Events

Why You Should Check Out 33 Auction’s 2017 Singapore Autumn Auction on Modern and Contemporary Art

With a practiced eye for fine art investment, 33 Auction’s goal is to play an even bigger role within Asia.

Tay Bak Koi, Buffaloes, 1971, oil on canvas Estimate: SGD 20,000 – 30,000

Registered fine art auction house, 33 Auction, will hold its 2017 Singapore Autumn Auction on Modern and Contemporary Art. As part of the owner’s vision of an integrated visual arts business to support the development of visual arts in Asia, the auction house holds an average of 3 auctions annually. Specializing in Modern and Contemporary Asian Art, 33 Auction works closely with many important art institutions, artists, prominent collectors as well as curators.

The auction will commence on October 15th at 3.30 pm at the Grand Hyatt Singapore. The public preview is to be held at MoCA@Loewen from October 13th to 14th (10 am – 8 pm), and October 15th (10 am – 1 pm). On offer is a well-curated selection of 114 lots with an estimated value of SGD 1.5 million. The presentation includes outstanding works by Singaporean and Indonesian old masters, as well as an exciting inclusion of works by pioneer and young artists from the Philippines and other regional countries.

Anthony Poon, Green Compo Waves, C.late 70s, acrylic on canvas Estimate: SGD24,000 – 36,000

One of the highlights of the auction are three paintings from Anthony Poon’s acclaimed Wave series. A most-renowned sculpture artist, his works can be found in various important private and public institutions, like St. Regis Hotel and Nanyang Technological University.

The various retrospective shows held by the National Art Gallery in 2009, as well as by Sundaram Tagore Gallery last year on the 10th anniversary of his death, is a sign that public interest in his paintings has not waned. Within his oeuvre, the Wave series is of historic importance, as it constitutes his early experimentations with Geometric Abstraction. Using a variance of tones, Poon created a sense of movement and a rippling effect on the passive canvas. The three-dimensional quality of his paintings paved the way for his successful venture into sculptures in the 90s.

Part of the auction is devoted to works by Singapore’s venerable ink artists, like Fan Chang Tien, Chen Wen Hsi, and Chua Ek Kay, whose works are perennial favorites of collectors. Aside from prominent figures who have shaped the early Singapore art scene, included in the auction is a work by Dr. Lai Kui Fang, who has done Singapore proud by distinguishing himself in French painting traditions, subsequently merging them with local subject matter to produce a unique artistic language.

Hendra Gunawan, Penjual Buah-Buahan, undated, oil on canvas Estimate: SGD 120,000 – 150,000

Works by other distinguished Southeast Asian artists such as Hendra Gunawan, Srihadi Soedarsono, and Popo Iskandar will also be featured in the auction. Evoking mystical, spiritual scenes of the Indonesian culture and landscape, these artists represent another facet of the Southeast Asian sensibility, in their evocative portrayal of daily scenes of common life in their country. An inaugural selection of works by Philippine artists will also be presented in this auction. The colonial Spanish heritage has placed the Philippines on a unique artistic trajectory from other Southeast Asian countries, spurring daring contemporary iconoclastic works that speak to a new breed of collectors.

33 Auction strives to bring in the finest works around the world to be offered under the hammer. With a practiced eye for fine art investment, 33 Auction’s goal is to play an even bigger role within Asia.

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Events

Can Art Spark Awakening? Inside Oj Hofer’s Tribute to His Zen Master

by Emmanuel Hamoy

On April 4, 2025, the much-anticipated exhibit One Flower, One World: Brushstrokes of Compassion and Wisdom opened at SM JMall, blending contemporary Buddhist art with interactive experiences. The event brought together art students, enthusiasts, collectors, social luminaries, community leaders, international Buddhist practitioners, and Dharma masters to celebrate Oj Hofer’s tribute to Venerable Master Hsing Yun through calligraphy, Zen ink painting, and Ikebana.

Erwin Choa (Adviser for Buddha’s Light International, Philippines), Marisa Fernan (Vice President of SM Prime Holdings Inc), Venerable Yung Guang (Head Abess of Fó Guāng Shān, Philippines), Marguerite Lhuillier (Social Luminary and Animal Rights Advocate), Sheila Go ( Adviser for Buddha’s Light International, Cebu)

Margie Lhuillier, artist Oj Hofer and Mariquita Yeung

Oj’s live calligraphy demonstrations captivated guests, offering them a unique chance to witness his creative process and receive personalised calligraphy pieces. The afternoon culminated in an exclusive cocktail reception featuring delicious vegetarian delicacies prepared by Nonki Japanese Restaurant.

