Expanding the Circles of Culture and Craft: MaArte at The Pen Returns with Purpose and Passion

 

MaArte at The Pen has evolved from a shopping event to a celebration of the Filipino spirit, where innovation and tradition collide and craftsmanship serves as a tool for conserving and enhancing our sense of cultural identity.

The Peninsula Manila's halls will once again be filled with the energy and inventiveness of Filipino craftsmanship at its best from August 7–10, 2025. MaArte, the Museum Foundation of the Philippines' main fundraising event, is in its 16th year. This year's fair has a deeper meaning as the foundation reflects its mission of "Cultivating Partnerships, Strengthening Legacy."

This subject symbolizes the Foundation's ongoing dedication to promoting Philippine museums and cultural institutions, which goes beyond the fair's expanding list of artists and attendees.

This subject represents the Foundation's ongoing dedication to assisting Philippine museums and cultural institutions around the country, and it speaks to more than simply the fair's expanding list of artists and attendees. MaArte contributes to the continuation of initiatives that preserve, honor, and transmit the diversity of Filipino history and creativity with each item bought and collaboration established. 

Kaalaman, Kultura, at Kaartehan—A Love Letter to Filipino Craft 

A celebration of the artistic journey is at the center of this year's MaArte Fair:

Kaalaman is the ability to master a craft, including its methods and supplies.

Kultura is the rich, living background of our culture that shapes beauty and is the source of inspiration; and Kaartehan is the flair, the natural imagination and inventiveness that give each product its own character.

Fashion designer Happy Andrada

With more than 160 exhibitors, including 40 newcomers, this year's exhibition is growing not just in scope but also in variety and vision. MaArte debuts a food and beverage category for the first time, showcasing chefs whose creations are just as well considered and skillfully made as any textile or jewelry.

Design with Soul: This Year’s Must-See Exhibitors 

MaArte 2025 brings together some of the country’s most exciting creative entrepreneur-cultural advocates: 

• Happy Andrada– Inventive takes on Filipiniana, showcasing modern silhouettes and hand-embroidered artistry. 

• Art Joy - Creating one-of-a-kind jewelry inspired by natural and man-made wonders of the Philippines 

• Oscar Mejia – Crafting scents that connect Filipinos to home, memory, and identity. 

• Neil Felipp – Internationally acclaimed for bags and accessories that combine fantasy elements and meticulous intricately detailed brass work. 

• La Mesa Mead (CoffeeXmead) – Makers of the country’s first commercially available Filipino mead, blending heritage and fermentation science. 

• Yssa Studio - Filipiniana fabrics done in traditional style, but with modern design, elements, lines and versatility. 

• Raquel’s Piña Cloth– A celebration of the timeless beauty of our native textiles. 

• Construction Layers (new) – Retro future apparel with an early 20th century aesthetic, infused with unconventional elements, and atypical fabric choices. 

• Alexie Nethercott – Hand crafted shoes and fashion accessories that are unique, intricately detailed, and unmistakably Filipino.  

• Angkan – Custom pieces hand drawn and hand crafted by Carol de Leon, Angkan supports indigenous communities, all products are 100% Philippine made, 

• Palawan Brewery – The first craft brewery in Palawan, the first craft beer made by women, and the first Filpino craft brewery in the US. 

…And many more artisans, each offering not just products, but pieces of Philippine culture reinterpreted through their eyes, hands, and hearts 

 

Beyond the Market: A Mission with Impact 

Each MaArte Fair is an act of kindness. The Museum Foundation of the Philippines' activities for the National Museum and the museum community are directly funded by a portion of each purchase, allowing it to continue its essential task of preserving our national legacy. Thanks in part to the fair's supporters, the Foundation's influence keeps expanding through everything from outreach and education to conservation initiatives and exhibitions.

MaArte stands as a loving and intentional act: to honor, elevate, and defend what makes us Filipino in a world where tradition is readily lost and culture is frequently commodified.

It's free to enter. Visit the Museum Foundation's official website at museumfoundationph.org or their Instagram account for additional details.

Venues for the Fair in August: 

• 5th Floor Guest Rooms

• 2nd Floor Meeting Rooms

• The Conservatory (2nd floor)

• The Upper Lobby (2nd 

• Garcia Villa and Balagtas Function Rooms

• Rigodon Ballroom