To mark the Philippines’ 128th independence anniversary, León Gallery celebrates the country’s rich history and cultural heritage by bringing together significant artworks and historically important artifacts in The Spectacular Mid-year Auction 2026 on June 13, 2026, 2 pm.
Melding art and history, this landmark sale brings home masterpieces that have been unseen for decades, inaccessible to the public. They represent the country’s glorious landscapes, the Filipino’s resiliency, dignity and courage that won the country its independence.
‘In the farm / Digging Camotes / Family,’ Anita Magsaysay-Ho (1914–2012), signed and dated 1944, oil on board, 18” x 24″ (46 cm x 61 cm), formerly from the Benguet Corporation Collection
Among the highlights are two of Anita Magsaysay-Ho’s oil paintings, both remarkable works that solidified her reputation as the foremost Filipina painter. One is Five Senses, which won Second Place at the Manila Grand Opera House Art Exhibition—her first ever major award in a major art competition. The second is a rare wartime piece, Digging Camotes/In the Farm, a major highlight of her debut solo exhibition in early 1946, shortly after the war.
‘Planting Rice,’ Fernando Amorsolo (1892–1972), signed and dated 1955, oil on canvas, 24” x 32″ (61 cm x 81 cm). From the Hon. George A. Malcolm Collection
‘Planting Rice,’ Fernando Amorsolo (1892–1972), signed and dated 1954, oil on canvas, 20” x 26″ (51 cm x 66 cm). From the Hon. George A. Malcolm Collection
‘Lavandera,’ Fernando Amorsolo (1892–1972), signed and dated 1940, oil on canvas, 17” x 14″ (43 cm x 36 cm). From the Hon. George A. Malcolm Collection
‘Baguio Trail,’ Fernando Amorsolo (1892–1972), signed and dated 1940, oil on canvas, 18” x 23″ (46 cm x 58 cm). From the Hon. George A. Malcolm Collection
The sunlit works of the “Grand Old Man” of Philippine art, Fernando Amorsolo, will be in this auction, from the charming collection of Hon. George Arthur Malcolm, the 17th Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines and founder of the University of the Philippines College of Law.
Amorsolo’s 1954 and 1955 versions of Planting Rice show farmers toil under the sun. Lavandera exemplifies the artist’s penchant for portraying the Filipina beauty; and Baguio Trail demonstrates the maestro’s genius with light and shadow.
These works not only immortalize the glorious, sun-lit Philippine landscape rendered by Amorsolo, but also serve as testimony of Malcolm’s contribution to nation-building.
‘Nilad,’ José Joya (1931–1995), signed, titled and dated ‘May 17, 1970’ (verso), oil on wood, 32” x 24″ (81 cm x 61 cm)
‘Ano Kamo? (Pakil Series),’ Danilo Dalena (b. 1942), signed and dated 2010 (lower right), oil on canvas, 40” x 48″ (102 cm x 122 cm). From the artist’s collection
To mark Manila’s 455th founding anniversary this June, Jose Joya’s Nilad will also go on the block, an oil-on-wood abstract of the lush mangrove from which the city derives its name. Danilo Dalena’s humorous Ano Kamo? captures the Filipino national pastime of gossiping.
Aside from these exquisite pieces, there will be an assortment of historical lots, including the rare original woodblock impression of the Ramusio-Gastaldi Map, which has the earliest known appearance of the name “Filipina” on any European map.
‘La Independencia (Periodico Filipino),’ founder and editor: Antonio Luna; later, editor-in-chief Salvador del Rosario; staff members Rafael and Jose Palma, Mariano del Rosario, Cecilio Apostol, Fernando Ma. Guerrero, Epifanio de los Santos, Felipe Calderón, Rosa Sevilla Alvero, Florentina Arellano; four pages, 21 1/4” x 15″ (54 cm x 38 cm)
‘La Patria (Diario Filipino),’ published by Don Juan Utor y Fernandez, editor: Aurelio Tolentino, director and financier Pablo Ocampo, dated 30 December 1899, four pages, 23 1/2” x 17 3/4″ (60 cm x 45 cm)
La Independencia (Periodico Filipino) and La Patria (Diario Filipino) are two important newspapers that encapsulate the story of a nation’s fight for sovereignty from a new colonial power.
Panukala sa Pagkakana ng Republika Nang Pilipinas (Proposal for the Creation of the Philippine Republic), 1898; includes Mabini’s True Decalogue,’ printed at the Limbagan M.Z. Fajardo on 6 July 1898, with orders by Aguinaldo that the pamphlet be sold for one ‘peseta’ each; 65 pages, 7” x 5 1/4” (18 cm x 13 cm). From the Richard and Sandra Lopez Collection
‘Constitución Politica de la Republica Filipina, promulgada el dia 22 de Enero de 189, edicion official,’ printed by Z. Fajardo, Barasoain (Bulacan), 1899, 48 pages, 5 3/4” x 4″ (15 cm x 10 cm). From the Richard and Sandra Lopez Collection
Emilio Aguinaldo (1869–1901), ‘Talumpati na Isinaysay ni M. Emilio Aguinaldo at Famy, Presidente ng Gobierno Revolucionario ng Filipinas sa Pagbubucas Nang Asemblea Nacional ng 15 ng Septiembre de 1898 sa Simbahan ng Barasoain (General Emilio Aguinaldo Inaugural Address at the Malolos Congress, 15 September 1898),’ limbagan ng M.Z. Fajardo, 1898, Barasoain, eight pages, 7” x 9 3/4” (18 cm x 28 cm). From the Richard and Sandra Lopez Collection
Relics from the Malolos Congress will be in this sale, among them an official edition of the Malolos Constitution, a copy of Apolinario Mabini’s draft of the Malolos Constitution, and an 1898 pamphlet printed in Cavite that published President Aguinaldo’s historic speech at the inauguration of the Malolos Congress at Barasoain Church.
‘Nach Meyer,’ in the style of Heinrich Friedrich Meyer (1814–1897), the José Rizal flute ca. 1880s, rosewood with nickel bands and keys, composed of three parts: a head joint, body, and foot joint. Encased in a cardboard box, with labels from Ed. A. Keller & Company and Ang Anahaw, a brand of ‘calcetines hombres’ (men’s socks). With a home-made cloth sleeve for the flute, which shows some wear and darning. Property of the Dr. Leoncio Lopez-Rizal family
Rare Rizaliana artifacts are also up for grabs: Rizal’s “Nach Meyer” flute, proof of the national hero’s love of music, and his dinner set, customized with his engraved initials.
José Rizal’s personal flatware consisting of dinner fork and spoon, engraved with ‘J.R.’ for José Rizal, F.M. & Cie. Pacfong (Hallmark), spoon F.K. Superior (Hallmark), fork of German silver (a nickel alloy), c. 1880s. Property of the Dr. Leoncio Lopez-Rizal family
“This Independence Day, join us as we commemorate the legacy of our forefathers and their hard-fought pursuits in ensuring that their descendants, the Filipino people of the modern age, enjoy the fruits of liberty, justice, equality, and peace,” says León Gallery director Jaime Ponce de León.
Leon Gallery’s The Spectacular Mid-Year Auction 2026 will be held Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 2 pm. The preview exhibit will run from June 7 to 12, from 9 am to 7 pm, at G/F Eurovilla 1, Rufino corner Legazpi Streets, Legazpi Village, Makati City.
To browse the online catalog, visit https://leon-gallery.com/. For further inquiries, email info@leon-gallery.com or contact 8856 2781. Follow León Gallery on their social media pages for timely updates: Facebook: www.facebook.com/leongallerymakati and Instagram @leongallerymakati.
