First place: Allan Maranan, ‘Rancho,’ 2024, pyrography, 36” x 24,” P50,000
Lot 58: Danilo Faustino, ‘Last Supper,’ 2024, pyrography, 43” x 71 1/4″
For the first time in recent history, artworks by current and former persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) will be featured at Leòn Gallery in a special auction aimed to highlight the power of art in the rehabilitation of PDLs and their reintegration in society.
The Bagong Buhay Group of Artists (BAGA), a community of former PDLs and individuals from marginalized sections of society united by their transformative journey through art, has partnered with Leòn Gallery for the special auction of PDL artworks titled Pinta ng Pag-Asa. The online auction is on July 19, 2025, with a physical preview from July 12 to 18, 2025, at the G/F Eurovilla 1, Rufino corner Legazpi Streets, Legazpi Village, Makati City.
Second place: Ariel M. Macarang, ‘Yamang Dagat,’ signed and dated 2024 (lower left) acrylic on canvas, 35” x 25” P30,000
Third place: Gabrielle Angelo S. Escudero, ‘Thinking Out Loud,’ signed and dated 2024 (lower left), acrylic on canvas, 24” x 36,” P20,000
To go on the block are the winners, finalists, and entries from the First National PDL Art Competition, held from July to October 2024, as well as artworks by BAGA. The competition was participated in by more than 180 PDLs from various jails and correctional facilities across the country. It was organized by the Justice Sector Coordinating Council composed of the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Interior and Local Government, including the Bureau of Corrections and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
Second place: John Michael Siares, ‘Pagsubok, ‘2024, signed (lower right), pyrography, 36” x 24,” P30,000
Third place: Ernesto Atwel Apas, ‘Olympic Gold Medalist,’ signed and dated 2024 (lower right), pyrography, 36” x 36,” P20,000
The competition and the auction aimed to highlight the artistic talents of PDLs and provide a unique platform for them to showcase not only the rehabilitative power of art, but also their exceptional talent and creativity. The panel of judges for the art competition was composed of Salvador Ching of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Dr. Jualim Vela of the Department of Humanities of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, and Dr. Liping Zheng, an artist and retired senior officer of the Asian Development Bank.
“Through this activity, we hope to emphasize that incarceration is not the end-all and be-all of the Philippine justice system, but rather a step toward the rehabilitation and reintegration of PDLs into society,” says Joey De Leon, president of BAGA. De Leon, an ex-PDL who was also a beneficiary of rehabilitation programs at New Bilibid Prison, founded BAGA in 2021 to assist ex-PDLs in their reintegration into mainstream society.
De Leon added that through this special auction facilitated by Leòn Gallery, the quality of PDL artworks will be elevated so that people will patronize them not only out of empathy for their plight, but also for their art.
Lot 11: Dan Henry Canalita, ‘De-numero,’ 2024, signed (lower right), acrylic on canvas, 36” x 36,” P2,500
Lot 43: Michael De Vega, ‘Justice,’ signed and dated 07-12-24 (lower right), acrylic on canvas, 33” x 21,” P6,500
Lot 30: Raul Jordan, ‘Fruit Harvest,’ signed and dated 2024 (lower right), acrylic on canvas, 24” x 36,” P5,000
The special auction was made possible through the Leòn Gallery, through Jaime Ponce de Leòn, who agreed to waive commissions from the auction. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to the PDL artists and their families.
“This auction is not only our way of giving back to the community, but our way of celebrating these up-and-coming talents in the hope of giving them the chance to really flourish and thrive through their creativity. This auction reminds us that there is always hope and goodness in each and every one of us,” says Ponce de Leòn, director of Leòn Gallery.
Lot 54: Leo Eroja, ‘Californium Stone,’ 2024, mixed media on canvas, 36” x 36,” P50,000
Lot 57: Joey De Leon, ‘Fish-tival,’ signed and dated 2024 (lower left), acrylic on canvas, 24” x 30,” P50,000
The catalogue can be viewed online at Leòn Gallery’s website through this link: https://leon-gallery.com/auct…/pinta-ng-pag-asa/Ovzg3pmWnD. Prospective bidders may also register online at https://www.leonexchange.com/.
