Mindanao Visual Arts Convention 2025

Mindanao Visual Arts Convention 2025 Mindanao Visual Arts Convention 2025 - Celebrating artistic expression, cultural exchange & Mindanao's diverse visual arts.

MVACON 2025 Gala Night: A Celebration of Art, Culture, and FellowshipKidapawan City, August 26, 2025 – The Mindanao Visu...
02/09/2025

MVACON 2025 Gala Night: A Celebration of Art, Culture, and Fellowship

Kidapawan City, August 26, 2025 – The Mindanao Visual Arts Convention 2025 (MVACON 2025) capped the day’s activities with a much-awaited Gala Night at Imelda’s Hall Park-Lay Suites, Quirino Drive, Kidapawan City.

The Gala brought together artists, cultural workers, and delegates from across Mindanao in an evening dedicated to fellowship, celebration, and the recognition of the region’s vibrant creative spirit. It served not only as a social gathering but also as a symbolic space where conversations and collaborations continued beyond the plenary sessions.

With an atmosphere of elegance and camaraderie, the MVACON Gala Night highlighted the unity of Mindanao’s artistic community, honoring both tradition and innovation while looking forward to a stronger, more connected future for the visual arts.

Photos | Noel San Andres, National Committee on Visual Arts (NCVA)
Pao Oxiño, Mindanao Visual Arts Convention 2025 Photographer

From Mindanao to the World: MVACON 2025 Day 2 in FocusKidapawan City, August 26, 2025 – The second day of the Mindanao V...
02/09/2025

From Mindanao to the World: MVACON 2025 Day 2 in Focus

Kidapawan City, August 26, 2025 – The second day of the Mindanao Visual Arts Convention 2025 (MVACON 2025) opened with a Morning Plenary Session that combined reflection, dialogue, and forward-looking discussions on the evolving role of Mindanaoan artists in the digital age.

The session began with Moderator Ms. Ivy Yecyec, followed by a recap of the previous day’s highlights by Joeffrey Omar Casan. Ms. Yecyec then introduced the morning’s first keynote panel.

In Panel Discussion 6: “Looking After: Roles of the Artists in Perpetuating Mindanao Identity in the Digital and AI Age, Specifically the Young Artists,” Prof. Rogelio Jun Cayas Jr., Head of the Fine Arts Department of the University of Mindanao (Davao City), emphasized the responsibilities of the next generation of creatives in preserving cultural identity while navigating technological change.

This was followed by the Visual Arts Regional Report, where delegation leads shared experiences and updates from their respective regions, providing a collective snapshot of the state of visual arts across Mindanao.

The session continued with an Art Talk featuring Emerging Artists, introduced by Ms. Yecyec, spotlighting promising talents who shared their works and perspectives:

1. Neil Robin D. Gayramara
2. Jushua A. Rotante
3. Simon Santos A. Mindaro
4. Dawn Jamela D. Caritan
5. Cielo Aspiras
6. Joeffrey Casan
7. Shaira Recto
8. Jerry James Deran
9. Sarsalem Melekysu
10. Wildy Mae Sandig
11. Ninianne Sojor

The Final Panel Discussion tackled “Building International Partnerships and Collaborations: Curatorial Practice and Highlighting Cross-Currents and Under Currents through Contemporary Art.” Esteemed speakers included:

• Dr. Abraham Garcia, Assistant Curator for the 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art at the Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art (Brisbane, Australia)
• Al Nezzar Ali, Guest Curator (Philippines) for “Isle to Isle: A Reflection of BIMP-EAGA Through Contemporary Art” at the Balai Seni Negara–National Art Gallery (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

A lively Q&A Session followed, allowing participants to engage with the panelists on global opportunities and cross-cultural exchanges in contemporary art.

To conclude, the Drafting and Presentation of the MVACON 2025 Resolution was led by NCVA members, setting a collective direction for the future of Mindanao visual arts. The session ended with a Closing Message and Acknowledgment by Remy H. Orias, Project Consultant and Consultant on Arts and Culture of the Kidapawan Mayor’s Office, who commended the delegates and organizers for their commitment to cultural development.

With its blend of critical dialogue, artistic sharing, and international perspectives, Day 2 reaffirmed MVACON 2025 as a vital platform for shaping the future of Mindanaoan art in both local and global contexts.

Photos | Noel San Andres, National Committee on Visual Arts (NCVA)
Pao Oxiño, Mindanao Visual Arts Convention 2025 Photographer

From Stage to Canvas: MVACON 2025 Opens in Kidapawan City Kidapawan City, August 25, 2025 – The Mindanao Visual Arts Con...
02/09/2025

From Stage to Canvas: MVACON 2025 Opens in Kidapawan City

Kidapawan City, August 25, 2025 – The Mindanao Visual Arts Convention 2025 (MVACON 2025) officially opened in grand fashion at Imelda’s Hall Park-Lay Suites, Quirino Drive, Kidapawan City, with a day filled with vibrant cultural showcases, inspiring messages, and thought-provoking panel discussions.

