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.

CCP, BENCH HOLD TERNOCON WORKSHOP & EXHIBIT IN BINAN CITY, LAGUNA

 

With the mission to preserve and promote the Philippine dress,  the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), in partnership with Bench/Suyen Corporation and the local government of Binan City in Laguna, will hold a terno-making workshop from May 19 to 24, and an exhibition from May 22 to June 28, at the Sentrong Pangkultura ng Binan, Binan City, Laguna.

Billed as “Fashioning the Terno,” the workshop series kicked off in October 2025 with its Mindanao leg in Iligan City, followed by its Visayas leg in Iloilo City last April.

The next series, the Luzon leg, will be participated in by 24 local designers from the National Capital Region and various provinces in Luzon, including Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan,  Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Bulacan, Batangas, Mindoro, and Laguna.  

The exhibition will feature the ternos designed by the Ternocon 2025 winners and finalists, Peach Garde, Bryan Peralta, Ram Silva, and Windell Madis, with pieces by mentors Ezra Santos,  Rhett Eala, and Lulu Tan Gan.  

The Luzon participants will undergo intensive hands-on training on terno making with relevant lectures by experts led by Ternocon founding artistic director Gino Gonzales, Ternocon former mentor Lulu Tan Gan, Ternocon current artistic director Ricardo Eric Cruz, 2020 chief mentor awardee Abdul Gaffar,  Carolina de Leon,  Ternocon 2020 Bronze Medalist Dinnes Obusan, Ternocon 2025 Silver Medalist Bryan Peralta, and Ternocon 2025 Mentors’ Choice Award Windell Madis.

All workshop participants from Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon are qualified to submit proposals for the competition slated for February 2027.

Out and About with Cetaphil Sun: #GotYouCovered While You Touch Grass

 

In a world where being constantly online is the norm, more Filipinos are starting to feel the weight of digital fatigue. Long hours on screens, fast-paced routines, and limited access to restful spaces have left many feeling overstimulated yet disconnected.

Answering this growing need to unplug and reconnect, Cetaphil Sun held the Cetaphil Sun Crawl, entitled Out and About with Cetaphil Sun: Expert Sun Protection #GotYouCovered, a thoughtfully curated day of outdoor experiences designed to encourage presence, movement, and meaningful connection, all while staying protected under the sun.

Rooted in the rising “touch grass” mindset, the Cetaphil Sun Crawl reimagines everyday outdoor moments as opportunities to reset without worrying about sun damage. Because stepping outside shouldn’t come with hesitation: especially when your skin is supported by expert protection that’s #GotYouCovered.

A Morning in Motion

The day began with a short morning run, setting the tone for an energizing start outdoors. Led by fitness coach Cass Salandan, the guests which included fitness personalities, outdoor enthusiasts, and lifestyle content creators were guided through an accessible, yet invigorating routine designed to ease them into movement.

The session featured a full-body warm-up followed by a 20-minute LIIT (Low Intensity Interval Training) workout and a squat-and-shuttle finisher. It concluded with a dedicated cool-down to bring participants back to a state of rest. The experience encouraged participants to reconnect with their bodies, moving not for intensity, but with intention.

Wellness, Slowed Down

From movement to mindfulness, guests transitioned into a Wellness Wind Down at Washington Sycip Park, where the pace softened, and the focus shifted inward.

Guided by yoga coach and mindfulness teacher Carina Silverio, the session began with a gentle arrival and grounding practice, allowing guests to settle into the space. This was followed by guided movement and breath work: simple, accessible exercises designed to release tension and bring awareness back to the body.

Participants then engaged in an outdoor connection activity, encouraging reflection and presence within both the environment and the group. The experience closed with quiet rest and integration, offering space for stillness — something often missing in everyday routines.

Expert Conversations

The day concluded with an intimate lunch, bringing guests together for meaningful conversation around modern wellness and skin health.

Dermatologist Dr. Gaile Robredo-Vitas highlighted the growing need for balance in today’s hyper-connected world. As people seek more intentional offline moments, even simple outdoor habits, like walking, dining outside, or spending time with friends, can significantly improve overall wellbeing.

However, in a country like the Philippines where UV exposure is a daily reality, these small outdoor moments come with cumulative effects on the skin. Prolonged exposure can lead to sensitivity, dehydration, premature aging, and long-term damage.

Dr. Robredo-Vitas emphasized that effective sun care today goes beyond protection. It must also support hydration and strengthen the skin barrier: especially for those navigating heat, pollution, and urban stressors. Gentle, well-formulated products are key to minimizing irritation while ensuring comfort for daily wear.

