Joel Reglos Revisits the Architecture of Faith and Form in 5th Solo Exhibition, "Reminiscence”

 Filipino visual artist Joel Reglos is set to unveil his highly anticipated fifth solo exhibition "Reminiscence" a profound visual homecoming that explores the intersection of artistic evolution and spiritual endurance. In partnership with Altro Mondo Creative Space, the exhibit will be opening this May at the Gateway Gallery. The collection serves as both a retrospective of Reglos’s foundational aesthetics and a deeply personal testimony of the faith that sustained his rise in the Philippine contemporary art scene.

​In "Reminiscence," Reglos deliberately steps back from the present to re-engage with the raw energy of his formative years. Known for his mastery of the impasto technique and his signature use of heavy, sculptural textures, Reglos utilizes this exhibition to honor the specific palettes and vertical color compositions that first defined his voice. The works are not merely recreations of the past, but rather a sophisticated dialogue between the artist he was and the master technician he has become.

​The exhibition title captures a dual meaning: a technical looking back at the language of abstraction and a spiritual accounting of the "wilderness years." For Reglos, the path to his current success was paved with significant personal and professional hurdles.

Joel Reglos at work

​"This collection revisits a period of intense struggle and sacrifice," Reglos shares. "It was a time when I had to surrender my path to the Divine, trusting that the journey had a destination I couldn't yet see. These pieces are reminders that the trials we endure are not obstacles, but essential parts of a larger, beautiful plan."

​The aesthetic of the show is characterized by its tactile intensity. Reglos’s canvases are famous for their "verticality"—cascading layers of pigment that suggest movement, growth, and the passage of time. By returning to his "root" palettes, he invites the viewer to witness the "season of abundance" that follows a long season of sowing. Each thick stroke of paint serves as a metaphor for a prayer answered or a hardship overcome, transforming the canvas into a three- dimensional landscape of gratitude.

​"Reminiscence" is more than a display of abstract virtuosity; it is a narrative of resilience. Reglos asserts that every trial has a purpose that only reveals itself in the fullness of time. For the collector and the casual observer alike, the exhibition offers a chance to experience art that is grounded in the grit of real-world labor and elevated by an unwavering spiritual conviction. It is a reminder that through persistent hard work and faith, every struggle eventually resolves into a masterpiece.

​The exhibition marks a significant milestone in Reglos’s career, following a string of successful showcases, including recent participation in the Philippine International Furniture Show and features in major business and lifestyle publications. As a resident of Lucena City and a proud representative of the Quezon Province art community, Reglos continues to bridge the gap between regional identity and the global language of abstraction.

"Reminiscence" opens on May 23, 2026, at the Gateway Gallery. The public is invited to witness this milestone exhibition and explore the textured depths of an artist who continues to find beauty in the memory of the struggle.

Roy Veneracion: The Art of Syncretism at The Art Gallery by The Manila Hotel

 

Roy Veneracion's Art of Syncretism at The Manila Hotel's Art Gallery

The Art Gallery by The Manila Hotel presents The Art of Syncretism, a compelling exhibition featuring the works of esteemed Filipino artist Roy Veneracion. Officially opened on July 16, 2025, the exhibit runs through August 16, 2025, offering hotel guests and art enthusiasts the opportunity to experience Veneracion’s signature aesthetic philosophy.

A Feeling for Pure Painting by Roy Veneracion

A pioneering force in the Philippine contemporary art, Veneracion is widely recognized for his use of Aesthetic Syncretism, a practice that interweaves seemingly opposing ideas, cultural references, and disparate visual idioms into a cohesive artistic language. Through this method, he creates intricate works that defy categorization and challenge conventional artistic norms. The 9-piece exhibit features a selection of Veneracion’s works, from translucent abstract compositions and bold, expressive brushstrokes to deeply symbolic and layered mixed-media pieces.

