Fernando Amorsolo, Tinikling, 1953, oil on canvas.
‘Under the Tree: The Wish List’ takes place live and online on Saturday, 28 November, 2PM at Salcedo Auctions, NEX Tower, 6786 Ayala Avenue Makati City. The online-only ‘Under the Tree: The Holiday Sale’ starts at 10 a.m.
Salcedo Auctions caps a landmark year with Under the Tree: The Wish List, its final marquee sale of 2026, on Saturday, 28 November, 2 p.m., which will be preceded by the online-only Under the Tree: The Holiday Sale at 10 a.m.
A year distinguished by record-breaking results and memorable moments, the auction calendar of the county’s leading house saw the homecoming of important masterpieces by National Artist Fernando Amorsolo, underscoring Salcedo Auctions’ role not only as barometer of Philippine art market, but also as advocate for Philippine cultural heritage, bringing important works back into the national conversation and into their place in Philippine art history.
Fabián de la Rosa, Untitled (Riverscape) (1914), oil on canvas
Fernando Zóbel, ‘Noviembre IV’ (1978), oil on canvas, from the collection of the late Betsy Westendorp, a close friend of the artist.
The momentum continues with seven works by Amorsolo featured in this year-end sale, four of which made their way back to the Philippines after spending decades—and for one, nearly a century—in private collections abroad. Among them is the National Artist’s Field Scene (Bataan), completed in 1928, which was given as wedding gift to a Michigan couple that same year. Passed down through generations, the painting remained in the family’s care before eventually entering the collection of its present owner, who is based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Amorsolo’s Field Scene has become a cherished part of her extensive art collection because it reminded her of her family’s plantation where she grew up.
There are two other paintings from the US: Workers in the Rice Field (1952) and Sabungero (1936), alongside Washing in the Stream (1951), which was originally from a private collection in Switzerland.
Beyond these artistic milestones, the sale brings together a distinguished selection of works and objects from notable private collections and estates. Among them are rare Asian objects and artifacts from the holdings of Pachot Mapa, offering collectors an opportunity to acquire pieces from the collection of the pioneering Asian antiques dealer behind the landmark Old Asia gallery.
Fat & Thin by Alfonso Ossorio, 1962, mixed media
H.R. Ocampo’s ‘Untitled (Abstraction in Turquoise, Blue, Red)’, 1978, oil on board
The sale also features an inspired 1978 painting by Fernando Zóbel, Noviembre IV, from the collection of the much-loved visual artist, the late Betsy Westendorp. A close friend of Westendorp, Zóbel lends a particularly personal dimension to this offering, making it a poignant inclusion in a sale that celebrates not only exceptional objects, but also the lives, relationships, and legacies behind them.
Also a notable offering is National Artist Jose Joya’s Dragon Year, originally from the estate of his beloved sister, Josefa Joya-Baldovino. Two works by the expatriate Alfonso Ossorio, the subject of an ongoing retrospective at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, also make their way into auction from distinguished international collections: Abstract (1963), previously owned by American collectors Dr. Richard and Odile Stern, and Fat & Thin (1962), once in the collection of French art dealer Daniel Cordier. Completing this distinguished group is a captivating 1914 riverscape by the academic master Fabian dela Rosa, originally from the collection of Don Anselmo Trinidad, the esteemed art patron and co-founder of the Philippine Stock Exchange.
Galo Ocampo’s 1959 Manila Cathedral, oil on canvas
Lee Aguinaldo’s Blue Explosion, 1963, oil on canvas
Another strong section in the sale is the series of works by eminent Philippine pre-war and post-war modernists, with paintings by some of its pioneering figures. Among them are Galo Ocampo’s Manila Cathedral (1959) and Echo (1974); two abstractions by National Artist H.R. Ocampo, both completed in 1978; Lee Aguinaldo’s effervescent Blue Explosion (1963); Lao Lianben’s Voices (1998); and Romulo Olazo’s Diaphanous #897 (2012).
Rodel Tapaya’s joyous acrylic on burlap work Nang Magtapat ng Pag-ibig si Tebang Siga kay Pitang Tsismosa (2007)
Diaphanous #897 by Romulo Olazo, 2012, oil on canvas
There are significant pieces from the country’s younger generation of artists as well, such as Poklong Anading with his iconic Line Drawing (2017), and Rodel Tapaya, who is represented by two major works Julia in Fairyland (2008) and Nang Magtapat ng Pag-ibig si Tebang Siga kay Pitang Tsismosa (2007) from his highly coveted burlap series.
Three pointed celadon jars from the late Tang Dynasty to early Song Dynasty
Neolithic spouted painted jug with spiral and lattice motifs
This year also marked the beginning of a meaningful partnership with Asia Society Philippines (ASP), Salcedo Auctions’ Education and Programs Partner in 2026. ASP contributed several lots to this auction, which are being sold to support its various scholarly initiatives, the first in a series of fundraising collaborations between the two institutions, building on their shared commitment to advancing arts, culture, and education in the Philippines and across the region.
A distinctive 19th century Manila aparador
A remarkable assembly of six archangels circa 1940s
With over 700 lots in the November 28 auction catalogue, this is a wishlist of precious discoveries, from important Philippine art, furniture, antiques, jewelry and watches, ethnographic to ecclesiastical curios, and ceramics. Under the Tree is a fitting finale to Salcedo Auctions’ banner year.
View the catalogues at Salcedo Auctions | Under the Tree: The Wish List and discover the most extraordinary gifts of the season.
‘Under the Tree: The Wish List’ takes place live and online on Saturday, 28 November, 2PM at Salcedo Auctions, NEX Tower, 6786 Ayala Avenue Makati City. The online-only ‘Under the Tree: The Holiday Sale’ starts at 10AM. For inquiries, email info@salcedoauctions.com or phone +63917 1075581 | +63917 1126854 | +63917 8946550. Follow @salcedoauctions on IG and FB
