OUR ARTISTS
ISAH RODILLO
Patricia Ann is a visual artist who works with acrylic and acrylic copolymer, texture comb techniques, impasto, and palette knife work. Her art explores the harmony between movement, nature, and emotion, drawing inspiration from her passions for dance, sport, and horsemanship. Through dynamic compositions and rich textures, she captures the energy of life, whether in the fluidity of an animal's stride or the quiet intensity of human connection. For Patricia, art is both an expression and a journey—one that allows her to create, nurture, and share beauty with the world.
RAECHE DACANAY
Rai Cruz is a visual artist from Las Piñas City, Philippines, and a graduate of the University of Santo Tomas with a degree in Fine Arts, Major in Painting. He is also a higher education professional at the School of Multimedia Arts, Asia Pacific College in Makati City. His art focuses on mixed-media paintings on functional objects made from layered cut wood and public art, including street murals and installations. Cruz’s work draws from urban living, blending mechanical and organic elements. Using acrylic, graphite, and oil paints on wood, he explores themes like weathered city walls, identity shaped by diverse influences, and the role of art in a third-world context. His pieces reflect how we interpret and interact with information in a constantly changing environment.
LIFE DAWN CERVERO
Patricia Ann is a visual artist who works with acrylic and acrylic copolymer, texture comb techniques, impasto, and palette knife work. Her art explores the harmony between movement, nature, and emotion, drawing inspiration from her passions for dance, sport, and horsemanship. Through dynamic compositions and rich textures, she captures the energy of life, whether in the fluidity of an animal's stride or the quiet intensity of human connection. For Patricia, art is both an expression and a journey—one that allows her to create, nurture, and share beauty with the world.
RICHARD BUXANI
Rai Cruz is a visual artist from Las Piñas City, Philippines, and a graduate of the University of Santo Tomas with a degree in Fine Arts, Major in Painting. He is also a higher education professional at the School of Multimedia Arts, Asia Pacific College in Makati City. His art focuses on mixed-media paintings on functional objects made from layered cut wood and public art, including street murals and installations. Cruz’s work draws from urban living, blending mechanical and organic elements. Using acrylic, graphite, and oil paints on wood, he explores themes like weathered city walls, identity shaped by diverse influences, and the role of art in a third-world context. His pieces reflect how we interpret and interact with information in a constantly changing environment.
RICA CENA
Rica Cena, a Parañaque-based artist, began her artistic journey at age 4, inspired by her mother's sketches. With a Bachelor's in Fine Arts (Industrial Design) and 6 years as a graphic designer, she transitioned to full-time art after the pandemic. Focusing on floral realism, Rica captures the natural beauty and movement of flowers through meticulous color and composition. Her work has been showcased in various exhibitions, earning recognition for its fresh perspective on floral art. Rica aims to evoke tranquility and share that feeling with others through her creations.
SUMMER PASANA
Summer Pasana, with a Bachelor’s degree and professional license in Interior Design, combines design expertise with artistic expression. After years in interior design, she shifted to creating intricate, floral-themed art, known for her bold, colorful style and detailed compositions. Inspired by nature, she captures its timeless beauty in each piece, aiming for meaningful, unforgettable art. Her work has been featured in numerous exhibitions, gaining recognition for its unique fusion of design and art.
MARLON ASPREN
Marlon Asparen is a multi-disciplinary visual artist focused on sculptural works that explore the human psyche, translating emotions and experiences into tangible forms. Currently pursuing a Sculpture degree at the University of the Philippines - Diliman, he blends formal sculpting techniques with macabre imagery to convey the horrors and sensations of the mind. His work merges his deep connections to experience, faith, and fascination with the macabre in creating powerful personifications through sculpture. Marlon was also one of the first artists featured in The Monarch, for the Athena Program.
PATRICIA ANN
Patricia Ann is a visual artist who works with acrylic and acrylic copolymer, texture comb techniques, impasto, and palette knife work. Her art explores the harmony between movement, nature, and emotion, drawing inspiration from her passions for dance, sport, and horsemanship. Through dynamic compositions and rich textures, she captures the energy of life, whether in the fluidity of an animal's stride or the quiet intensity of human connection. For Patricia, art is both an expression and a journey—one that allows her to create, nurture, and share beauty with the world.
