In its latest collaboration with a Filipino artist, IQOS transformed RCBC Plaza into a space where contemporary art and innovation meet through the introspective, eye-catching works of Isabel Santos.
This article is in collaboration with IQOS and is for adult nicotine users who would otherwise smoke.
Imagine this: it’s a Friday night, and you’re walking through the halls of RCBC Plaza, a Makati skyscraper best known for its ties to commerce. Suddenly, on the third floor, you hear the unexpected buzz of music. Light blue hues spill through one of the doorways. Your curiosity gets the better of you, and you take a peek. It’s a party, humming with excitement.
Lo and behold, the conductor of this electric and melodic atmosphere is none other than IQOS, the innovative brand behind heated tobacco products that continues its mission of offering adult smokers in the Philippines smokeless alternatives. Events like this aren’t just parties, but also immersive spaces designed to encourage a shift toward a smoke-free lifestyle while positioning the brand at the intersection of technology, design, and contemporary art.
The party, which took place on February 6, 2026, marked the second celebration of IQOS’s partnership with a Filipino talent. This year, they’ve chosen Isabel Santos, an acclaimed artist and illustrator known for her strikingly layered visual commentaries on culture.
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A Peek Into The Curious
For the IQOS x Isabel Santos collaboration, the company transformed the expansive RCBC venue into an immersive environment, complete with an exhibition of the artist’s works, a station where guests could have their IQOS devices customized, and interactive installations, including a digital wall where attendees could create their own drawings. Cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres set the tone for the Friday evening until Zhenya Ivanov, PMFTC President, took the stage to welcome guests and thank them for coming.
Isabel later arrived to unveil a new artwork created specifically for the partnership. Rendered in her abstract yet elegant style, the piece demonstrated why the brand and Isabel are such a natural fit. Together, they explore how art, design, and innovation can refine the familiar, creating thoughtful expressions that move with you and elevate everyday moments. Selected works in her signature style will also be available as limited-edition IQOS merchandise, including a roam tag, mini carryall cases, snap wallets, and of course, IQOS devices that can be personalized.
“This collaboration brings that shared curiosity in everyday form,” shared IQOS Brand Manager Henry Yap about the pieces. “Isabel transformed that into works that move across different formats.” Isabel then took center stage for a bow before signing her new artwork in front of the crowd, officially sealing the collaboration.
Night At The Museum
The program was short and sweet, with Isabel and IQOS representatives graciously sharing the creative process behind their partnership. Afterwards, a select group of guests was invited down to the Yuchengco Museum for a special experiential dinner with the artist. Traveling to the ground floor, they were led through the museum—now flooded in blue flowing hues reminiscent of IQOS’s signature palette—toward long LED tables projecting shimmering water imagery. Here, guests dined in close proximity to the masterpieces housed within the museum itself, which was an art lover’s dream.
Another art form was then served: gastronomy. A five-course meal delighted guests’ palates, beginning with a delicate serving of Beef Cheeks and Porcini Mushrooms with Truffle Cream Sauce, Parmigiano Reggiano, and Beef Jus; and concluding with a rich Choco Praline Mousse Cake. In between were generous pours of wine, laughter, and spirited conversations about art and culture.
Party The Night Away
When dinner concluded, guests were invited back to the third-floor event space, which had, in just a few hours, transformed into a lively celebration of the IQOS x Isabel Santos collaboration. The room was filled with legal-aged smokers, tastemakers, and, most importantly, Isabel’s close friends, who toasted to the successful launch at the open bar.
Moments like these not only make art more accessible but also remind us that a smoke-free future can be approached with both delicacy and flair. As the recent collaboration suggests, it’s all about the act of curiosity—stepping into the unexpected and discovering something new along the way.
Photography by Kim Angela Santos & Excel Panlaque of KLIQ Inc.
