Counting Down to MoCAF’s Biggest Celebration Yet

More activities, more galleries, and more fun unveiled at MoCAF 2025’s media launch in The Astbury, Makati City.

Words Felicity Anne Castor
Photos courtesy of MoCAF Manila
July 2, 2025

It’s the season for MoCAF (Modern and Contemporary Arts Festival) again, and this year’s edition is unlike any other. With over 50 exhibitors representing 200 artists, featuring a diverse range of local and international galleries, MoCAF 2025 comes back with a blast–more exciting and engaging!

“We at MoCAF challenge ourselves to introduce something new every year, making MoCAF bigger, but still very inclusive, staying true to one of the pillars we started with,” MoCAF Director Coleen Wong said in MoCAF media launch at The Astbury. 

Participating exhibitors

Living up to its dedication in fostering inclusive art spaces, the Main Ballroom features an array of 21 local galleries and 9 international galleries, including Kobayashi Gallery, Fundacion Sanso, Arcadia Art Gallery, Vin Gallery, Vinyl on Vinyl, and Galerie Joaquin.

Arcadia Art Gallery Carlomar Daoana shared how MoCAF serves as a platform that bridges new galleries and emerging artists into the bigger art community. As a gallery without a physical space and mainly operates in pop-up exhibitions, opportunities like these are beneficial in shining a spotlight on what they have to offer.

“By participating in MoCAF, we're able to join the bigger community of art galleries, art merchants, and others. We're given a platform in such an exciting and beautiful art fair,” he said in an interview.

MoCAF XTN extends the anticipation towards a blend of 12 contemporary exhibitors across various artistic genres including Space Encounters Gallery, The Art House, 22nd & 5th Gallery, and Rouge Gallery. 

While, the Special Exhibits this year embodies diversity with art of different mediums from Ramon, Anna, and Michael Orlina, Iyan de Jesus, SAIS, Isad Diwa, Jaspher Penuliar, CHN0, Juanito Torres, and Juvenal Sanso. Completing the lineup are Vanguards and Sculpture Forum consisting of curated masterpieces from individual prominent artists.

MoCAF is not the premiere art event it is without New and Returning Discoveries, a lineup composed of up-and-coming artists. Some artworks of Kento-san, Mark Hernandez, and Benedir were displayed at the media launch along with New Discoveries Raki, Binsoy, and Jean Abordo.

Apart from galleries, MoCAF 2025 also supports local craftsmanship with participating merchants as part of MoCAF XTN. With a lineup of 29 merchants selling durable bags, accessories, apparel, and a range of other merchandise, there is truly something for everyone.

ANTHILL Circularity Manager Jamie Naval said they are thrilled to be part of this year’s MoCAF, a “pivotal platform” not just for artists but artisans as well.

Interactive and engaging

This year, discussions about art & AI and Philippine typography are explored at MoCAF Dialogues. An immersive intaglio printing and painting workshop will also be held, an opportunity that’s too good to pass up especially for aspiring artists.

MoCAF XP also gives artists-at-heart the chance to express their creativity with interactive events. The recently held Art Bazaar last June 28 at The Astbury featured a wide selection of handmade tchotchkes and vibrant artworks. Apart from the bazaar, attendees got to enjoy the Casting and Mold Making workshop using Alginate and Plaster facilitated by visual artist Wendel Candawan.

The Common Room has partnered with MoCAF for the first time for a day filled with sustainable arts and crafts. As part of MoCAF XP, attendees can experience making fabric accessories and DIY button pins at Common Room’s newest branch in Mess Studio.

Common Room Co-founder Roma Agsunod said their participation in MoCAF 2025 is a very important step in spotlighting over 300 makers they cater. 

“Somehow the connection with another community in the creative scene is very important in fostering relationships between artists, creatives and makers in different communities in the Philippines. So it's a big step for our community and we're so happy to be part of it this year,” she shared with Art+.

MoCAF Gives Back

Apart from enriching the art scene, MoCAF values giving back to its community. This is made possible with MoCAF Gives Back, in partnership with ScholarSIP and MBrace Project.

ScholarSIP is an initiative by Fundacion Sansó, where “every sip supports a scholar.” This initiative preserves and keeps the advocacy of Juvenal Sansó by providing scholarship grants to fine arts students. 

Meanwhile, MBrace Project is a volunteer-driven organization supporting children with cancer. Through their art therapy sessions, art becomes an inclusive and limitless activity. Around 50 artworks of children under MBrace Project’s care will be featured in MoCAF as part of the partnership. 

Valuable partnerships

As a brand dedicated to telling the stories of the youth, Don’t Blame The Kids (DBTK) collaborated with MoCAF 2025 with an exclusive shirt design that embodies creative expression through vivid colors that makes art wearable. 

DBTK CEO and Co-founder Emil Javier described the process of designing the shirt, portraying the brand’s artistic side while sticking to its main essence and message, inspiring the youth.

The DBTK x MoCAF shirt comes in black and white, perfect for switching between making a statement and keeping it laid back.

Lumi Candles brings their fragrances to MoCAF for an elevated art viewing experience, integrating their craft in art appreciation. As part of the collaboration, Lumi Candles formulated an exclusive scent with notes of eucalyptus, grapefruit, cedar wood, bergamot, and mer.

MoCAF 2025 will be held at Marquis Events Place, BGC on July 11 to 13. Tickets are available to www.mocaf.net for P380.