ARJUD celebrates women’s creativity and authenticity in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY — A vibrant wave of feminine artistry is set to illuminate Baguio this October as Ibagtit, Ka Arté, and Luisa’s Café mount “ARJUD,” a group exhibition that honors women, creative expression, and the power of authenticity. Featuring the works of five remarkable women artists — Bets BL, BrenSubido, Regina Roxanne Caoli, Sharla Machung Ngayodan, and Tina GN — the exhibit brings together diverse artistic voices, each with her own story, style, and creative truth.

The word arjud in Ilocano refers to the way girls and women prepare themselves — fixing their hair, dressing up, and presenting their best with grace and confidence. Beyond adornment, arjud also captures a feeling: the joy of self-expression, the courage to show up as one’s true self, and the pride that comes from embracing one’s identity.

In this exhibition, “ARJUD” becomes a metaphor for artistic self-love — women creating, expressing, and sharing pieces of themselves with intention and heart. Through works that reflect culture, identity, heritage, faith, and imagination, the exhibit pays tribute to femininity and the many ways women shine.

Featured women artists

Bets BL — A Baguio-based visual artist and writer, Bets BL began painting at the height of the pandemic and has since achieved national and international recognition. Her works, deeply rooted in Cordilleran and Filipino culture, have been exhibited in Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Madrid, and Paris. She has earned several honors, including third place in the Philippine Nurses Association National Poster Competition, finalist citations in the PNVSCA Digital Poster Contest and 2025 Sining Filipina National Art Competition, and the Juror’s Choice Award in Vir’s Vision. Her art and poetry have been featured in Novice Magazine, Heart to Art Anthology, and Pintanaga, and she appeared on the October 2024 cover of Liwayway Magazine. She is also an alumna of the Art Show Philippines Online Mentoring Program.

BrenSubido — Brenda Subido Dacpano, known professionally as BrenSubido, is a multidisciplinary artist with a career spanning five decades. Her works traverse social realism, surrealism, and assemblage art. Also a writer, poet, and translator-editor, she uses art as a medium of social awareness and cultural reflection. Her pieces have been displayed in the Philippines and abroad, including Los Angeles, Milan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Paris. Her awards include the SalaWikain Visual Poetry Award (2020), People’s Choice Award (2021), and Top 10 ACEO Art Awards (2023). Bren advocates for art that inspires truth, empathy, and empowerment.

Regina Roxanne Rivero-Caoli — A visual artist and licensed interior designer, Regina Roxanne Rivero-Caoli paints from a place of warmth and cultural mindfulness. Her impressionist works feature women, children, still life, and landscapes, inspired by both nature and everyday Filipino life. Her paintings reflect tradition, modern realities, and themes of sustainability, connection, and heritage.

Sharla Macli-ing Ngayodan — For Sharla, art is an act of worship — an offering of gratitude to the Creator. Encouraged early to draw freely and with an Interior Design background, she developed a deep understanding of structure, color, and harmony. Her works express faith, wonder, joy, and spirituality, painting creativity as a divine gift meant to inspire.

Tina GN — Known for her hand-painted denim art and customized functional pieces, Tina GN brings joy and imagination into everyday items — from whimsical portraits to painted chopping boards. Born in Laoag and based in Baguio, she has exhibited in numerous local and international venues. Her awards include first place in the 120th Camp John Hay Painting Competition and Top 20 in the ACEO Art Awards. She has also consistently ranked among Art Show Philippines’ Bestselling Artists (2022–2025).

More than an exhibit — a movement

“ARJUD” is more than an art showcase. It is a movement of women expressing creativity with love, celebrating presence, confidence, and authenticity. Each artwork becomes a story — a brushstroke of empowerment, a thread of culture, and a gesture of self-love. Like the word itself, arjud is light, joyful, and sincere.

The exhibit runs until 20 November 2025 at Luisa’s Café, Session Road, Baguio City.