RAI CRUZ
Rai Cruz is a visual artist from Las Piñas City, Philippines, and a graduate of the University of Santo Tomas with a degree in Fine Arts, Major in Painting. He is also a higher education professional at the School of Multimedia Arts, Asia Pacific College in Makati City. His art focuses on mixed-media paintings on functional objects made from layered cut wood and public art, including street murals and installations. Cruz’s work draws from urban living, blending mechanical and organic elements. Using acrylic, graphite, and oil paints on wood, he explores themes like weathered city walls, identity shaped by diverse influences, and the role of art in a third-world context. His pieces reflect how we interpret and interact with information in a constantly changing environment.
SOMA CREATIVE CIRCLE
The SoMA Creative Circle is a varsity organization under the School of Multimedia Arts, Asia Pacific College, established in 2018 by Program Director Robert Nelson V. Besana. Its goal is to support student-artists by providing financial assistance and materials for national visual arts competitions. In 2024, the third batch, with 11 members, is guided by visual artist Rai Cruz as adviser and coach. The 2024 batch has already participated in the Zonta Ayala Sining Filipina competition and is preparing for events like the Metrobank Art & Design Excellence and Vision Petron National Student Art Competition. They actively engage in external events and exhibitions, representing Asia Pacific College and strengthening its reputation in the visual arts community.
LUCIAN ARCOS
Lucian Arcos is a Rizal-based self-taught contemporary artist known for his emotionally-charged works that address socio-political and existential themes. A versatile artist, he experiments with resin in his paintings, mixed-media collages, and sculptures to reflect the chaos of modern life. His pieces often feature symbolic elements, exploring biopolitical issues and how state authority shapes human identity and existence. Through his exhibitions and projects, Lucian is establishing himself as an introspective artist who challenges societal norms and perceptions.
ALDRON ANCHINGES
Aldron Anchinges, a self-taught contemporary artist from Rizal, is known for his evocative portrayals of childhood, blending realism with a cartoonist style. His works explore themes of innocence, nostalgia, and human emotion. Anchinges also creates sculptures, including the "Botchog" series, celebrating indulgence with dessert-themed figures. Gaining recognition in Philippine exhibitions and auctions, his unique approach continues to shape contemporary Philippine art.
BIM GUTIERREZ
Bim Gutierrez is a Digital Transformation leader with over 20 years of experience, specializing in blending traditional methods with cutting-edge technology to drive business success. Passionate about self-expression through art, particularly acrylic painting, she draws inspiration from vibrant flowers and plants. For Bim, art is not just a hobby, but a therapeutic outlet that nurtures her well-being and fuels her creativity. Now, she confidently claims her place as an artist, embracing her creative journey and eager to share her talent and gifts with the art world.
MARIBEL VILLARMIA
Maribel Villarmia is a self-taught contemporary artist whose work explores floral themes and nature. She blends Western watermedia techniques with influences from historical Asian art, reflecting her life between California and the Philippines. Growing up surrounded by color, Eastern design, and botanical gardening, Maribel’s creativity flourished. After retiring as a music instructor, she studied Chinese and Western painting, merging these styles into her unique approach. Today, she primarily paints on silk, capturing the vibrant birdsong and floral beauty of the East.
VALERIE TENG
Valerie Teng is a Filipino visual artist with a Fine Arts degree from the College of the Holy Spirit. Her passion for the arts grew from traditional animation and product design to painting, with works that are whimsical, dream-like, and inspired by nature. Her style features fluid lines and delicate strokes, creating an ethereal quality. She also explores abstract and pop art, influenced by her love of Feng Shui. Teng has held three solo exhibitions and participated in several group shows, including five international exhibitions in Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Japan.
ACE EUGENIO ENRIQUEZ
Ace Eugenio Enriquez is a versatile visual artist who left a successful two-decade engineering career to become a full-time sculptor and painter in 2023. His methodical background informs a creative practice that blends precision with expressive storytelling. Through sculpture and painting, Enriquez explores themes of growth, struggle, and the quiet moments that shape human experience. His work invites reflection and dialogue, using various mediums to capture the complexity of both personal and shared journeys.
KIMBERLY MAMARIL
Kimberly "KEEM" Mamaril (b. 1994) is a contemporary artist from Rizal, Philippines, known for her bold pop art visuals. She graduated with honors in Fine Arts from the University of Santo Tomas and started her career in advertising, where her artistic vision blossomed. In June 2024, she held her first solo exhibition, "Meaningless! Meaningless! Meaningless..." at Secret Fresh Gallery. Her works have been showcased in local and international galleries, gaining recognition through mentorship from Alfredo Esquillo and features in publications like Inquirer Lifestyle and ABS-CBN Lifestyle. KEEM's art combines deconstructed advertisements and symbolism to explore themes like the search for purpose and the emptiness of modern life. She contrasts the allure of advertising with the pursuit of true fulfillment, inviting viewers to question the meaning behind the images they encounter.