Ultimately, skin protection should feel enabling, not limiting. With modern, science-backed formulations designed to be lightweight and suitable for sensitive skin, people can confidently spend more time outdoors, fully present in real-world experiences.

#GotYouCovered Wherever You Go

The Cetaphil Sun Crawl is a reminder that “touching grass” doesn’t require going off grid, but it’s about finding balance in small, everyday ways. Whether it’s a morning run, a quiet moment in the park, or simply stepping outside, these intentional habits help break the loop of digital fatigue.

With Cetaphil Sun, outdoor time becomes what it’s meant to be: freeing, effortless, and worry-free. Because when your skin is cared for, you can stay longer, connect deeper, and fully embrace life beyond the screen.

Cetaphil Sun is available at all leading retailers like Watsons and Mercury Drugstore, and in all leading e-commerce such as Shopee, Lazada and TikTok Shop.

Vida Doria is living the dream: Pursuing painting with her “Tapestry of Woven Dreams” exhibit on May 22-28

 

"Fresh Flowers by the Window" by Vida Doria 20" x 30", oil on canvas

When someone tells you they “own a Vida Doria,” they’re likely referring to a piece of women’s clothing bearing the fashion designer’s name—a wedding gown or formal wear, for instance, or one of her many blouses in a burst of vibrant colors and prints.

To art lovers, owning a Vida Doria means having another of her creative outputs in their possession: an oil on canvas painting of flowers or other nature-inspired scenes executed in romantic strokes and hues reminiscent of the French Impressionist Claude Monet.

Longtime collectors of her work, as well as those eager to discover this side of the designer and Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1971 winner are welcome to visit Tapestry of Woven Dreams, a group exhibition that runs from May 22 to 28 at the Atrium on the second floor of The Podium in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.

"Romantic Prairie" by Vida Doria, 18" x 24", Oil on canvas

Through this event, Vida fulfills the dream of exhibiting with her five co-members of Katha Art, a group of ladies from diverse backgrounds who share a common passion for arts and good food. Originally mentored by the late Nestor Villanueva, the ladies are now guided by Jeff Consumo.

Each will showcase a collection of 15 to 20 paintings, making the event a visual treat of colors, styles, and themes. In turn, Vida and the other featured artists will be contributing to making others’ dreams come true too. A portion from the proceeds of their sales will go to three of the ladies’ chosen charities: Sibol Ning Aeta Foundation Inc., Mary Queen of Heavens Missionaries, and Vida’s personal pick, ANCOP (Answering the Cry of the Poor), the non-profit founded by the Catholic family renewal community Couples for Christ, of which she is a member.

Eyeful of an exhibit

Whether you’re familiar with her works or are seeing them for the first time, you’re sure to get an eyeful from this exhibit. For one thing, the artist includes paintings on larger canvases—a request of her clients, she tells you. Then there are her colors and strokes, which have noticeably become less Monet and more Van Gogh.

"The Frontyard Garden" by Vida Doria, 20" x 24", Oil on Canvas

“Even with his small works, his perspective is amazing. And his colors!” she gushes of the beloved Post- Impressionist Dutch painter. “He doesn’t mix two colors to get a third color. To him, if it’s red, it’s red; if it’s yellow, it’s yellow; if it’s green, it’s green. Also, when you look at his paintings, there’s so much movement, it’s like they’re swaying.”

Painting to heal, helping others heal

Indeed, emotion has always been integral to her art. Deeply affected by back-to-back deaths in her family in 2005—her brother due to cancer and their mother two months later—she took up a friend’s invitation to join a “Paint to Heal” class in Santa Maria della Strada Parish in La Vista, Quezon City. “The very first painting that I made during that session was a bouquet of flowers I titled ‘My Mom’s Bouquet,’” she says. “It’s still with me.”

That she took to painting easily in that first class didn’t come as a surprise. The fashion designer and boutique owner for five decades simply “migrated” her fashion know-how—from her penchant for bright, happy colors to her use of luxurious fabrics—onto a canvas.

Like her fashion, which has been around since the early ‘70s and continues to capture a market that’s into timeless, feminine apparel, there’s a great enthusiasm for Vida’s paintings—people just have to have them. In a previous solo show, an oil on canvas of a nature scene in autumn was purchased early by an art patron “who didn’t even haggle, not a single centavo,” she says. Turns out, other buyers had their eye on that painting too and were disappointed to know it had already been sold. In another exhibit, one guest snapped up three paintings; while others bought two each.