Who Cares by Roy Veneracion

“Roy Veneracion’s ability to unify diverse elements into cohesive and thought-provoking pieces reflects a profound understanding of art as a living, evolving dialogue. We are honored to showcase this exhibit in the Art Gallery,” said Marvin Kim Tan, vice president for sales and marketing of The Manila Hotel.

Lucid Dreaming by Roy Veneracion

Roy Veneracion: The Art of Syncretism is on display at the Art Gallery until August 16, 2025. Admission is free. For interested buyers, call +632 85270011 or +632 53015500, or email r.lo@themanilahotel.com.

Pete Velasquez Mounts Miniatures, his 15th One-Man Exhibition, at the Gateway Gallery

 

Pete Velasquez, Jr. is an artist who brings to life the genuine essence of Philippine nationalism in art. While the Philippines boasts of numerous traditions, the core values of the Filipino people are deeply rooted in respect and love for faith and the importance of family. He has powerfully captured this essence resonating vividly in his masterpieces.

Wildflowers oil on canvas 8.5 x 11 inches 2025

THE ARTIST'S CAREER - HIS PATH & HIS JOURNEY A creative and prolific artist since the 1980s, he excels in various mediums, has garnered multiple art awards and achievements and has a history of successful solo exhibitions. An active member of the Angono Ateliers Association, Filipino Portrait Artists Guild and QArt Circle Philippines, he was among the top contenders in GSIS's 2024 Abstract Art Competition. An architect by profession, artist by heart, Pete Velasquez Jr, is also an illustrator, printmaker, a musician, photographer, a loving husband and an affectionate father. Through the years, his spirit always seeks nourishment, continuously seeking artistic growth and he embraces a lifelong journey of learning new experiences to cultivate his art.

Panglao Sunset oil on canvas 8 x 11 inches 2025

Mother and Child watercolor on paper 14 x 11 inches 2023

STYLE AND EXPRESSION. Over the course Pete Velasquez Jr.'s art career, his style and expression has shifted, transformed and developed from pen and ink, watercolors, acrylic, portraits to abstract, yet the significance of his core Filipino traditions and nationalism has never wavered. His art has always been styled, letting him become free and letting him express himself without limitations. His style has always been inspired by music, nature, and his internal emotions and external reactions. His masterpieces are drawn with strong integrity and genuine self-expression that makes him a powerful source of inspiration for other artists.

Lady with Umbrella oil on canvas 8.5 x 11 inches 2025

Miniatures features 71 artworks that are comparatively smaller than his average works. The exhibit opened on May 3 and will run until the 16th, at the Gateway Gallery Studio. Meet the artist when you visit his exhibition. The exhibit, his 5th exhibit at the Gateway Gallery, is open from 10 am to 6 pm.

This artist uses his talent to help less fortunate children

 

Artist Rommel Rico

The “secret” to having a successful art career is not hidden or beyond your reach. It’s very simple. It begins by helping others by using your own talent. New York-based Filipino nurse turned artist Rommel Rico shares his artistic talent in order to help others. He is a full-time pharma project manager but his real calling is really in the arts. Painting is his passion. Growing up, Rico wanted to pursue arts as a profession but his parents had discouraged him from pursuing an artistic career because there were more lucrative and in-demand courses that are profitable. Rico pursued physical therapy, earned his license, and took a short course in nursing as well.

Artist Rommel Rico examines one of the bags they have produced

He discovered his knack for painting in high school, stopped during college, and went back to it again when he came to New York City. " I didn't have any formal training in fine arts. But I went to a vocational school and had drafting and drawing class as elective subjects. I took up "Pagguhit" as my major and was awarded "Best in Pagguhit Award," says Rico. Rico eventually got back to his first love--painting while juggling his work in the medical field. 

The Filipino artist has painted over 40 artworks (and counting) and hosted several exhibits in New York. Two of his artworks, "Abundance in the Marketplace" and "Abundance in the Sun" which Rico considers his masterpieces were exhibited in Pfizer Headquarters lobby at 42nd St. New York, and had drawn much curiosity and attention.