Almost every year, my friends and I like to visit Art Fair Philippines held every February. We like looking at all the art exhibited and appreciate them. This year, I was able to get in for free because I'm a BPI client and I had my credit card with me that day.  

The venue this year changed from The Link Building to Ayala Triangle Garden. I think the change of venue made it a bigger exhibit than it was before. I can't say for sure but I do know that the move was to make it even more accessible to the public. 

These are works of art of Carlo Tanseco. It's an homage to the popular snacks from my childhood, more specifically Universal Robina Corporation's snacks. At first glance, you'd think these are just life sized version of the snacks. But when you look closer, instead of its brand names, what you'll read are messages like 100% Tanging Ikaw Ang Pinakamahalaga, Pinakamamahalin or Closer to Your Dreams. I love the creative take of the artist on these. In fact, Lance Gokongwei bought one of these art pieces. 

According to what I read, it was the artist thinking of his childhood days that inspired him to make the 20-piece collection, This was definitely one of the most popular booths at Art Fair Philippines 2025 and I can see why. Nostalgia and cheeky panache are always a hit with Filipinos.  

Last year, I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Manila in BGC, Taguig, with my friends to check out Banksy Universe Manila 2024. Of course, I had heard of Banksy, but I wasn't familiar with his artwork. All I knew was the Girl with the Balloon, as this is one of his best-known pieces.





I think Banksy is talking about consumerism in this piece. In this day and age, we're conditioned to want to live a life where we constantly compare what we have with others and want to have what they have or what they're doing, which can be a bad thing, especially when you really can't afford to do so. Keeping up with the Joneses as the saying goes.