"Dazzling Energy in Colors" by Vida Doria, 20" x 24", Oil in Canvas

Perhaps people don’t just see beauty in her canvas; they see the artist’s earnestness and the purity of her intentions as well. Unknown to many, with each painting Vida sells, someone benefits.

“I have family members and friends who need chemotherapy or a PET scan, and it's so expensive,” she says. The artist has even been known to donate to strangers seeking medical assistance. “So, I pray that people like my paintings so I can help others. Miraculously, people do! Even I’m surprised.”

Over 20 years ago, Vida turned to painting to heal. Today, the wife, mom of four grown children, and grandmother to three grandkids who cheer whenever they see her, paints both for art’s sake and to help others heal.

“That’s why if you see my studio, my canvas is always ready and mounted, and my paints are open. So, when I feel like painting, I can just go,” says Vida. “I have so many things I want to paint that I don’t think I would be able to paint them all even if I had forever!”

Vida Doria-Legaspi is joined by five Katha Art featured artists including Gracie Aranda, Clarita Lazatin Magat, Bebet Pastelero Sto. Tomas, Salie Henson Naguiat, and Rellie Liwag. The Tapestry of Woven Dreams exhibit runs from May 22 to 28 at the Atrium of The Podium in Ortigas Center.

Araneta City makes summer easy with citywide seasonal offerings

 Araneta City is making the most out of summer with a lineup of citywide offers aimed at families, friends, and individuals looking to enjoy leisure time without leaving Metro Manila. From shopping and dining deals to wellness experiences and staycations, the summer campaign brings together experiences across the City of Firsts.

“Summer is a season when people naturally seek time to slow down, reconnect, and enjoy simple moments. Through our summer lineup, we wanted to make everyday leisure more accessible—whether that means spending time with family, enjoying a good meal, or discovering a new way to relax, all within the city,” said Marjorie Go, Vice President for Marketing of Araneta City.

Get lucky and win cool gadgets

Araneta City kicks off its summer festivities with the Win Your Snaps raffle promo. Lucky participants may win cool gadgets such as iPhone 17, DJI OSMO 360 Standard, DJI OSMO Pocket 3 Creator Combo, and DJI Action 5 Pro Standard. A single-receipt purchase worth P1,500 from any Araneta City establishment is equivalent to one raffle ticket. Promo period runs until June 30.

Enjoy refreshments at World Kitchens

Lepak bar at World Kitchens will keep you energized amid the summer heat with its Tiki Tropics Splash — a line of refreshing cocktails and mocktails in cool island-themed tall cups. The best part is that you get to enjoy two drinks for the price of one. Head on to Gateway Mall 2, Level 4, and cool down with vibrant island flavors.

Family fun at Novotel Manila

Novotel Manila’s Summer Splash and Learn gives kids an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of swimming through the renowned Bert Lozada Swimming Program. Not only do these sessions teach water safety skills, but they also give the little ones a major boost in self- confidence. The lessons are instructive, safe, and engaging, starting at just P8,000 per student. The promo runs until June 24.

Sweet snapshots at Dairy Queen

Dessert takes on a playful, picture‑ready twist at Dairy Queen this summer with the arrival of Say Cheese(Cake), a cheesecake‑inspired lineup that’s as pleasing to look at as it is to enjoy. Blizzard favorites such as Mango Cheesecake Bliss, Blueberry Cheesecake Fluff, and Berry KitKat Cheesecake bring together familiar flavors with a fun summer feel.

For those in the mood to switch things up, Dairy Queen also offers the Mixed Berries Cheesecake Parfait, Berry KitKat Cheesecake Blizzard Cake, and Mango Cheesecake Tin Cake.

Make it a movie summer at Wolfgang’s Premiere Lounge

With theaters offering a cool retreat from the heat, moviegoing gets an added touch of indulgence at the premier cinemas of Gateway Cineplex. Exclusive Wolfgang’s Premiere Lounge gift certificates are available for those looking to treat themselves or surprise someone else, with a cinema experience that combines comfort, dining, and entertainment.

Beyond these amazing offers, other stores and restaurants in Gateway Mall 1 and 2, Ali Mall, and Farmers Plaza are also welcoming summer with their own lineup of seasonal treats. From shopping finds to casual bites, there’s plenty to discover across the district, inviting visitors to spend time, explore at their own pace, and enjoy summer the Araneta City way.