Joy Uy, Francis Dravigny, Venerable Yung Guang, Marissa Fernan, Margette Sarmiento

Among the distinguished guests were Oj’s muse, society maven Marguerite Lhuillier, SM Holdings’ Marissa Fernan, Buddhist advisers Sheila Go and Erwin Choa, and, most importantly, Fo Guang Shan Philippines’ Head Abbess, Venerable Yung Guang, who shared reflections on Master Hsing Yun’s teachings and the role of art in spiritual practice.

Artist Oj Hofer and Paeng Batuigas (Senior Assistant Vice President, Visayas Marketing, SM Supermalls)

The exhibit was a resounding success, showcasing how art can foster reflection, connection, and understanding in a diverse, multicultural society. The event was made possible with the support of SM JMall, Buddha’s Light International Association, and Fo Guang Shan Philippines.

Events

Villa Mariquita: An Evening of Elegance, Laughter, and Fine Champagne

by Emmanuel Hamoy

Villa Mariquita opened its doors to a very select few. On cue, a server hands you a glass of Pol Roger as Mrs. Yeung warmly greets you, effortlessly chic in a perfect pair of Chanel jeans and a pullover. Conversations over food, between sips of wine and champagne, range from the mundane to the profound—each exchange punctuated with laughter, and then even more laughter.

Margie Lhuillier, Frances Siao, this writer and Mariquita Yeung

Mariquita Yeung sharing experiences with guests on art collection

Oj Hofer, Freemont Base, Eva Gullas, Frances Siao, Jun Escario, Margie Lhuillier, Cary Santiago, the host Mariquita Yeung, Phillip Rodriguez, this writer, Christine Pelaez, Tamsin Booth and Pearl Atienza

Events

A Feast for the Senses

Crimson Chefs - Masahiro Kinoshita, Naoki Eguchi, Daniel Johnston, Javier Garcia, Allan Barios, Andrew Simpson

By Joanna Cuenco

June 8 – Mactan, Cebu | For one of its biggest dining events of the year as part of the highly anticipated Cebu Food and Wine Festival, Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan curated an epicurean journey that brought guests on gastronomic flights of fancy, fine cuisine. A Feast for the Senses showcased the creativity and excellence of the resort’s culinary team through a dine-around event at its four dining destinations that invited guests to sample the best that each restaurant had to offer: international cuisine at Saffron, Spanish at Enye by Chele Gonzalez, Japanese at Aka by Naoki Eguchi, and desserts and more drinks at Azure Beach Club.

Maria Paz Perdices, Ambra Anzani, Ema Onda,Kate Anzani, Kumiko Onda, Daisy Barns

Tamsin Booth, Didier Belmonte, Frances Siao, Celeste Miranda, Bert Miranda, Bob Booth

Spirits were high and beverages flowed freely the whole evening, thanks to Philippine Wine Merchant, A Wine Company, The Wine Club, Don Revy, Sommelier Selection, Engkanto Brewery, M. Lhuillier Food Product Inc., Future Trade International, Happy Living Philippines, Equilibrium Intertrade Corporation, and Bauhinia Brewery.

Allan Barios at Saffron dessert station

Ulysse Jouanneaud

Margarette Lhuiller and Perl Jacalan

For the after-party and entertainment at Azure Beach Club, renowned mixologist Ulysse Jouanneaud took over the bar, crafting cocktails with Bacardi, Don Papa, Cointreau, and Sula Brands. Chef Allan Barrios presented a dessert spread that included key lime pralines, vanilla bourbon truffles, honey coconut cryos, and tiny flower-potted bamboo shoots that turned out to be made of pistachio. These little works of art were planted alongside vibrant green foliage, smooth stones, and a faux fog effect that created a tropical rainforest diorama out of the dessert table.

Lechon belly station at Saffron

Dessert display at Azure Beach Club

Yellowfin tuna tataki

Grilled mackerel with laksa boullabaise

The night sky and the distant lights of neighboring islands were the perfect backdrop for a high-energy LED dance performance and fantastic fireworks display that left guests in awe and applause.

Rose Hudson

Chele Gonzalez

Brava potato with chorizo at Enye

LED and Tron Dance

Aka Private Room

The Cebu Food and Wine Festival is supported by the Department of Tourism – Philippines, Visit Central Visayas, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cebu Business Month, and Cebu Pacific Air.