The morning began with the Parade of Delegations, followed by preliminaries that included a heartfelt Song of Praise (“Goodness of God”) by Jhon Mark E. Datulayta, the Pambansang Awit via the NCCA video, the Kidapawan Hymn, and teaser presentations for both NCCA and MVACON 2025.

The Program Proper was highlighted by “Kulturang Mindanao: Magpalamabuon,” an opening cultural extravaganza performed by the Koronadal Hinugyaw Cultural Dance Troupe. Messages of welcome and support were delivered by Jamir M. Legaspi on behalf of the Vice Mayor, Al Nezzar Ali (MVACON 2025 Primer), and Atty. Paolo Evangelista, Mayor of Kidapawan City.

The Keynote Address was delivered by Dr. Dennis Montera, Chairperson of the National Committee on Visual Arts (NCVA), following his introduction by Roose Lee Adaya. Intermission performances by the Koronadal Hinugyaw Cultural Dance Troupe and the Kidapawan City Performing Arts Guild added spectacle and color to the ceremonies.

The event culminated in the Formal Declaration of the Opening of MVACON 2025, followed by a Grand Tutti Finale Production by the Koronadal Hinugyaw Cultural Dance Troupe and the Parade of Fruit Art Installation by the Kidapawan City Visual Artists — a visual celebration of art, culture, and local creativity.

In the Afternoon Session, the convention shifted to meaningful dialogue and exchange. Moderated by Ivy Yecyec, a series of panel discussions explored the evolving landscape of visual arts in the Philippines and Mindanao, featuring distinguished speakers:

1. Dr. Dennis Montera – The Philippine Visual Arts Summit 2025: Pointers & Takeaways
2. Ms. Kelly Ramos – Inclusivity and Diversity in the Visual Arts: Mindanao Lens and Art Spaces
3. Mr. Leonardo “Bing” Cariño – Intersecting Spaces: Art Practice in Academic Research Presentation
4. Dr. Abraham Abe Garcia – Dialogue Between Artmaking and Mindanao Traditions in Contemporary Art
5. Mr. Wilfred Dexter Tañedo – Beyond the Canvas: Exploring the Evolving Landscape of Art Spaces

The session concluded with an Open Forum and Q&A featuring all panelists, fostering exchange of insights between artists, scholars, and participants.

With its fusion of culture, performances, and intellectual discourse, Day 2 of MVACON 2025 truly embodied its mission: celebrating identity, deepening conversations, and shaping the future of Mindanaoan art.

Photos | Noel San Andres, National Committee on Visual Arts (NCVA)
Pao Oxiño, Mindanao Visual Arts Convention 2025 Photographer

Colors of Mindanao Unfold at MVAC 2025Kidapawan City, August 24, 2025 – The Mindanao Visual Arts Convention 2025 (MVAC 2...
02/09/2025

Colors of Mindanao Unfold at MVAC 2025

Kidapawan City, August 24, 2025 – The Mindanao Visual Arts Convention 2025 (MVAC 2025) opened its first day of programs at the Kidapawan City Gymnasium, setting the stage for a meaningful celebration of Mindanaoan creativity and cultural identity.

The program began with the Overture of Kulintangan by the Koronadal Hinugyaw Cultural Dance Troupe, an opening performance that highlighted the richness of indigenous musical heritage. This was followed by a Message of Welcome from City Councilor Joson Roy T. Sibug, who expressed the city’s pride in hosting artists and delegates from across Mindanao.

Adding a national perspective, Dr. Dennis Montera, Chairperson of the National Committee on Visual Arts, delivered a message underscoring the role of art in uniting communities and preserving cultural narratives.

The day also marked the grand opening of two major exhibitions:
•“Emerging Artists,” with curatorial notes from Dr. Abraham A. Garcia, Jr.
•“Mindanao Mosaic: Delegation Art Exhibition,” with curatorial notes from Michael E. Bacol

These exhibitions provided a platform to showcase both fresh perspectives from rising artists and the diverse artistic traditions of Mindanao’s delegations.

To complete the day’s highlights, the much-anticipated Art Totem Competition by Delegations officially began. Each group presented their creative symbols of unity, tradition, and artistic identity, setting the tone for the collaborative spirit of the convention.

With a balance of performance, dialogue, and visual storytelling, Day 1 of MVAC 2025 laid a vibrant foundation for the weeklong convention, celebrating the boundless creativity of Mindanao.

Photos | Noel San Andres, National Committee on Visual Arts (NCVA)
Pao Oxiño, Mindanao Visual Arts Convention 2025 Photographer

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