Art House, a platform for artists dedicated to cultural exchange and community engagement, kicks off National Arts Month with the second iteration of its acclaimed LAKBAY series with the theme, “LAKBAY 2026: Through Visual Poetries.”
Happening from January 30 to February 1, 2026 at the Mezzanine of Discovery Primea, Makati City, the exhibit is anchored on conversations around the Filipino diasporic experience, and themes such as longing, displacement, identity, and creative expression.
This year’s edition also features the works of assemblage artist Christina “Ling” Quisumbing Ramilo, alongside nine global Filipino artists whose practice spans continents and cultures, including:
- ALLDEFS (UAE)
- Katrina Bello (USA)
- Kim Cruz (USA)
- Joseph Gabriel (UK)
- Rasco Jugarap (Belgium)
- Kulay Labitingan (UK)
- Angela Silva (USA)
- Pinky Ibarra Urmaza (USA)
“We want to showcase Filipino talent that has experienced cultural exchange in the countries they live in today. Our focus is to bring them back home, because we consider them balikbayans — or for us, balik bayan, two words — to bring them back home. We see ourselves as a platform they can partner with, where we can showcase and market their works to a specific audience here in the Philippines,” Art House Founder, art collector and entrepreneur Carlo Pineda told adobo Magazine.
Likewise, Carlo added that this year’s LAKBAY edition captures the lived experiences of Filipino artists who work abroad, offering them pathways to reconnect with their roots and share the perspectives shaped by their journeys.
He believes that despite working overseas, artists often retain a strong emotional connection to the Philippines.
“We know the challenges Filipino artists face in their journey of uprooting themselves from the motherland for greener pastures, we also know that what they eventually crave is to come back home. Because of that, we want them to see the opportunity to bring their experiences and tell their stories back here in the Philippines, so people can know about them,” Carlo said.
“We believe in Philippine talent, and this allows us to give a global perspective to it.”
Celebrating artistic journeys shaped by movement, memory, and materiality
Now in its second year, LAKBAY continues Art House’s commitment to fostering cultural exchange, community engagement, and meaningful artistic dialogue. True to its ethos, the series celebrates artistic journeys shaped by movement, memory, and materiality, spotlighting Filipino artists who have built lives and practices beyond the Philippines.
This year’s Lakbay series is anchored on the theme, “Through Visual Poetries.” It captures the expansive artistry of Christina Quisumbing Ramilo – otherwise known as “Ling” – a Filipino visual artist whose work spans decades and continents, tracing her journey from New York to Manila.
Curated by Marika Constantino, the exhibition likewise brings together a selection of Ling’s artwork – some previously exhibited, others long held in storage, offering a rare glimpse into the breadth and depth of her creative practice. Joining Ling in this year’s creative exchange are global Filipino artists. Each artist responds to Ling’s body of work through their own visual language, medium, and lived experience.
“Materiality was the binding element that made her the ideal headliner for this year’s LAKBAY. As a seasoned artist, Ling’s body of work is also a testament that the Philippines got talent,” Carlo explained.
“We share values with Christina. Art House’s DNA is anchored in sustainable art, and we’ve done many projects repurposing garbage and discarded materials, turning them into art over the past two years. Today, it’s about furthering that shared value with an artist who has the same vision — giving new life, energy, and purpose to discarded materials. For us, that’s very compelling.”
The art of assemblage and the Filipino diaspora
The central theme in Christina’s work is assemblage — bringing together fragments, materials, and memories.
Speaking to adobo Magazine, Christina — who used to live in New York for 23 years then moved back here in the Philippines 15 to 20 years ago — compares this artistic process to the diasporic Filipino experience. Like her assemblages, the Filipino diaspora forms identity from a patchwork of experiences.
“When you do an assemblage, you use different pieces from everywhere. In a diasporic context, you also gather bits and pieces from different places, carry different stories, and then put them together to create something meaningful,” she said while expressing a hope that people become more open-minded about what art can be. She wants others to “open their eyes” and realize that art isn’t limited to traditional forms like painting or sculpture.
“I hope they can open their eyes and see that [art] is not just painting, sculpture, or something classical. They can look at objects and things in a new light.”
Ultimately, Christina is optimistic about the future of Philippine art and its global reach. Filipinos, she believes, are natural explorers and creators, continually expanding the boundaries of their artistic expression.
As an artist, she also celebrates the beauty and importance of assemblage, especially in a technology-driven era.
“It’s always important to hear stories from different generations, young and old,” she reflects, emphasizing that every fragment has every story which has its place in art.
When asked what her advice was to young artists, she encourages people to embrace creativity with courage and openness. Being creative often involves taking risks, trying new ideas, and stepping outside what’s familiar and that failure is a natural part of that process.
“Be creative. Don’t be afraid to fail, because failure is part of being creative,” she concluded.
The public viewing for LAKBAY Series 2026 will start on January 30 to February 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Mezzanine Floor Foyer, Cervantes and Shakespeare Function Room, Discovery Primea Hotel, Makati City.
