The Modern and Contemporary Art Festival (MoCAF) is back for its fifth consecutive year, hosting its largest and most dynamic art festival ever. We’re talking about expanded galleries, programs, and collaborations, with over 50 local and international galleries, a variety of new and continuing programs, and partnerships in the arts and F&B industries
MoCAF began as a 19-gallery exhibition and has now expanded to become one of the Philippines’ most important hotspots for contemporary art. Since then, the festival has grown to include hundreds of visual artists and other creatives in just five years.
READ: Let’s have a ‘Disc.cussion’
MoCAF festival director Coleen Wong says, “Audiences can expect MoCAF 2026 to be bigger, more exciting, and even more engaging this year. We’re bringing in a stronger lineup of galleries, artists, and creatives.”
Galleries galore
A few of the eagerly anticipated local galleries include Ysobel Art Gallery’s “As Things Are” exhibit, which was conceptualized by seven artists and the nonprofit Fundacion Sansó. There will also be presentations by Art Underground, such as “Threshold” by Martin Maturan, “Prelude To A Soul” by JM Saycon, and “Of Thread & Pigment” by Rachelle Chu. White Walls Gallery’s “Self-Portrait vs. Self Portrait” features several participating artists and their works about internal identity and external projection.
International galleries will also be present, such as Kate Contemporary Madrid, exhibiting “The Collection,” featuring Spanish artist Laura Hernández Pérez and Asian artists Collagecanto, Erikson Arcilla, Emman Cardeño, Quiban, and Chino Yulo. Singapore art gallery White Space Art Asia will showcase six Asian artists, including Andry Boy Kurniawan, Palito Perak, Aurora Santika, Shen Zi Yao, Zhang Wen, and Kei Sugiyama. Japanese art galleries Gallery Kogure and Shikisaisha Gallery, meanwhile, will showcase pieces by Naoya Oshima, Mayuno Kobayashi, and Shoko Mihira, among others.
The festival will also see works by street artist Jappy Agoncillo, a special exhibit by Jerika See and Sheila Go, a partnership between Toym Imao and Tarantadong Kalbo, an evolution exhibit of their MoCAF Discoveries (where they have showcased more than 200 young artists), and the return of Chinabank as the festival’s principal bank partner through an initiative showcasing 100 artworks by 100 artists this year.
Different craft, same Filipino creativity
For the first time at MoCAF, digital artists and illustrators will stage pieces printed and framed in partnership with Art Caravan. Along with this, MoCAFLimited is back with curated artist-made items, including a limited-edition capsule collection created in association with Team Manila.
READ: Art Basel sees high-voltage Picasso, Hockney sales
There is also an exclusive space for handcrafters, makers, and independent creative brands called Xtn Artisans, with brands such as Milkwear, Baybayin Bags, Armore Collective, Anmari & Co., and Binibini Marikit.
To top it all off, they have Xtn Bites, which offers food and drinks from Odd Café, Butterboy, Hijo DeMexican Cantina, joined by The Good Poison, Fiasfud, Bored & Hungry, The Spirits Library, and Sipp, among others.
A site of unexpected possibility
The best part of MoCAF has always been its dedication to access and inclusivity. This year, MoCAF Gives Back continues to support the Mbrace Project, which supports Filipino children with cancer, chronic illnesses, and learning disabilities through art education, hospital support, and advocacy, and ScholarSip by Fundacion Sansó, which helps finance the higher studies of art scholars.
All things considered, MoCAF 2026 upholds the festival’s original philosophy that contemporary art is a living, developing conversation that belongs to every willing person.
MoCAF 2026 will take place from July 3 to 5, 2026, at Marquis Events Place in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Tickets cost P380 and can be bought on Klook. Discounted pricing is also available to seniors, PWDs, and students.
