Vlad Bunoan

Article (news)

Malang mural

Leah C. Salterio

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1769774717090IMG_2864.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>The Malang mural to be auctioned. Handout</div>MANILA -- A mural-sized painting of Mauro Malang Santos that he collaborated with his sons Soler and Steve in 2000 and a monumental mural, “Paglaom Padayon,” created by the Sanggawa Group, an artists’ collective, will be two of the major highlights in this year’s benefit auction of Leon Gallery in partnership with the Asian Cultural Council (ACC) Philippines. The auction will feature a curated selection of works by distinguished and emerging artists highlighting the richness and diversity of Philippine art.“Paglaom Padayon” is a Cebuano phrase that translates to “move forward with hope” and homage to Botong Francisco’s iconic 1964 mural, “Filipino Struggles Through History.”“Paglaom Padayon” encapsulates the Filipino people&#x27;s collective power, fueled by a shared vision and hope for the nation&#x27;s advancement.is a modern-day created by Sanggawa group, composed of former Salingpusa members and now influential forces in the contemporary art scene – Elmer Borlongan, Mark Justiniani, Joy Mallari, Karen Flores and Federico Sievert.Meanwhile, Malang’s colossal work in the new millennium, marked his 72nd birthday and his four decades in the art scene.This 2026 marks the 11th year of the partnership between Leon Galleries and ACC Philippines for the auction. Proceeds will support the ACC Philippines Fellowship Program for Filipino Artists and scholars. The auction is happening on February 14, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Eurovilla 1 Rufino corner Legazpi Sts., Legazpi Village, Makati City. There will be a preview week from February 7 to 12, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. “This is a very important event,” Leon Gallery board member Malu Gamboa told ABS-CBN News. “A lot of funds that we use for grants for our artists come from this auction.”<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1769774867189IMG_2865.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Handout</div>In a particularly strong pre-pandemic year, the auction recorded one of its best performances with the sale of Jose Joya’s &quot;Space Transfiguration.&quot;“That was a special moment for us because Jose Joya is a grantee of ACC in 1969,” Gamboa said. “We are inviting art lovers, all those who want to buy special and gifts that will keep on giving. Please consider going to our auction and consider participating.“There are many ways to participate. You don’t have to be there physically since it’s a busy day. You can get in touch with any of us, any of the board members and we can bid for you. You can also bid online. You don’t have to be present.”Proceeds from the auction have helped dancers, theater groups, and artists.“On lean years, Leon Gallery can only give three grants. On great years, we can give as much as eight grants. Each grant costs about US$60,000. That’s about P3.5 million per person. That can be a six-week grant, six-month grant, a two-month grant.“The grants are tailor-made for every artist. The price also ranges. Minimum that I’ve seen is $30,000.”Two grantees who recently returned home after their six-month New York fellowship ended this January are Tanghalang Pilipino artist-director Toni Go and playwright-director Joshua Lim So.Meanwhile, the two new grantees whom Leon Galleries and ACC sending off this July are Philippine Educational Theater Association’s artistic director J-mee Katanyag, who will go on a six-month grant in New York and contemporary dance artist, choreographer and educator Alexa Torte from the University of the Philippines, who will pursue a graduate program for two years in Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts.“Fundraising activities such as this auction are crucial in determining how many grants we can give, depending on how much money we raised,” Gamboa said.

The auction brings together established and emerging Filipino artists in support of ACC Philippines’ fellowship program for artists and scholars.

The auction brings together established and emerging Filipino artists in support of ACC Philippines’ fellowship program for artists and scholars.

Malang, Sanggawa murals highlight Leon Gallery–ACC benefit auction

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

People, Culture, and Events

Malang, Sanggawa murals highlight Leon Gallery–ACC benefit auction

Leah C. Salterio

Published January 31, 2026 10:00 AM PHT

Read More:

Leon Gallery

auction

Malang

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.