Daydreaming in Paradise

Thanks to the advent of social media, art in the Philippines is now no longer confined to the dry galleries of yesteryears. Instead, you can take a look at some of the best contemporary art in the Philippines by simply opening an app on your phone, or by hopping over to your nearest art fair. Philippine arts and culture are more accessible now than ever, and there’s never been a more exciting time to be an art enthusiast in this country.

The public has long had a fascination with artistic works, and you can see that art is now moving beyond the standard museum fare. In the Philippine art history timeline, no other era has had as much variety, both in medium and in the artists themselves, as this one. Whether you look at visual art, video art, performance art, or any other style in the Philippines, you’ll more likely than not find a Filipino artist making waves. To familiarize yourself with the modern art scene in the country, here’s a list of Philippine artists and their works below.

While our concept of theater might be the traditional plays and musicals, the reality is that the performing arts are constantly evolving. Technology is one aspect, with productions continually pushing the envelope when it comes to the technical aspects of the staging. However, much of that development also has to do with performances and direction. Immersive theater is a currently expanding frontier in the local theater scene, and it’s something for both longtime fans and new enthusiasts to take note of. Here’s a look at what exactly immersive theater means, and where you can try it out in the Metro.

As the old saying goes, women hold up half the sky. So much of human culture, society, and economics wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the seen and unseen contributions of women throughout history. Even beyond creating new life, women have opened new frontiers in science, literature, the arts, and politics. Who can forget the work of Marie Curie, or the bravery of Gabriela Silang?

What women have done for society is impossible to quantify, but it’s important to honor them anyway. Thus, to close off March and Women’s Month, take a look at these five Filipina women who are making waves in their current fields.