Vanguards of art and fashion: Salcedo Auctions, DAILY TRIBUNE and Jor-el Espina celebrate important milestones as cultural innovators

Salcedo Auctions, DAILY TRIBUNE and Jor-el Espina successfully held yesterday their “Vanguards” event in NEX Tower, Ayala Avenue, Makati City — a triple collaboration marking the premier auction house’s 15th anniversary; the multimedia platform’s 25th year in propelling “Without fear, without favor” journalism; and celebrating 20 years of the fashion designer’s creativity, craftsmanship and cultural pride.

During the event, Salcedo Auctions opened a rare and intimate exhibition of Filipino painter Constancio Bernardo. Titled “Constancio Bernardo: Color & Clarity,” the exhibition showcases 19 abstract works, on view until 2 August.

The works encompass four decades in the career of Bernardo, a pioneering figure in Philippine abstraction, widely celebrated for his analytical but expressive use of color, line and form — integral elements that defined his signature style and earned him a place among the country’s most influential post-war artists.

“Fifteen years ago, Salcedo Auctions began with a singular vision — to create a world-class platform for Philippine art, antiques and collectibles,” Salcedo Auctions chairman and chief specialist Richie Lerma said in his speech at the event, noting that these pieces are not only anchored on decadence, but also in complexity and history.

According to him, the auction house continues to stand today not only as a testament to that vision, but to continue its “journey of color, clarity and cultural stewardship.”

During his speech, his wife and Salcedo Auctions chief finance officer (CFO) Karen Lerma introduced to guests the “true vanguard of Philippine modernism”: Constancio Bernardo.

Bernardo, said Lerma, “is a trained master who studied under Bauhaus legend Josef Albers.” Bernardo’s works, Lerma noted, “has a brilliance” that “speaks powerfully today as it did in the mid-20th century.”

Speaking on behalf of DAILY TRIBUNE president Willie Fernandez and executive vice president Chingbee Fernandez, managing editor and Lifestyle editor Dinah S. Ventura highlighted in her speech DAILY TRIBUNE’s evolution from a newspaper founded by legendary journalist Ninez Cacho-Olivares, to a multimedia platform acquired by the Fernandez couple in 2018.

“For a journalist like me, there’s no end to the stories just waiting to be shared. And in a way, this is the root of the passion and commitment that led DAILY TRIBUNE to where it is today, 25 years later,” she said. “As Mrs. Fernandez said, ‘It was basically a leap of faith’ for them. It’s not easy to run a paper. On one hand, it is a calling; on the other, it is a business… But what they did was give the newspaper, the one that was created by journalists with a journalist at the helm, new life.”

She highlighted DAILY TRIBUNE’s resilience and brave new frontiers for the future.

“At a time when sentiments mainly ran against traditional media, Mr. Fernandez remained steadfast in his belief that although print may be seen as dying, good journalism, certainly, is not dead,” she affirmed.

“Mrs. Fernandez also said it took basically innovation and evolution of both the people and the paper itself that led to one anniversary after another — and here we are now, today, 25 years later.”

Mrs. Fernandez, said Ventura, believed that while there are other many “good” media companies out there, DAILY TRIBUNE has been able to last 25 years onwards because of its continuous evolution and the “unwavering commitment of journalists” who work with DAILY TRIBUNE.

“Just like Salcedo Auctions that stayed true to its original intentions and core mission, DAILY TRIBUNE’s strength and longevity has been its faithfulness to its ideals,” Ventura stressed.

“Through 25 years, our role has not changed. To quote our bosses once more, ‘It’s to be the same seeker of truth, to check the facts, to run the news.’ That is our role today — and tomorrow. Our company’s transformation into a multimedia platform, an integrated media, delivering stories on both print and digital, is also our story to tell.

“And this collaboration, which began in 2024 with this esteemed luxury auction house, today brings you great stories that we are happy to showcase in our platforms as well.”

As part of DAILY TRIBUNE’s 25th anniversary, it shines the spotlight on Gabriel Malvar, whose award-winning documentaries “cover the stories of our cultural warriors and icons, our islands, and the little-known individuals who contribute to our identity in ways never before told,” Ventura said.

Since DAILY TRIBUNE president Willie Fernandez is an art lover, the media powerhouse thought of showcasing Malvar’s works since art “is something that unites and brings joy to people,” Ventura noted.

Art and fashion, according to her, are among the perfect ways to celebrate the paper’s landmark anniversary as there is “a renaissance of sorts” in fashion with the rise of sustainability and circularity.

Embodying such renaissance is Espina, who presented a five-piece capsule collection as a tribute to Bernardo.

In his speech prior to a 40-piece presentation of his modern Filipiniana collection, Espina said the event was “very personal” for him as he marks his 20 years in fashion.

“I actually started with no connections or resources, only passion and deep love for Filipino art,” he enthused.

“As a celebration of two decades, I remain committed to honoring our heritage while boldly exploring new creative ground.”