Manila essence: your guide to city's contemporary art scene
We tell you what to see in Manila's contemporary art hubs of Makati, Quezon City and Malate.
Manila has one of Asia's most energetic contemporary art scenes. Galleries, interior design shops and museums are spread across the city. The notorious traffic may be daunting, but with a little planning, it is easy to take in the art hubs of Makati, Quezon City and the historic district of Malate.
Street style
Manila's roads offer a moving art gallery — the ubiquitous jeepneys — and an introduction to themes often seen in Manila's art galleries. These elongated low-slung buses, originally made from US military jeeps, are decorated with colourful vinyl decals for protection and good luck — the baby Jesus (Santo Niño) and Virgin Mary predominate, as do colourful Japanese/Philippine manga-styled characters. A recent book introduces leading artist Mark Justiniani, whose art of social commentary often replicates the jeepney aesthetic.
Green spaces
