenes.
X1
keep going
Jappy Agoncillo
In Jappy Agoncillo’s special exhibit, the actualization of perseverance in creating and continuing art are represented with vivid colors, bold narratives, and his personal character Dante.
The exhibit is based on his belief that “anything is possible through honest, grounded work,” which manifested within his personal journey as an artist. Through this special showcase, Jappy delves into the details of finding momentum, navigating restlessness, and the faithful Sisyphean nature of pursuit.
X4-5
We’re Not Fragile
James Imperial and Lira
James Andrew Imperial tackles recurring themes of familiarity, sustainability, and imagination in detailed structures and cardboard aesthetics. Lira, on the other hand, makes artworks that feel so dreamy. Coming from a different approach of portraying perspectives, James Imperial and Lira come together to create an exhibition covering a collection of unified nature.