‘Maria Regina: Grace in Blue—Portraits in Peace’ runs Sept. 10–Oct. 7, 2026 at the Mall of Asia Sanctuary.
A collection of 56 Marian paintings reveals far more than varied interpretations of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Step into the gallery, and you encounter 13 deeply personal journeys—of faith rediscovered, artistic boundaries stretched, and a shared search for a Mary who feels both sacred and intimately close to the Filipino heart.
Opening September 10 at the Mall of Asia Sanctuary, Maria Regina: Grace in Blue—Portraits in Peace brings together 13 contemporary Filipino artists whose backgrounds span law, business, banking, philanthropy, education, writing, and the visual arts.
While the Philippines is globally renowned for its centuries-old Marian traditions—marked by grand processions, vibrant fiestas, and historic images—this exhibition offers a quieter, more personal expression of devotion. Here, contemporary artists translate their encounters with the Blessed Virgin onto canvas.
Born from months of weekly gatherings at Sunshine Place in Makati—a senior center established by the Felicidad Sy Foundation—the exhibition demonstrates how a shared devotion can give rise to remarkably different artistic voices.
Beyond the canvas, the exhibition serves a higher purpose: proceeds will fund the construction of an Adoration Chapel at St. Francis Church in Mandaluyong and the rehabilitation of the Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in Quezon City.
At the emotional center of the exhibition is master Fidel Sarmiento’s poignant trilogy. Sarmiento deliberately moves away from the traditional, European-style Madonna, choosing instead to view Mary through the lived experience of Filipino motherhood.
His paintings portray Mary as the praying mother, whose quiet faith silently sustains the family; the guardian of tradition, who fiercely keeps devotion alive within the home and the community; and the silent caregiver, whose unsung daily sacrifices embody unconditional love.
“She is not distant in a cathedral,” Sarmiento explains. “She is in the home, in the simbahan, and in the fields.”
Through rich morena features, the texturing of local Philippine textiles, and familiar rural landscapes, Sarmiento reframes Mary. She is not just the Queen of Heaven, but the enduring image of the Filipina mother—humble, resilient, faithful, and endlessly ready to serve.
‘Stella Fontis’ by Roni V. Wuson
For exhibition lead artist Carol Llanillo, the journey began long before the first canvas was even stretched. A lawyer and painter for more than four decades, Llanillo spent years fulfilling commissioned work while quietly nurturing a personal dream: to paint the Marian images that had accompanied her own spiritual life.
When the Maria Regina Advocati organizers invited her to create 20 paintings inspired by the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, she leapt at the chance. Her brush brought to life beloved advocations, including Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Our Lady of Lourdes, and Our Lady of Fatima.
“Each painting is a visual prayer,” Llanillo says softly. “I hope whoever sees these images—Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, even non-believers—will find peace in their hearts.”
For Conchitina Bernardo, honoring Mary meant stepping away from familiar visual traditions entirely. Instead of gold leaf, she chose silver leaf, graphite, and black acrylic to create a quieter, more contemplative tone.
Although she does not consider herself traditionally Marian in devotion, Bernardo sees Mary as an intercessor and a model of unconditional love. Her painting, Mary’s Loving Gaze, captures the Virgin looking tenderly at the Child Jesus, yet Bernardo also sees herself reflected in that moment.
“She could also be gazing at me with unconditional love,” Bernardo says. “This gives me a sense of comfort and peace.”
For many of the participating artists, painting Mary meant venturing beyond familiar artistic territory.
‘Ang Alay at Tradisyon’ by Fidel Sarmiento
Loida Tan found herself pushed into entirely uncharted territory: portraiture. “This is my first time painting portraits, and it was both challenging and rewarding,” Tan shares. “Each Marian image seemed to require its own style, so I let the subject guide how I painted it. The experience taught me to explore different techniques while staying true to my own voice.”
For Len Torres Fernandez, the project became an unexpected spiritual journey. “This is the first time I painted Mama Mary. I found it daunting,” she reflects. The breakthrough came when she shifted her perspective from Mary as a historical icon to Mary as a universal mother to everyone. “Painting Mama Mary eventually felt like a meditation. I tried to capture her serene expression and humility. Painting her felt sacred and deeply comforting.”
Rica Rosario Ong drew inspiration from a pilgrimage to Ephesus in Turkey, traditionally believed to be the Blessed Virgin Mary’s final earthly home. The journey deepened a devotion she says has shaped her life for as long as she can remember, transforming her paintings into quiet offerings of thanksgiving.
Each artist, in effect, searched for a different Mary.
Among the participating artists, Roni Wuson reimagined Mary as smiling, youthful, and approachable. Her three paintings place the Blessed Mother in familiar settings—a backyard-inspired Marian grotto, a youthful Mary offering a rosary, and a garden walk with the Child Jesus. Layering an oval canvas over a rectangular one, she gives each work a subtle dimensional quality.
The exhibition is rounded out by the distinctive voices of Robert Fernandez, Vicky Pollisco, Erlinda Flores, Joyce Ashworth, and Vicky Lopez, each contributing a unique thread to this grand tapestry of Marian devotion.
Together, these 56 paintings prove that while artistic styles inevitably evolve, the human craving for faith, comfort, and hope remains entirely timeless. Seen through contemporary Filipino eyes, Mary emerges not as a detached statue on a pedestal, but as a mother, protector, guide, and companion—continually rediscovered with every single brushstroke.
‘Maria Regina: Grace in Blue—Portraits in Peace’ runs Sept. 10–Oct. 7, 2026 at the Mall of Asia Sanctuary.
