The Rotary Club of Makati presented “UGNAY,” a fundraising art exhibit at The Peninsula Manila that celebrated collaboration, culture, and creativity, examining Filipino identity through memory, abstraction, and civic engagement. Proceeds will benefit RCM’s community service initiatives.
Headlining the show was renowned Filipino artist Dominic Rubio, celebrated for his nostalgic depictions of Filipino identity and heritage. Rubio, born in 1970 in Paete, Laguna, studied Commercial Arts at the University of Santo Tomas before pursuing painting full-time.
His signature elongated figures in colonial-era attire, set against romanticized Old Manila or countryside scenes, have become icons of cultural memory. His works have been featured at Sotheby’s, Christie’s, and in landmark murals like “The Great Promenade of Philippine-American Friendship” at the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Art patron Rosita Lara Lumagui, managing director of Worldwide Resource Solutions Philippines and a guest-of-honor at “UGNAY,” noted that Rubio’s work “captures the essence of Filipino culture,” reflecting traditions while incorporating modern elements with a nostalgic flair.
Through his paintings and functional art, Rubio invites viewers to reconnect with and carry forward Filipino heritage. Joining him were three emerging talents: Aaron Virata Mempin, Anton Cabrera, and Jean Uy. Together, their artworks form a dialogue between tradition and innovation, bringing modernity, abstraction, and contemporary sensibilities to the conversation.
Aaron Virata Mempin, also known as A in art and communication circles, is a geometric abstract artist and dedicated Rotarian. His elegant, minimalist compositions are deeply inspired by the lines of sand, the serenity of waves, and the shifting horizons of Philippine beaches, reflecting calm and hope found in natural landscapes.
Anton Cabrera, known by his artist alias CABSTRAK, began his journey into abstract art in 2015. His bold and imaginative works are recognized for their vivid fusion of rainbows, astronomy, and raw emotional expression.
Jean Uy Yam, a mother of two and a lawyer, quietly captures the poetry of everyday life in her paintings. She has painted since high school but found more time to pursue and share her art publicly during the pandemic, debuting her work on social media to raise funds for charities like Caritas Manila and AHA Learning Center.
“Each artist brings a unique perspective,” Lumagui noted. “Aaron’s work is structured and meditative, Anton’s is intuitive and reflective, and Jean’s is radiant and deeply human. Together, they create a balanced and compelling dialogue.”
The unveiling ceremony brought together a distinguished group of guests, including Lumagui, COMELEC Commissioner Ferdinand Maceda Jr., Rotary Club of Makati President Eduardo H. Galvez, Supreme Court Justice Midas Marquez, Rotary District 3830 Governor Reginald Alberto Nolido, past Governor Maria Concepcion Camacho, and Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Abdul Malik Castelino.
For inquiries, visit The Peninsula Manila concierge or email rcm3830@gmail.com.
