Tubo Cebu Art Fair, the region’s premier gathering for artists, collectors, curators, and the public is returning for its highly anticipated 2025 edition from August 29 to 31 at the Ayala Center Cebu.
The three-day gathering is free to the public and operates during regular mall hours (10:00 AM to 9:00 PM), ensuring that art remains within reach of everyday people.
With the theme “Provenance,” this year’s fair continues its mission to strengthen connections between artists and audiences by delving into the histories, stories, and cultural origins that shape Cebuano art.
“In the art world, ‘Provenance’ refers to an artwork’s biography, including its journey and the contexts that give it meaning and value. As this year’s thematic prompt, ‘Provenance’ invites artists and audiences to explore a lesser-known side of Cebuano art by looking into its history,” explains Prof. Jay Nathan Jore, Fair Curator.
Since its inception in 2018 with just 30 participating artists, Tubo has blossomed into a thriving cultural event, providing a place for creatives, especially grassroots and emerging artists from Central and Southern Philippines, to release their personal archives, unexhibited collections, or experimental work without intermediaries.
“What sets Tubo apart is its artist-centric model. Bypassing traditional gallery representation, it empowers artists to engage directly with audiences, leading to greater appreciation and mutual exchange,” says Prof. Jore.
Tubo offers affordable price points to help artists raise funds for future exhibitions, projects, and commissions while creating more avenues for flexible patronage of regional art.
(From left to right) Prof. Jay Nathan Jore, Fair Curator; Allen Arvin Tan, Fair Director; Mariz Rallos, Fair Coordinator; and Alyssa Selanova, Curatorial Senior Supervisor of The Kabilin Center.
“The fair creates a living, breathing ecosystem, not only as an open space for showcasing and selling regional art but also as a platform for collaboration, conversation, and co-creation,” says Allen Arvin Tan, Fair Director.
Visitors can expect a multisensory experience with curated art performances, interactive installations, live art demos, music, and thought-provoking panel discussions.
Adding depth to the audience experience are two thematic prompts for the featured artists. This dual focus on “Provenance” and “Ascend” expands the interpretive lens through which artists can explore identity, memory, and aspiration.
Confirmed collaborators for this year’s Image of the Fair include Khriss Bajade, John “Nark” Villoria, Jonathan Abellana, and Gabi Nazareno, representing a diverse range of mediums and backgrounds.
A special highlight is the launch of Josua Cabrera’s graphic novel “…Si Jimsky Ug Ang Tanghaga Sa Balay Sa Agta”, scheduled for August 29 at 4:00 PM at the Ayala Center Cebu Activity Center, followed by an artist talk at 4:30 PM. Additionally, Tubô will feature the works of Martino Abellana, the Dean of Cebuano painters.
“Tubo is a bold statement of what art can be when it’s rooted in community, authenticity, and purpose. It amplifies the unique voices and stories of artists from Visayas and Mindanao, giving space to underrepresented creatives,” says Prof. Jore.
The event is supported by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Cebu Arts Council, and PRWorks, Inc., as the official PR partner. Additionally, Agimat, MyTV, and Keeta as official media partners.
Learn more about Tubo Art Fair at https://facebook.com/TuboCebuArtFair
