MoCAF 2025: Expanding Platforms for Artists
The Modern and Contemporary Art Festival is back for the fourth year in a row with new artists, collaborators, and experiences all around.
Words Mara Fabella
July 18, 2025
The Modern and Contemporary Art Festival returns to Bonifacio Global City from July 11-13, 2025 for another eclectic showcase of Philippine art. Dubbed the “Philippines’ most dynamic art festival,” MoCAF is back for its fourth installment, seeking once again to highlight local contemporary art while providing a platform for the synergy of its many creative voices. Four years in, the team behind MoCAF continues to strive to be the top art festival not just in the country, but in the Southeast Asian region. Yet underscoring these ambitious goals are the event’s earnest motivations: to uplift the works of all Philippine artists alike.
Much is both the same and excitingly different for MoCAF’s fourth year. The event returns to the Marquis Events Place in BGC, an area already steeped in modern art. With an array of murals, a growing gallery scene, and an environment ripe for collaboration, BGC may be, in short, a microcosm of the artistic contemporary. Beyond attracting young crowds and appealing to the seemingly “trendy,” such a setting for MoCAF becomes more of a breeding ground for artistic possibility. Where can MoCAF make its mark and continue to outshine it?
This year, MoCAF boasts another impressive list of exhibiting galleries and partners, including established galleries and newer cultural voices. A total of 39 galleries will be brightening up the Main Exhibitions section in the ballroom. Among these are Fundacion Sanso, exhibiting priceless artworks from its master artist namesake. Other galleries bring a more contemporary voice, showcasing artists both eclectic and introspective in their works. Galerie Stephanie will be bringing its dynamic roster of young artists ready to display their unique artistic identities. Ysobel Art Gallery will be at the festival as well–a space that continues to highlight emerging artists both locally and internationally.
MoCAF’s list of exhibiting galleries reflects its vision of inclusion, as it hits different facets of contemporary art. Art for Space brings its exciting roster of artists representing Manila’s eclectic lowbrow art scene. VeryGood Gallery joins MoCAF again, having opened last year in January under artist tandem Mimaaaaaaaaw and Blic. Art Toys PH will represent the sculpture and toy enthusiasts, bringing together artists from the largest toy community in the country. Other galleries at this year’s MoCAF include Vinyl on Vinyl Gallery, R Gallery, J Studio, White Walls Gallery, Art Lounge Manila, Rojo Galerie, and Arcadia Art Gallery. Among the international galleries making their mark this year are Core Contemporary Art (Malaysia), Kate Contemporary (Spain), Vin Gallery (Vietnam), Parallel+ (Hong Kong), and Gallery Kogure (Japan). Such a vibrant gallery roster promises a fresh and exciting experience for festivalgoers, artists, and gallery workers alike.
One can make out the contemporary in MoCAF’s artistic vision in its Special Exhibitions section. Returning again for the fourth year to shine a spotlight on both young and master artists alike, the Special Exhibitions form a diverse collage of the many forms Philippine modern art currently take. Dennis Bato and Pinky Ibarra Urmaza offer a conversation between their practices in Threshold. The Beauty of Becoming by Brain Teves will show intricate and romantic imagery, bringing together a modern eye for beauty through a lavish classical lens. For his exhibit, Fall Sonata, Jaspher Penuliar’s style of surrealism delves into a hyperrealism both metaphysical and introspective in scope. Juanito Torres uses his deft skill for realism to depict narratives drawn from Philippine history, while in Shelter, CHN0 depicts the personal spaces that bring comfort and healing to its inhabitants. Other special exhibits include shows from AR Manalo, Isad Diwa, the Orlina family, Katrina Cuenca, SAIS, Vanguards: Masters’ Show, a Sculpture Forum, and a tribute showcase for Juvenal Sanso.
New artists are given the full spotlight through MoCAF Discoveries. Each year, Discoveries has provided a platform for young artists to not only connect with their peers, but freely express themselves creatively. MoCAF allows artists from both the 2024 batch to continue to shine while passing the torch to the newest batch of discoveries. Returning to the Discoveries space are Crazy Vanny and KenTo-San, who draw inspiration from illustrating their own unique characters. Benedir and Miclcee paint lofty, dreamlike imagery shrouded in an ethereal haze. The humorous figures of Obags amble about and even break through his canvas frames, while Rabby’s animal figures are full of as much attitude as their human counterparts would be. These and more artists from the 2024 group are a testament to the power of MoCAF Discoveries as an avenue for growth and transformation.