NORLIE MEIMBAN
Norlie Meimban is a renowned Filipino visual artist, animator, and sustainability advocate best known for pioneering Ani-motion—a unique technique that fuses traditional painting with animation principles to create dynamic, movement-inspired compositions. His ability to infuse kinetic energy into still images has made him one of the most innovative contemporary artists in the Philippines and beyond. A graduate of the University of the Philippines – College of Fine Arts, Meimban was strongly influenced by his father, Ely Meimban, whose creative legacy shaped his artistic journey. Before shifting to fine arts, Meimban spent over a decade in animation, working with Hanna-Barbera and Disney Philippines on projects like Tarzan and Joseph the Dreamer. This experience shaped his unique visual style.
COELI MANESE
Finding peace in creating art is an experience that can lead to opportunities of self-reflection and the discovery of a fulfilling career path. Coeli Manese, a self taught artist, was working on sales and marketing in the hotel and resort industry for 20 years. Realizing she was drained from the same routines, she bravely decided to choose a different track for herself, taking her hobby of painting to a next level. For Coeli, it is both by God’s grace and the influence of her artist father that she has skills in painting, and it was her responsibility to develop them and to put them to good use. In 2018, started painting everyday for 2 years, and now, she has made a name for herself as an Abstract Expressionist with an impressive list of artistic accomplishments.
Since she officially began her career as a painter, she has achieved a Certificate for Curating and a Certificate for Arts Marketing from Sotheby's Institute of Art in London in 2019. The following year, she achieved a Certificate for In the Studio: Post War Abstract Painting and another for Modern Art & Ideas from the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Besides having her skills and artistry discovered from multiple group exhibitions she had joined, she has also held 3 solo exhibitions from 2020-2023 and already has 2 international collectors from Japan and Florida.
For Coeli, all these are blessings from the Lord, which have brought an abundance of positivity in her life. Because of this, she would also want to share the same light to those who will see and have her works. Her more current paintings, including her latest pair exhibited at the Monarch, are inspired by biblical songs, made with a mix of light and earth colors, and consist of organized brush strokes, hoping that each work will reflect her identity as “Coeli”, the Latin word for “Heaven”.
JESSIE CRIS FALALIMPA
Norlie Meimban is a renowned Filipino visual artist, animator, and sustainability advocate best known for pioneering Ani-motion—a unique technique that fuses traditional painting with animation principles to create dynamic, movement-inspired compositions. His ability to infuse kinetic energy into still images has made him one of the most innovative contemporary artists in the Philippines and beyond. A graduate of the University of the Philippines – College of Fine Arts, Meimban was strongly influenced by his father, Ely Meimban, whose creative legacy shaped his artistic journey. Before shifting to fine arts, Meimban spent over a decade in animation, working with Hanna-Barbera and Disney Philippines on projects like Tarzan and Joseph the Dreamer. This experience shaped his unique visual style.
HELENA ALEGRE
Paintings are worth as much as jewels for Helena Alegre. A former member of the prestigious Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Company, Alegre is a multi-disciplinary artist who has circled various forms of art, mainly performing, and visual.
Helena has an impressive portfolio, ranging from numerous successful exhibitions and art talks from 2013 to present. She has also received a number of awards and recognitions and is mostly known as an avant-garde sculptural jewelry designer. She is a member of multiple groups such as the Camarines Norte Jewellers Producers Association, Inc., Confederation of Philippine Jewellers, Inc., HABI: The Philippine Textile Council, and The Saturday Group of Artists.
Currently, she is making her name as a visual artist, taking interest in creating paintings of atmospheric abstract seascapes. She took her experience in sculpting semi-precious stones and silvers, bought her first painting materials, and made each brushstroke alive as an accessory to the canvas. She allows onlookers to feed one’s soul through her art. Now, it may always be the beach of Bagasbas that others may see and interpret as the inspiration to her works, but for Alegre, it is her emotions.
LYDIA VELASCO
The essence of a woman is indeed the very thing that Lydia Velasco herself is made of. She describes the women in her paintings as graceful, hardworking, sensual, strong, and independent. Her works reflect all the facets of her inner self - breaking free from the mold, seeking individuality, and freedom amid a mainly patriarchal society.
Having to work in a male-dominated advertising field in her early career, she proved herself through performing with excellence in any project she handled. Her desire to showcase the different facets of women was already evident even when she was still
part of HR Ocampo’s creative team who made storyboards for soap commercials. Being in the advertising industry for over a decade, she rose from the ranks and became Art Director for several companies such as Bates Alacantara, J. Walter Thompson, Pacifica, Ace Compton, Basic Advertising and McCann-Erickson Phils. She later ventured into entrepreneurship as co-owner of Lightmoves, an advertising photography and graphic design office.
