Marking the annual celebration’s fourth year, MoCAF 2025 will feature over 50 exhibitors, as well as platforms that champion diversity within and beyond the Filipino creative landscape.
Manila’s premier art event, the Modern and Contemporary Art Festival (MoCAF 2025), is back and is ready to make yet another bold mark on the art scene. Now in its fourth year, it promises a memorable celebration, one that honors its past iterations while incorporating fresh ideas and approaches to foster a diverse creative community.
MoCAF 2025 will be taking place on July 11 to 13, 2025 at the Marquis Events Place in Bonifacio Global City, filling the venue with over 50 exhibitors representing more than 200 artists, and nearly 40 independent artisans—including an increasing number of international galleries.
“Since its inception, MoCAF has challenged itself to introduce something new every year, making MoCAF bigger in reach and more inclusive in approach—staying true to a principle we strongly started with,” shares Festival Director Coleen Wong. “This year, we’re proud to present a wide-ranging showcase of the best of modern and contemporary art, from established masters to emerging artists.”
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MoCAF XP: Creative Experiences For The Entire Community
MoCAF XP, the festival’s community arm, continues to broaden engagement and accessibility by bringing art into everyday life through interactive and approachable programming.
This year, MoCAF is partnering with Makati-based cultural hub The Astbury Club for the MoCAF XP Art Bazaar on June 28, 2025, from 11 AM to 8 PM. The bazaar will be featuring the works of young creatives, and hosting a Casting and Mold Making Workshop.
Meanwhile, on July 5, a Fabric Accessories and DIY Button Pin Workshop will be held at Mess Studio by Common Room in Makati, offering another hands-on opportunity to engage with local design and craft.
MoCAF XTN And MoCAF Discoveries: Cultivating New And Emerging Visions
Along with this, MoCAF XTN returns to provide a platform that supports younger galleries, rising artists, and alternative art forms, extending the festival’s reach beyond traditional spaces to nurture fresh creative voices alongside established artists.
“This initiative reflects our dedication to nurturing the next generation of artists while honoring the contributions of seasoned artists who shaped our understanding of art today,” Wong adds.
Meanwhile, MoCAF Discoveries (a signature program since 2022) will feature 10 artists from the 2024 roster and introduce 22 emerging talents to watch out for.
Art Advocacies
MoCAF proudly commits to community and inclusivity, supporting two significant initiatives. First is Fundacion Sansó’s ScholarSIP, which helps fund the education of young art students through scholarships. Then there’s the Mbrace Project, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Filipino children with disabilities and chronic illnesses.
“Through these partnerships, we aim to make art not only accessible, but also impactful where it’s needed most,” Wong expresses.
Finding The Art In Everything
But MoCAF 2025 is more than a showcase of exhibitions—it’s a celebration of creativity in all its forms. Beyond the galleries, attendees will discover fashion, crafts, jewelry, food, and performances, all highlighting the skill and passion of Filipino makers and innovators.
What makes this year’s edition even more special is its standout lineup of artisan brands, including Manila Middle Ground’s curated art and design goods; RUNIT DECKS’s collectible cards and puzzles; Tropik Beatnik’s handmade accessories; Wabi Sabi’s handcrafted ceramics; Miel Maker of Things’s playful fashion pieces; Clockwork Vintage’s rare timepieces; and ANTHILL’s sustainable, community-rooted woven wearables.
On the lifestyle front, MoCAF continues to bridge art and design through collaborations with local brands. Limited edition prints by Bad Student; exclusive merchandise with DBTK (Don’t Blame the Kids)l and a co-created line with Lumi Candles add texture and sensory depth to the festival experience.
Each brand brings a distinct voice and character to the festival’s diverse lineup, highlighting the depth and creativity of local makers.
Exhibitions At MoCAF 2025
MoCAF will also feature nine international galleries, including Vin Gallery (Vietnam), Core Contemporary Art (Malaysia), and Parallel+ (Hong Kong), alongside local debuts from White Walls Gallery, Space Encounters Gallery, Arcadia Art Gallery, and others.
Returning galleries include Village Art Gallery featuring Qwark; Ysobel Art Gallery; and Art For Space, showcasing artists like Demi Padua, and Ezeikel Fajardo, among others.
Special exhibitions add to the excitement, including a multigenerational showcase from the Orlina Family—Ramon Orlina and his children Anna and Michael. They’re joined by a line-up of solo shows by SAIS, Dennis Bato & Pinky Ibarra Urmaza, AR Manalo, Bryan Teves, Katrina Cuenca, Jaspher Penuliar, Juanito Torres, and a heartfelt tribute to the late Juvenal Sanso.
“We’re also thrilled to host Toym Imao’s large-scale sculpture from the 14th Gwangju Biennale, shown in the Philippines for the first time at MoCAF,” Wong shares with excitement.
For this year’s edition, MoCAF is supported by its major partners: the City of Taguig, Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation, Chinabank as the official bank partner, Vespa as the road partner, and Hotel 101 as the official hotel partner, who share the same vision of making art more accessible, engaging, and meaningful. With a larger scale, new programs, and a strong sense of community, MoCAF 2025 is shaping up to be the festival’s most exciting and affecting edition yet.
Tickets to MoCAF 2025 can be purchased online at mocaf.net or onsite during the festival. Students, PWDs, and Senior Citizens can avail of discounted rates.
Photos courtesy of MoCAF.
