The 2026 edition of Art Fair Philippines unfolded not just as an exhibition, but as a sweeping cinematic experience.

Moving away from the carpark and Ayala Triangle, the fair found a new elegance within the glass-and-steel confines of Circuit Corporate Center One in Circuit, Makati.

Here, the “plaza in an imagined barrio” — a visionary scenography by Nazareno/Lichauco — served as a curated sanctuary where the urban bustle of the city met the quiet, sacred gravity of the gallery wall. It was a masterclass in spatial storytelling, proving that in the world of high art, the environment is just as vital as the canvas.

The curation this year was a deliberate study in contrasts, bridging the soulful heritage of the late Brenda Fajardo with the neon-lit futurism of the TLYR Collective.

Wandering through the six floors felt like a journey through the Filipino psyche: one moment anchored in the feminist social realism of the masters, the next propelled into the digital alchemy of TRNZ, whose work challenged our collective obsession with external validation. This was art stripped of its pretension and returned to its most potent form — a wearable, breathable reflection of our contemporary identity.

As the vernissage transitioned into the final days of the 10 Days of Art campaign, the fair solidified its role as the ultimate cultural catalyst.

The true triumph was the palpable sense of intimacy — the “personal luxury” of a shared narrative between creator and collector. By inviting global eyes to witness the raw, handcrafted excellence of local visionaries, Art Fair Philippines 2026 reaffirmed that Manila isn’t just participating in the global art dialogue; it is dictating the tone. It was a weekend where style met substance, leaving an indelible mark on the city’s creative soul.