The art of homecoming

The atmosphere at Arthouse’s Lakbay 2026 was an impressive curated homecoming that felt less of an exhibition and more of a patriotic proclamation.

At the exhibit’s center stood Ling Quisumbing, whose presence remains as commanding as her canvases. The outstanding artist always possessed that rare, innate ability to weave the ethereal with the earthbound, and in this showcase, her work served as the definitive anchor. Beyond displaying art, she choreographed a dialogue between the Philippines’ storied past and a future that feels urgently tactile, proving once again that she is a master of the visual narrative.

The by-invitation vernissage was graced by members of the diplomatic community, academicians, celebrated fashion and design personalities and discerning art patrons.

The evening belonged equally to diaspora artists, namely, ALLDEFS (Mark Barretto) — United Arab Emirates (Dubai); Katrina Bello — United States (New Jersey and Nevada); Kim Cruz — Portugal; Joseph Gabriel — United Kingdom (London); Rasco Jugarap — Belgium (Brussels); Kulay Labitingan — United Kingdom (London); Angela Silva — United States (San Francisco Bay Area) and Pinky Ibarra Urmaza — United States (New York). Each artist engaged with Quisumbing’s themes of memory, displacement and identity from their respective geographic vantage points.

Their collective voices brought a refined, global edge to the local scene. From the textured explorations of memory, to the bold, contemporary strokes that challenged traditional iconography, the exhibition was a masterclass in identity. A reminder that while these artists may traverse different latitudes, their creative pulse remains linked to the Filipino soul — redefining what it means to be “home.”

Arthouse’s Lakbay 2026 was a triumphant celebration of movement that successfully bridged the gap between the archipelago and the global stage. In the hands of Quisumbing and her peers, the journey isn’t just about the destination; it’s about the exquisite, lingering beauty of the transit itself. This wasn’t just an art show — but a homecoming and a cultural milestone.