Tubo Art Fair Returns With ‘Provenance’
Tubo Cebu Art Fair 2025 will once again spotlight grassroots talents from Visayas and Mindanao
Words Gerie Marie Consolacion
Photo courtesy of Tubo Cebu Art Fair
August 26, 2025
Tubo Art Fair, the region’s premier gathering of artists, collectors, and curators, returns for its highly anticipated 2025 edition from August 29 to 31 at Ayala Center Cebu.
This year, the fair carries forward its mission of strengthening connections between artists and audiences by exploring the histories, narratives, and cultural roots that shape Cebuano art, under the central theme “Provenance.”
The three-day gathering is open to the public from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with no tickets or reservations required—ensuring that art remains accessible to everyone, at any time.
Strengthening artists and public interaction
What sets Tubo Cebu Art Fair apart is its unique, people-centered approach. It’s not just about viewing art—it's about connecting with the artists themselves. As you roam the fair, you’re not only seeing the works up close, but also engaging directly with the creators behind them, making art and the artists more accessible to everyone.
Since its inception in 2018, Tubo has grown into a vibrant cultural event, offering a vital space for creatives especially grassroots and emerging artists from Central and Southern Philippines to showcase personal archives, unexhibited pieces, and experimental works without the need for intermediaries.
“The fair creates a living, breathing ecosystem, not only as an open space for showcasing and selling regional art but also as a platform for collaboration, conversation, and co-creation,” says Fair Director Allen Arvin Tan.
He also highlights Tubo’s commitment to offering affordable price points, helping artists fund future exhibitions, projects, and commissions, while inviting more people to become flexible patrons of regional art.
Provenance and ascend
Under the main theme “Provenance,” this year’s fair invites artists to delve into the histories, stories, and cultural origins that shape Cebuano art.
As Prof. Jay Nathan Jore, Fair Curator, explains, "'Provenance' refers to an artwork’s biography, including its journey and the contexts that give it meaning and value," encouraging artists and audiences alike to explore a lesser-known side of Cebuano art by looking into its history.
Adding depth to the audience experience, artists are also invited to explore the theme of "Ascend." This dual focus on "Provenance" and "Ascend" expands the interpretive lens, allowing artists to explore rich themes of identity, memory, and aspiration within their craft.
Artists in focus
Tubo Cebu Art Fair is dedicated to amplifying the unique voices and stories of artists from Visayas and Mindanao, providing crucial space to underrepresented creatives. Prof. Jore emphasizes that “Tubo is a bold statement of what art can be when it's rooted in community, authenticity, and purpose.”
This edition promises a diverse line up of artistic expressions and features from this year’s Image of the Fair including Khriss Bajade, John “Nark” Villoria, Jonathan Abellana, and Gabi Nazareno representing a wide and diverse range of mediums and backgrounds.
Moreover, a confirmed special highlighting the launch of Joshua Cabrera’s graphic novel titled “Si Jimsky Ug Ang Tanghaga Sa Balay sa Agta” and is scheduled on August 29 at 4PM followed by an artist talk at 4:30 PM. Additionally, Tubo Art Fair will feature the works of Martino Abellana, known as the Dean of Cebuano painters.
Visitors can expect a multisensory experience with curated art performances, interactive installations, live art demos, music, and thought-provoking panel discussions.
Tubo Cebu Art Fair 2025 is supported by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Cebu Arts Council, and PRWorks, Inc., as the official PR partner. Additionally, Agimat, MyTV, and Keeta are official Media partners.
Learn more about Tubo Art Fair at https://facebook.com/TuboCebuArtFair.