The 2025 Discoveries group promises to be even more diverse. With her signature vibrant palette, DanaMatrix explores the potential of portraiture as an avenue for self-expression. Through simple yet expressive linework, France Daffron depicts everyday imagery through intimate shades of blue. Walangmaria’s colorful yet morose figures reflect the conflicting emotions of many youth today. G.I. Pongase fuses enigmatic and nebulous silhouettes with abstracted elements, as if piecing together a feeling of place or self. Also among the 2025 Discoveries are Frances Masel Araw, PauPau, Sola, TAO, Jean Abardo, Orland Espinosa, RAKI, Kidlat, Binsoy, Jessa Almirol, GENZEL, John Nabor, CHRIIXX, Mai Pimentel De Dios, Andino, Miguel Villaor, AJ Manuel, and Aeron Dizon. Palpable among this group of artists is their unfiltered passion and commitment to their unique identities, and MoCAF is geared toward letting them shine.
Partnership in MoCAF extends far beyond the main participating galleries. Collaboration on all fronts has been a cornerstone of MoCAF since its inception, as the team seeks to elevate the festival experience. MoCAF XTN returns to broaden the scope with an “extended dose of all things creative.” XTN partners with galleries, artisans, and concessionaires, proving that the festival itself is leveling up along with the talented artists it celebrates. Partner XTN galleries include The Metro Gallery, OpenArt Gallery, Espacio Manila, Rouge Gallery, 350 Creatives, Qube Gallery, GJ Collective, Sin•Ta Art Gallery, and The Art House. Also a part of MoCAF XTN is MoCAF Dialogues, holding space for artist talks and discussions on various topics circling Philippine art today.
MoCAF is also collaborating with DBTK (Don’t Blame the Kids) Apparel and Bad Student, a risograph press and design studio, to make exclusive merchandise. The specially designed t-shirts and posters, created by DBTK and Bad Student respectively, will offer festival-goers a tangible piece of MoCAF to remember their art experience with.
XTN Artisans is where craft meets the fine arts. Independent clothing brands like The Moon Project PH, RIOtaso, Anthill Fabric, and SUOT will be offering their one-of-a-kind handmade pieces. &Everything, Common Room, Profanity, GF Emporium, and Clockwork Vintage feature everything from handpainted bags, to calligraphy pieces, to profanity tufted rugs.
Bazaars continue to expand the MoCAF scope through MoCAF XP, where pop-up events provide a more hands-on and inclusive way for audiences to engage with the festival. On June 28, the MoCAF XP: Art Bazaar takes over the Astbury in Poblacion, where all kinds of artists, from zinemakers, to jewelers, and sticker artists will be selling their works. The bazaar roster includes Casual Adulting, Lifeward Jewelry, Awkwardbutable, Yakal St. Moving Co., Enne Cruzin, Anya Nellas, and Art Toys PH. A casting and mold making workshop using plaster and alginate will be facilitated on the day by artist Wendel Candawan, allowing bazaar goers to not only get up close with artworks, but try making some of their own. Bazaars have become a staple in the contemporary art fair experience, reflecting the need for a more inclusive and all-encompassing scope when it comes to the art event. More than a pocket event for the main event itself, MoCAF XP signals the way festivals like MoCAF itself are changing with their audience.
MoCAF XP Workshop is also partnering with Mess Studio by Common Room PH on a DIY Button Pins and Fabric Accessories workshop. Utilizing leftover fabric and found materials, Roma Agsunod and Maan Agsulod will show participants how to turn discards into stylish accessories. The workshop is scheduled for July 5 at the Mess Studio, G/F Atrium, Makati.
Another central aspect of MoCAF’s mission for inclusion lies behind the scenes. MoCAF continues to offer paid volunteer opportunities to art students and enthusiasts alike to lend a hand in organizing one of the leading art events of the year. From manning booths, to social media, to administrative work, volunteers gain invaluable experience, especially for those who plan a career in art.
Much has been said about the current state of the Philippine art fair scene–a scene that itself is rapidly evolving and no longer seems to be bound to any fixed expectations. With the emergence of more art fairs, both large and small in scope, how can an event like MoCAF keep up? Does fair fatigue threaten to sap the enthusiasm for art events as a whole? Rather than seeking to outdo other festivals, the team behind MoCAF continue to their mission of creating “inclusive and exciting opportunities” for a Philippine art scene that no longer comprises just elite painters, but covers a wide gamut of artists, varied in age, gender, experience, and manner of artistic expression. As long as artists and their art continue to evolve, an audience remains waiting eagerly. MoCAF continues to ride the tide of the contemporary, evolving along as it continues to ebb and flow.
