ManilArt, the Philippines’ first major and longest running visual arts fair, will mount its 11th edition Oct. 9-13 at SMX Aura in Taguig City.

The flagship project of the National Committee on Art Galleries (NCAG) under the Subcommission on Cultural Heritage of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the five-day event will again be part of the nationwide celebration of October as Museums and Galleries Month under Presidential Proclamation No. 798.

Ramon Orlina glass sculpture wows viewers.

This year’s theme is “Showcasing the Global Filipino Artist.”

“It will encompass the wide range of creative power the country has to offer,” said NCAG head Delan Robillos. “The nation’s diverse art practitioners, exhibitors and supporters will contribute to the ever-growing tapestry that is the Filipino identity, furthering the significance and responsibility of visual arts in today’s sociopolitical landscape.”

K-12 senior high students under Humanities and Social Sciences academic strand join ManilART as interns.

The VIP Lounge will feature 100-150 sculptures by Susanito Sarnate of Negros Occidental and a mural painting by Anthony Palomo of Batangas. “These are visual commentaries on the modern diaspora as well as other contemporary social issues, dreams and narratives of Filipinos both here and abroad,” explained curator Jaime Pacena II. —CONTRIBUTED

ManilArt’s invitational opening is on Oct. 9. Public run is on Oct. 10-12, SMX Convention Center, 3/L, SM Aura Premier, Taguig; tel. 0977-8073369; email [email protected]