Opening of Hiraya: The Colors of Life Exhibit (Belmont Hotel Manila, Pasay City, Metro Manila)

 

Hiraya - The Colors of Life Exhibit

Last November 4, 2026, Hiraya: The Colors of Life, a recurring and ongoing, multi-edition lobby art and cultural exhibit series hosted by Belmont Hotel Manila in collaboration with Fili Artists, opened at Café Belmont.  

Ribbon cutting

Designed to support world-class Filipino talents and bring art outside traditional gallery spaces, Hiraya (from an ancient Filipino word meaning “imagination,” “the power of the mind” or “the fruits of one’s hopes, dreams and aspirations”) featured 18 paintings from 7 Fili visual artists - Mr. Ruel Concepcion, Ms. Karen Hernandez, Mr. Louie Maipid, Ms. Carla Rimmington, Ms. Heidi Rodis, Ms. Kristine Joy Padua and Ms. Erian Gallardo.  The last two were present at the opening.  The 18 paintings on display are:

• Beyond the Abyss (Heidi Rodis, 24” x 36,”mixed media and acrylic paint on canvas, Php40,000)
• Life in Spring (Diptych by Kristine Joy Padua, 16” x 20,” acrylic paint on canvas, Php40,000)
• In Humble Things (Karen Hernandez, 22” x 36,”acrylic paint on canvas, Php40,000)
• Golden Stillness (Louie Maipid, 36” x 24,” acrylic paint on canvas, Php40,000)
• Incredible Potential (Kristine Joy Padua, 20” x 30,” acrylic paint on canvas, Php1,111,111)
• Blush in Bloom (Erian Gallardo, 8” x 10,” acrylic paint on canvas, Php15,000)
• Garden Joy (Erian Gallardo, 8” x 10,” acrylic paint on canvas, Php15,000)
• Swans in Flight (Diptych by Kristine Joy Padua, 42” x 60,” acrylic paint on canvas, Php120,000)
• The Sparrow (Kristine Joy Padua, 20” x 30,” acrylic paint on canvas, Php40,000)
• Provide (Kristine Joy Padua, 40” x 20,” acrylic paint on canvas, Php40,000)
• Joyful Dance of Two Betta Fish (Ruel Concepcion, 31.5” 47,” acrylic paint on canvas, Php40,000)
• Within the Frame (Louie Maipid, 19” x 15,” watercolor, Php10,000)
• Sunkissed (Louie Maipid, 75” x 15,” watercolor, Php15,000)
• Swan Lake (Louie Maipid, 11.75” x 15,” watercolor, Php15,000)
• Celebrate (Kristine Joy Padua,19.5” diameter, mixed media and acrylic paint on canvas, Php25,000)
• Bagras (Kristine Joy Padua, 24” x 36,” acrylic paint on canvas, Php40,000)
• The Sun Also Rises (Kristine Joy Padua, 72” x 48,” acrylic paint on canvas, Php85,000)
• A Moment of Peace (Carla Rimmington, 11.7” x 16.5,” oil pencil with ink, Php10,000)

 

L-R: Beyond the Abyss (Heidi Rodis), Life in Spring (Diptych by Kristine Joy Padua), In Humble Things (Karen Hernandez) and Golden Stillness (Louie Maipid)

On display at the hotel lobby as well as in Café Belmont, all exhibited artworks are open to hotel guests and the general public, with most displayed artworks available for acquisition through the hotel team. You can also browse the collection online via the Hiraya Colors of Life Catalog.  The exhibit will run until December 31, 2026.

 

L-R: Ms. Mayanne Malapote (BHM General Manager), Ms. Kristine Joy Padua, Ms. Erian Gallardo and Mr. Rupert Tancioco (BHM Director of Operations)

The exhibit was spearheaded by Belmont Hotel Manila Manager Ms. Mayann Malapote and Megaworld Hotels & Resorts Cluster General Manager Socrates “Sonny” S. Alvaro as a platform to uplift Filipino creatives.

 

Ms. Mayanne Malapote (BHM General Manager)

Fili Artists is a non-profit collective of Filipino visual artists, from across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, whose works celebrate the diversity, creativity, and stories of local talent. Through Hiraya, the hotel hopes to provide a platform for these artists to share their work with a wider audience and allow their guests to experience the beauty of Filipino art within our hospitality space.

 

Mr. Reniel Padua (Assistant Director of Fili Artists)

They are widely known for bringing local art out of conventional galleries and into luxury spaces. They have held notable back-to-back exhibits across prominent hotels such as Swissôtel Clark, Marriott Clark, Hilton Clark, Sheraton Manila Bay, and Diamond Hotel.

 

A Moment of Peace (Carla Rimmington)

Through their featured works, the artists and organizers invite viewers to appreciate ordinary moments, embrace new experiences, and discover the extraordinary stories behind every individual's journey. Beyond celebrating artistic expression, the exhibit also serves a greater purpose giving back to the youth.

 

Beyond the Abyss (Heidi Rodis)

In her welcome address, Ms. Mayann Malapote shared “At Belmont, hospitality is about more than providing a place to stay. It is also about creating experiences, and bringing people together, and giving our guests meaningful ways to connect with the community around us. ‘Hiraya’ reflects us, making room for creative passion and expression using our hotel lobby. With Colors to Life, we are pleased to showcase 18 paintings by seven Fili artists. Each brings a way of seeing and interpreting the world," She added "Together, these works remind us that beauty can be found in the familiar. That a different perspective can move us and that creativity has the power to start conversations."

Joyful Dance of Two Betta Fish (Ruel Concepcion)

 

Mr. Reniel Padua, Assistant Director of Fili Artists and husband of featured artist Kristine Joy Padua, said "We stand before you as people who would like to pay it forward, who want to give back to the youth. So these artworks really will fulfill the dream of these youth, to really further their education and to really make them well-rounded individuals as a whole." He added, “The Fili Artists, the artists who painted these, were actually once beneficiaries of the summer education program themselves. I, myself, is also a beneficiary of that summer education program. And we here, we stand before you as people who would like to pay it forward, who want to give back to the youth.”  Fili Artists announced that all proceeds from the sale of the artworks will go toward its two-week summer education program and other youth initiatives.

 

Swan Lake (Louie Maipid)

For sale inquiries, contact ms. Ruth Alexis Cruz at mobile number (0939) 290-7820 or email cruzruthalexis@gmail.com, and Mr. Virgilio Antonio at mobile number (0917) 529-9555 and (0925) 589-9555 or email manilagoldencity@gmail.com. Facebook: FILI ARTISTS.  Instagram @FILIARTISTS.

 

Incredible Potential (Kristine Joy Padua)

Cafe Belmont: Belmont Hotel Manila, Newport Blvd, Newport City, Pasay City. Mobile number: +63 2 5318 8888 E-mail: info@belmontmanila.com.