SOCIAL SET

A carnival of creative delights

Luis Espiritu · Aug 23, 2026, 2:12 AM

DEPARTMENT of Tourism regional director Catherine Agustin; The Peninsula Manila managing director Kevin Tsang; Museum Foundation of the Philippines president Danny Jacinto; Congressional Spouses Foundation chair Mary Ann Dy; Museo Pambata Foundation president Wilma Santos Huang; Yael Buencamino Borromeo; Congressman Javier Miguel Lopez Benitez; National Museum director Jeremy Barns. — PHOTOGRAPHS courtesy of peninsula manila/maarte fair 2026

Miko Liwanag (left) and Gia Remulla (far right) with women weavers of Indan.

Ito Kish and Rajo Laurel.

MaArte Fair 2026 transformed The Peninsula Manila into a grand cultural sanctuary under this year’s whimsical and nostalgic theme, “Karnabal.”

From 13 to 16 August, the iconic hotel’s corridors, function rooms and grand spaces became a living, breathing dialogue between the viewer and the artisan.

The highly anticipated opening was marked by a sophisticated ribbon-cutting ceremony graced by local cultural architects, government dignitaries and Museum Foundation pillars, signaling a triumphant homecoming for conscious luxury.

Former Ms. Universe Gloria Diaz.

Special Envoy of the president to the United Arab Emirates for Culture and Arts Karen Santos.

This successful edition of the country’s most fabulous trunk show takes pride in gathering over 220 Filipino artisans, designers and homegrown brands. Spread across eight bustling floors — including the Rigodon Ballroom, The Conservatory and transformed guest rooms — the fair became a curated odyssey of wearable art, handcrafted home decor and limited-edition masterpieces.

Jojie Lloren and Mark Carcillar.

Museum Foundation of the Philippines Trustee Blen Fernando.

This annual flagship event mounted by the Museum Foundation of the Philippines proves that the art of shopping is most powerfully felt when every purchase actively sustains the legacy of our National Museum and honors the collective soul of local makers.

Ceramist Joey de Castro and wife Lally.