Cabigting’s ‘An Afternoon With Rothko’ set a new world auction record for the artist.
Annie Cabigting’s An Afternoon With Rothko sold for ₱22,192,000 over the weekend at Salcedo Auctions’ The Well-Appointed Life, setting a new world record for the artist, and a fresh benchmark for contemporary Filipino women artists at auction.
“We are honored and most grateful to the consignor of the Annie Cabigting to have given Salcedo Auctions the opportunity to offer this radiant work,” Salcedo Auctions chairman and chief specialist Ramon “Richie” Lerma said. “Annie’s works are highly sought after and rarely come to market, so this world-record-breaking result is a testament to the great respect she has earned from discerning collectors, and it has been a delight for our team to witness this tremendous success.”
Last September 27, Manila’s leading collectors, art-world insiders, taste setters gathered at The Well-Appointed Life. The live sale followed a highly successful morning online auction, proof of the market’s growing confidence in Filipino artists across generations.
National Artist Fernando Amorsolo’s 1939 masterpiece ‘Rice Harvest–Cooking the Noonday Meal sold for ₱9,344,000.
National Artist BenCab’s ‘Sabel’ from 2000 went for ₱8,760,000.
Fernando Amorsolo’s 1939 masterpiece Rice Harvest–Cooking the Noonday Meal fetched ₱9,344,000, reaffirming his place as a cornerstone for Filipino collectors. Modernist stalwart and National Artist BenCab also delivered remarkable results, with 2000 Sabel selling for ₱8,760,000 and his 1991 Mother and Child for ₱2,336,000.
Anita Magsaysay-Ho’s French Impressionist-style painting from the 1940s soared to ₱5,606,400.
Fernando Zóbel’s ‘Acento’ fetched ₱4,088,000.
Another highlight was Anita Magsaysay-Ho’s early French Impressionist-style painting from the 1940s, which ignited frenzied bidding to reach ₱5,606,400—an extraordinary 1,700 percent increase from its low estimate. Collectors also competed vigorously for Fernando Zóbel’s Acento, which sold for ₱4,088,000, and Lao Lianben’s meditative 1984 Inner Voice (₱5,256,000).
Mauro Malang Santos’ ‘Vendors’ from 2007 sold for ₱8,760,000
Lao Lianben’s ‘Inner Voice’ from 1984 reached ₱5,256,000.
Works by Mauro Malang Santos sold high, led by his 2007 painting Vendors at ₱8,760,000, alongside his Mother and Child, which achieved ₱2,336,000. These results underscored the strong demand for Malang’s distinctive approach to form and color.
Pacita Abad’s ‘Pandu Dewanata III’ fetched ₱5,256,000.
Bernardo Pacquing’s ‘Pernickety’ sold for ₱2,336,000.
Contemporary voices were also front and center. Pacita Abad’s vibrant Pandu Dewanata III achieved ₱5,256,000, while Bernardo Pacquing’s Pernickety sold for ₱2,336,000. National Artist H.R. Ocampo’s Revelation-P closed at ₱4,088,000, while Jose Joya’s Black Magic realized ₱2,803,200—further proof of the breadth of collector interest across modern and postwar abstraction.
A Baliuag Sheraton altar table sold for ₱1,752,000.
An exhibition ‘pièce de gozne’ ivory ‘San Miguel Arkanghel’ figure with gold and silver accoutrements sold for ₱1,752,000.
The sale’s strength extended beyond fine art. The Connoisseur Collection of rare furniture and ecclesiastical art drew spirited bidding, highlighted by an exhibition–pièce de gozne ivory San Miguel Arkanghel and a Baliuag Sheraton altar table, each fetching ₱1,752,000.
Auggie Cordero’s curated selection drew buyers, led by Ibarra dela Rosa’s Untitled (1974), which went for ₱385,440, and BenCab’s Man of Peace (1984) at ₱327,040. Norma Belleza’s Tindera Series (1987) followed at ₱350,400, while a Kababuyan standing bulul with colored clay and glass necklaces sold for ₱280,320—an extraordinary 560 percent above its low estimate. Completing the group was Edsel Moscoso’s Los Parientes, which went for ₱175,200.
Salcedo Auctions now turns its focus to its year-end marquee event, Under the Tree: The Wish-List Auction 2025, happening on November 29. Collectors and sellers alike are invited to participate in this highly anticipated holiday tradition. Consignments are now being accepted for fine art, jewelry, antiques, and rare collectibles.