It was only in 1992 that she started her exploration of the visual arts. Her early works were faceless figures with rigid torsos and varied poses, describing them as reflections of the artist’s soul seeking identity in the art world. She has, since then, participated in numerous group exhibitions for art galleries and ventured on solo shows in 1996. A number of her works have also been auctioned by international auction houses Sotheby’s, Borobudur, Larasati and Masterpiece.
As women continuously evolve in surprising ways both in her works and in real life, Lydia Velasco embodies the most crucial component of being a woman - someone who is unapologetically herself.
IOANNIS SICUYA
Ioannis Sicuya considers himself more of a builder than an artist. When he was young, he would watch his uncles as they constructed make-shift furniture and other functional objects out of discarded materials from their neighbors. He would break apart his own toys out of curiosity as to how they work, much to the frustration of his parents and when his toys are irreparably damaged, he would make new ones out of cardboard, chopsticks, glue and paper.
This fascination and curiosity mostly informed his art practice, which is evident in his early exploration in assemblage works and then evolved into his working almost exclusively with non-sag epoxy and wood. Sicuya’s recent works combine his fascination with organic forms, miniatures/dioramas, and landscape paintings. His approach to creating his imagined spaces closely parallel that of the tradition of capriccio paintings. In every artwork his aim is to invite his audience to take their eyes for a walk.
As an artist, Sicuya believes in the saying that “the weeds will win in the end.” This belief manifests through the weathered and degraded texture in his works, as if they have already been through the rigors of time. While it might evoke nihilistic perspectives to some, for Sicuya it puts into context our place in the universe. In the grand scheme of things our lives might be just a speck, us experiencing it already gives it deep meaning. Every crack and crease tells a story, every nook and cranny of a universe unto itself.
PULANG LUPA
One of the most compelling qualities of the arts is its ability to start discussions that can develop valuable connections between like minded individuals. Pulang Lupa, an emerging collective of multidisciplinary artists based in the South of Metro Manila, is proof of this fact. Consisting of Ez Arce, Marlon Asparen, Andie Jaro, and Jet Tan, the group of student artists from the University of the Philippines - Diliman collaborate to broaden their individual styles and narratives, and now have earned themselves a platform in The Monarch’s art gallery to showcase their talents to a wider audience. The group’s practice spans a variety of media from printmaking, painting, sculpture, installation, and interdisciplinary experimentations.
Since showcasing their works at the Luneta Art Fair in February 2024 and being discovered by the gallerist in the last day of the event, they have achieved not only the accomplishment of participating with a new art gallery in the South where most of them grew up, but also more opportunities to refine themselves as an artistic entity in the process.
Being artists whose ultimate goal is to continue growing and learning, they explore the mediums that they collectively share such as sculptural media and print media, and experiment on how these can be used as devices to further emphasize and enrich the conversations that they start with their art. With their participation in The Monarch’s art gallery, they hope to not only create works that are personal to them, but also those that can give the guests something to resonate with.
LARA LATOSA
Lara Latosa is a visual artist whose work, inspired by the ocean, explores themes of passion, mental wellness, and the fleeting nature of life. Her style features dynamic textures and fluid movement, using waves to evoke emotional depth and constant change.
This fluidity connects with Aquarius traits, known for its association with water and transformation. Like the ever-changing waves, Aquarius embodies movement and emotional flow, reflected in Latosa’s ability to invite diverse interpretations of her art.
MYLENE QUITO
Mylene Quito, an Aquarius herself, channels creativity and social consciousness through her self-taught art, blending figuration and abstraction to explore themes like motherly devotion and spiritual purity.
Her works have been internationally recognized in exhibitions across Asia, including Malaysia, China, Japan, and Singapore. With her characteristic persistence and eye for evolving artistic style, she has created innovative forms using thoughtful visual elements.
RONWALDO DASAL
Ronwaldo Dasal, a self-taught artist from Rizal, Philippines, found his true voice in sculpture, using epoxy clay to express his emotions and experiences. His work invites viewers to connect and reflect, believing art can spark change and leave a lasting legacy.
As a part of the Aquarius exhibit, Ronwaldo’s work aligns with the exhibit’s theme of innovation and individuality. His unique approach to sculpture embodies the forward-thinking and boundary-pushing spirit that the Aquarius symbol represents.
