New World Makati opens ‘Likha: The Living Gallery’ to celebrate Filipino artists

As it marks its 32nd anniversary, New World Makati Hotel is turning its lobby into a vibrant showcase of Filipino creativity through Likha: The Living Gallery, a six-month contemporary art exhibition that celebrates local artists while supporting arts education.

Running from July 15 to December 2026, the exhibition is presented in partnership with Galerie Joaquin and Art Forward Manila, bringing together more than 30 established and emerging Filipino artists in a curated collection of paintings and sculptures displayed throughout the hotel’s main lobby and upper deck.

From left, Aaron Virata (Artist, Art Forward), Juergen Kreipl (General Manager, New World Makati Hotel), Bea Pimentel-Aquino (Co-Founder, Art Forward), Lala Jara-Tuazon (Co-Founder, Art Forward), Lynn Pinugu (Executive Director, Mano Amiga), Marilyn Espino (Director of Logistics, Galerie Joaquin), and Ann Moneda (Artist, Galerie Joaquin).

Among the featured artists are Juvenal Sansó, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Merit, and Raul Isidro, a Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awardee, alongside a new generation of contemporary Filipino artists whose works reflect the country’s evolving artistic landscape. To keep the exhibition fresh and engaging, a new collection of artworks will be introduced halfway through its six-month run.

The exhibition forms part of the hotel’s Power of Local campaign, an initiative that seeks to immerse guests in authentic Filipino culture by highlighting local artistry, craftsmanship, and community partnerships.

“At New World Makati Hotel, we believe every stay should offer a genuine sense of place,” said Juergen Kreipl, General Manager of New World Makati Hotel. “Through Likha: The Living Gallery, we are proud to celebrate the extraordinary talent of Filipino artists while creating meaningful experiences that connect our guests with the culture and creativity of the Philippines.”

From left, Runaway with my Love by Jinky Lorenzo-Reynoso, Crystalline Bloom by Ann Moneda, and Loaded with Blessings by Aljo Pingol.

Beyond showcasing art, the exhibition also carries a social purpose. All featured works are available for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Mano Amiga Foundation, which provides quality education opportunities for underserved Filipino children. The initiative enables collectors to support both local artists and educational programs through every acquisition.

Among the works on display are Runaway with My Love by Jinky Lorenzo-Reynoso, Crystalline Bloom by Ann Moneda, Loaded with Blessings by Aljo Pingol, and Together We Grow, a sculpture by James Gabito that greets visitors on the hotel’s upper deck.

Together We Grow by James Gabito is among the curated sculptures gracing the upper deck of New World Makati Hotel.

“As we celebrate our 32nd anniversary, we invite our guests and the community to experience Likha: The Living Gallery and discover how the Power of Local continues to shape the experiences we create,” Kreipl added.

Admission to Likha: The Living Gallery is free and open to the public daily through December 2026 at New World Makati Hotel.

For more information about Likha: The Living Gallery and New World Makati Hotel’s 32nd Anniversary offers, visit www.newworldhotels.com/makati⁠, email servicecentre.manila@newworldhotels.com, call +63 2 8811 6888, or follow New World Makati Hotel on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.