The Asian Cultural Council Philippines Foundation (ACC Philippines) marks a significant milestone as it celebrates 25 years of unwavering commitment to supporting Filipino artists and fostering cultural exchange. To commemorate this silver anniversary, a series of special events will take place, beginning with the highly anticipated annual Asian Cultural Council Auction on February 22, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Leon Gallery.
Supporting Filipino Artists Through the ACC Fellowship
The fundraising auction directly benefits the ACC Philippine Fellowship Program, which provides Filipino artists with unparalleled opportunities to engage in apprenticeship programs, conduct research and studies, participate in international collaborations, and learn from esteemed mentors and experts abroad. These initiatives align with ACC’s mission to advance international dialogue and cultural exchange, fostering mutual understanding and respect among diverse cultures.
Since its inception in 1963, ACC has been dedicated to supporting artists in their personal and professional growth through cultural exchange programs in the United States and across Asia. Over the decades, the roster of Filipino artists who have received the ACC fellowship grant has continued to expand, empowering them to contribute significantly to the global arts landscape.
Celebrating the Latest ACC Philippine Grantees
Nine Filipino artists and art specialists from various disciplines—including Visual Arts, Theater, Literature, Conservation, and Art Criticism—have recently joined the distinguished ranks of ACC fellows worldwide.
Among the current ACC fellows:
- Maria Patricia Bernas, a dance artist, is pursuing her Master of Science in Dance Movement Therapy at Sarah Lawrence College in the United States.
- Aina Ramolete, a theater arts practitioner, is earning her MA in Puppet Arts at the University of Connecticut.
- Padmapani Perez, a literary artist, is conducting research in India.
- Archie Oclos, a visual artist, is conducting research in Coney Island, New York.
- Sir Anril Tiatco, a dramaturg and educator, is undergoing training in dramaturgy in New York.
- John Alexis Balaguer, a curator and critic, is in New York conducting research on exhibition writing and art criticism.
- Peter John Natividad, a conservation specialist, recently returned from Japan, where he studied museum display and seismic control techniques.
- Toni Go, a theater artist, and Joshua Lim So, a stage writer and director, are set to depart for their fellowship in New York in July 2025.
ACC takes pride in having supported nearly 300 exceptional alumni, including revered National Artists such as Jose Joya, Lucresia Kasilag, Lamberto Avellana, Alejandro Roces, Francisco Feliciano, Jose Maceda, Kidlat Tahimik, Ramon Santos, and Alice Reyes. These icons, along with contemporary trailblazers and emerging creatives, continue to shape the Philippine arts and cultural scene. Since 2000, ACC’s grants have been sustained through fundraising initiatives led by the ACC Philippines Foundation Trustees, along with generous contributions from sponsors and benefactors.
The ACC Auction: A Celebration of Art and Culture
A highlight of the celebration, the ACC Auction has become a must-attend event in the art and cultural community, uniting collectors, patrons, and art enthusiasts in support of a meaningful cause. The auction preview opens on February 18, 2025, at 6:00 PM, showcasing significant pieces from ACC alumni. Notable works include those by 1967 ACC Fellow and National Artist Jose Joya, 1968 ACC Fellow and Gawad CCP Awardee Roberto Chabet, known as the Father of Philippine Conceptual Art, and 2012 ACC Fellow Riel Hilario.
Proceeds from the auction will help sustain ACC’s grants program, ensuring that Filipino artists continue to have access to invaluable learning and growth opportunities on the global stage.
Join us in celebrating this milestone and supporting Filipino artistry. For more information on the auction, visit www.leon-gallery.com. To learn more about ACC and how to support its programs, visit www.asianculturalcouncil.org.
León Gallery and the Asian Cultural Council Philippines Foundation, Inc. invite art enthusiasts and collectors to the highly anticipated Asian Cultural Council Auction, set for February 22, 2025, Saturday, at 2 PM. This year marks a decade of collaboration between León Gallery and the Asian Cultural Council (ACC), a partnership dedicated to supporting talented Filipino artists in expanding their artistic horizons on the international stage.
“The past ten years have been incredibly rewarding. Collaborating with ACC in their mission to grant Filipino artists opportunities abroad has always been our greatest privilege,” shares León Gallery director Jaime Ponce de León in the auction catalog’s foreword. “To commemorate this milestone, we have assembled a collection of monumental pieces.”
Among the featured works are pieces from three ACC grantees. National Artist Jose Joya, ACC’s first Filipino grantee for the visual arts, is represented by Evening in Shanghai, a significant artifact highlighting the Philippines’ cultural ties with China. The auction will also include Pillow Series (1978) by Roberto Chabet, an ACC 1968 grantee for museology, and a mixed-media piece by Riel Hilario, a 2012 grantee whose work explores the intersection of folk art and spirituality.
A major highlight is Anita Magsaysay-Ho’s On the Beach, part of her inkblot series from her “Hong Kong Paintings” period, which she described as her most prolific years. Another rarity is her terracotta sculpture Mother and Child, one of only three sculptures created by the esteemed Filipina modernist.
The auction also showcases two distinct facets of Vicente Manansala’s artistic legacy. His Neo-Realist phase is represented by Dambana (1957), an heir to his acclaimed 1956 work of the same title, which captures the baroque grandeur of Spanish colonial heritage. Meanwhile, his Cubist, stained glass-inspired style is exemplified by Mother and Child, from the collection of architect Gabriel Formoso, and Sabungero, previously owned by diplomat Ambassador Jose Vicente “J.V.” Cruz.
Two internationally recognized Filipino artists are also featured in this landmark sale. Fernando Zóbel’s Septiembre, a las siete de la tarde, en Tres Juncos was prominently featured in TIME Magazine’s 1966 coverage of the Cuenca Museo de Arte Abstracto Español, solidifying Zóbel’s place in global art history. Juan Luna’s Portrait of Irene della Rocca presents the sister of Adele della Rocca, whose portrait by Luna set a record-breaking sale in León Gallery’s September 2024 auction.
The auction also highlights three pivotal works that shaped the legacies of renowned Philippine artists. Hernando R. Ocampo’s Terminal is among the first paintings from his highly sought-after Visual Melody period, created the same year as his iconic Genesis at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Ang Kiukok’s Android, from his 1966 Luz Gallery exhibition, marks the emergence of his signature Cubist-Expressionist style. Meanwhile, Elmer Borlongan’s Pahinga, from his early career, is considered one of his most significant works by respected art patron Dr. Joven Cuanang.
Adding to the auction’s philanthropic mission, two masterpieces from the collection of Arthur and Julie Hill will be auctioned to benefit bright but underprivileged provincial students who have passed the University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT) but lack the means to afford campus living expenses. The pieces are H.R. Ocampo’s A Song for Summer and Ang Kiukok’s Mother and Child.
“We are honored to be part of this noble cause in support of the next generation,” says Ponce de León. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who continues to join us in championing Filipino artistic brilliance. On behalf of Team León Gallery, we invite you to celebrate this milestone in Philippine art with us. We look forward to many more anniversaries together.”
The Asian Cultural Council Auction will take place on February 22, 2025, at 2 PM at Eurovilla 1, Rufino corner Legazpi Streets, Legazpi Village, Makati City. Preview week runs from February 15 to 21, 2025, from 9 AM to 7 PM. For inquiries, email info@leon-gallery.com or contact +632 8856-2781. Browse the catalog at www.leon-gallery.com.
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