MoCAF 2025 XP Art Bazaar Bridges Creatives and Communities

Words  Alecxis Bianca Libang
Photos courtesy of MoCAF Manila
July 4, 2025

Held at The Astbury in Makati last June 28, this year’s MoCAF (Modern Art and Contemporary Festival) XP Art Bazaar gathered a young crowd of creatives for a weekend of art, conversation, and community. The venue, known as an independent culture hub and private members club, hosted booths of local artisans offering zines, stickers, art prints, crafts, and more. 

Creative exchange

As part of MoCAF XP, the Art Bazaar was designed as an accessible entry point to MoCAF. Held as a one-day pop-up, the event focused on casual discovery and community engagement rather than traditional gallery formats. 

The Art Bazaar brought together independent brands and artists, featuring a mix of first-time sellers and more established names–a reflection of the diverse and far-reaching local creative community. Its relaxed setup and open format encouraged natural conversations between artists and visitors. For many attendees, especially younger creatives, the event offered more than just a chance to support local work, it was an opportunity to connect with the people behind it.

“Just like last year’s MoCAF XP, I’m super grateful to be around people who genuinely appreciate art,” said artist JCdelic. “Events like MoCAF XP are so special because they give artists like me a chance to share our work with a whole new crowd.”

“Be ready to be surprised [because] art is very diverse. You can see [art that is both] nostalgic and out-of-this-world,” attendee Sherry Baldemor shared.

Bridging stories

Beyond the booths and displays, what made the MoCAF XP Art Bazaar truly memorable were the stories shared by the artists themselves. For many of the participants, the event was about being part of a broader creative community.

For Kestrel Reyes of Lifeward Jewelry Design, her favorite part of the bazaar was meeting fellow artists and artisans, all while discovering their crafts. She added that MoCAF is essential because of its power to spark discovery. “All the artisans and merchants want to be discovered,” she shared. “The visitors [can] explore something new in the art scene.”

For Louber, who joined MoCAF for the first time in 2023, the experience has been both inspiring and affirming. “This is the best time for us to get to know different kinds of art, not just the traditional ones. It’s especially uplifting for other artists, particularly those who are just starting out.”

When asked to describe MoCAF, they summed it up simply: “Familiar energy—there's a sense of family when it comes to uplifting each artist.”

The sense of belonging extended to many other creatives at the event. “MoCAF is an opportunity for artists to network with fellow artists and also reach out to their audience,” shared the artist behind Yakal St. Moving Co. 

Meanwhile, guineagenie reflected on the joy of reconnecting with the community: “I was able to connect with the audience, but I also had the chance to connect with fellow artists,” she said. “The art community is very diverse and expressive.”

Learning by doing

Alongside the vendor booths, the Art Bazaar also featured a casting and mold-making workshop led by self-taught visual artist Wendel Candawan. At the workshop, Candawan guided participants through the basics of molding and casting, giving them a hands-on introduction to material-based artmaking. 

The session drew curious beginners and creatives, adding an interactive, educational layer to the bazaar. For many attendees, it was a chance to learn a new skill and experience the art-making process firsthand.

“It’s my first time conducting a workshop of this scale or in an event like this. I feel happy that I can give new knowledge, especially to the youth and students,” Candawan shared to Art+, noting that he usually teaches molding and casting at his school.

As the weekend came to a close, the MoCAF XP 2025 Art Bazaar left behind more than just tables decked out in art prints. It offered a platform for emerging creatives to share their work, meet their audiences, and engage in broader conversations about Filipino contemporary art and culture. With its community-focused atmosphere, the event reflected MoCAF’s lasting vision of making art more inclusive and personal.

MoCAF 2025 is approaching, happening on July 11-13 at the Marquis Events Place, BGC, Taguig. Get your tickets now at www.mocaf.net.