The country’s government, culture, society leaders turned out Feb. 3, 2026 in the newly inaugurated Likhang Filipino Exhibition Halls for the opening of Pagtatagpo, a three-man exhibit of Lynyrd Paras, Vien Valencia and Marco Santos.
A collaboration of the country’s leading auction house Salcedo Auctions and Patrick Rosas of Fashion Aid Philippines and Jonathan Matti’s Vetted, Pagtatagpo is part of the ongoing Art Fair Philippines’ 10 Days of Art. The exhibition is open for viewing from 10 am to 7 pm at Gallery 1, Likhang Filipino Exhibition Halls, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.
Tara Reyes, Adrienne Charuel, Lucy Consunji, Vivian Yuchengco, Connie Gonzalez
Patrick Rosas, Kathy de Guzman
“This is our second participation in Art Air Philippines’ 10 Days of Art, and we are truly honored to present these three artists,” said Salcedo Auctions chairman and chief specialist Richie Lerma. “What makes this exhibition even more meaningful is that part of the proceeds will benefit Fashion Aid Philippines. We’re very happy to be part of this.”
Chris Ocier, Isabelle Ocier, Geraldine Ocier, Jonathan Matti, Mariana Ongpin, Yuan Ongpin
Doody Tuason, Fe Jamer, and Nikki Menchaca
Pagtatagpo (meeting up or converging) explores the literal and metaphorical crossings of paths— bringing together three artists at different phases of their individual journeys, intersecting through shared space, material inquiry, and quiet reflection. While united by theme, each artist offers a distinct interpretation, allowing the show to unfold as a dialogue on process, intuition, and becoming.
Richie and Karen Lerma with the First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos
For self-taught artist Marco Santos, Pagtatagpo marks an encounter with an artistic self shaped during the isolation of the pandemic. Santos began experimenting with discarded gin bottles, burning and painting their surfaces. This act of repurposing evolved into a focused practice defined by a singular gesture—drawing with fire—now extended across glass, wood, acrylic, and Marston mats through Labrat, the experimental studio he founded with Ariel Dalisay.
Vien Valencia, a 2024 CCP Thirteen Artists Awardee, continues his exploration of abstraction using found burlap as canvas. For Lynyrd Paras, also a CCP Thirteen Artists Award recipient, Pagtatagpo is deeply personal—an inward and outward convergence. His new works reveal a calm reckoning, arriving at a quiet balance between his internal landscape and the world beyond.
Jorge Yulo, Andrew Gan, Em and Senator Mark Villar
Bianca Zobel, Jonathan Matti, Dina Arroyo-Tantoco
The opening night was a big success, with collectors making their selections early—several works already marked with red dots even before doors opened at 5 pm. The First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos was the main guest of honor.
The attendance was a good mix of government, culture, fashion, and society figures, among them Trade and Industry Secretary Cris Roque and her team, former Las Piñas Mayor Mel Aguilar, the government’s Special Envoy for Culture and the Arts Karen Santos, and the new dean of the Consular Corps of Philippines, Agnes Huibonhoa.
Consul Agnes Huibonhoa, Rep. Florabel Yatco, DTI Secretary Cris Roque, fashion designer Paul Cabral
Kate Gonzaga, Leo Posadas, former Las Piñas Mayor Mel Aguilar, Alelee Aguilar-Andanar.
Among the guests were Tara Consunji Santos, Adrienne Charuel, Lucy Consunji, Vivian Yuchengco, and Connie Yuchengco Gonzales, Jorge Yulo with Andrew Gan, Ana Ugarte, Cara Wilson, Bobby Cuenca, and Maripi Muscat.
Ana Ugarte, Cara Wilson, Bobby Cuenca, Maripi Muscat
Guia Santos, Tamika Santos, Tara Santos
Carmen Romualdez-Santos, Richie Lerma, Happy Ongpauco-Tiu
From business and industry came PAL Holdings board director Stanley Ng, Kenneth Lao of Kenneth & Mok, restaurateur Ana Lorenzana de Ocampo, and George Goduco.
From the culture community were Art Fair Philippines founders Dindin Araneta, Trickie Lopa, and Lisa Periquet, NCCA board member and National Archives executive director Ino Manalo, DTI-Design Center of the Philippines executive director Rhea Matute.
Richie Lerma, Will Lim, Maria Angelica Tan, Rotina Lim, Karen Lerma, Stanley Ng
Ana Lorenzana de Ocampo, Dindin Araneta
Guests enjoyed a modern Filipino menu by Happy Ongpauco—kare-kare skewers, red egg pasta, crisp chicken skin, and a refined take on palitaw. The mood remained relaxed and convivial, with the First Lady mingling, posing for photographs, and taking time to view the works on display.
Lisa Periquet
NCCA board member Ino Manalo
Anna Laure, Trickie Lopa
Toward the end of the vernissage, most of the artworks had been sold, yet guests stayed on, savoring the camaraderie and celebratory atmosphere.
Pagtatagpo’s opening drew Manila’s society set, joined by leaders from the cultural, fashion, and government sectors.
The successful opening comes on the heels of Salcedo Auctions’ recent collaboration with DTI Philippines in Tokyo earlier this year. “We’re keeping the momentum going as we prepare for our first marquee sale of the 2026 auction calendar, The Well-Appointed Life,” Lerma said. “We are accepting consignments for this major sale on March 14.”
Consignments for The Well-Appointed Life are being accepted until February 7. Interested parties may call +63 917 894 6550 or email info@salcedoauctions.com
