Arts & Culture

Cebuano Designer PJ Ong’s Collaboration with Uniqlo

His chosen creative name may illicit a chuckle here and there, but PJ Ong’s passion for art and graphic design is no
laughing matter. With Inodoro, he’s introduced his own brand of aesthetics, something that landed him a Uniqlo collaboration.

By Kyla Estoya
Photography NATH YBAÑEZ
Grooming CHADY PANTALEON
Locale CRIMSON MACTAN RESORT AND SPA
This story is taken from our archives. Originally published in Zee Digital Vol. 1

“I’m probably the friendliest graphic designer you’ll know,” PJ Ong says as we were wrapping up after the shoot at the villa of Crimson Mactan Resort and Spa. I had asked him what it was that he felt made him stand out from other artists, and he’d replied his character.

Definitely easygoing, PJ is the man behind Indoro, his creative signature that had received widespread recognition
for being the Filipino artist featured in a Uniqlo collection. “It was a great pleasure collaborating with Uniqlo for their Feel the SEA campaign,” he said smiling. “I’m still overwhelmed with the positivity that a team of highly esteemed curators chose me to represent the Philippines.”

PJ Ong grew up exposed to art, having always been interested in the subject for as far as he can remember.
His father was a businessman, but spent his free time dabbling in painting and photography. “They are the reason
I was led to this industry,” he shares about his family. “Aside from their highly supportive nature, there was always
a thirst for creativity and adventure in the household. we love to travel and to explore new things in general. My parents have always been advocates of keeping an open mind and nurturing curiosity.” And those factors have all contributed to who he is a person and as an artist.

Like many artists, it takes time, effort and probably a pinch of drama to finally find your place in the scene. During the journey, he came to the conclusion that he had always been drawn to the so-called underground art industry. Laughing, he randomly mentions that he dropped out from college, where he was studying Information Technology. “It wasn’t for me, so I took a ten-month certification in the International Academy of Design and Technology in Toronto,” PJ shares, continuing that he had went on to finish the course at the top of the class. Not bad for a college dropout. “I will always be proud of that.”

The rest is history, and Inodoro was born.

It’s not unusual for someone to ask why PJ had chosen Inodoro as his brand name, considering it is the local word for a toilet. ì”I wanted a name that had Filipino-Spanish roots, with hints of controversy and humor. Embracing the punk ethos, my moniker naturally has a streak of rebellion and non-conformism. In short, a Fuck You attitude. Plus, it’s hard to forget.”

Inodoro is entirely abstract and experimental design. PJ stressed that each project is a unique endeavor, but
he always tries to stay true to his design DNA. His work emphasize his principles, which are rooted in being forward-thinking, thorough-driven and dynamic.

This is probably one of the reasons why Uniqlo chose his work for the collection. ìI was prompted by a business contact to send over a portfolio link, and after a few days, a representative from the Uniqlo HQ in Japan got in touch with me,” he recalls. “I was overwhelmed to find out that they had strong preference for my work, which they expressed during the initial communication.”

According to him, the main directive was to create designs in three colors. They were given creative freedom in
terms of execution. “I was inspired by the Japanese’s constant pursuit of the avant-garde, the experimental and the
unknown, while keeping the overall look minimal, clean and polished. At the same time, projecting a positive message
since that was one of Uniqlo’s core values as a brand.”

The most significant thing that interests me about PJ’s view in the art industry is that he values his integrity and
brand, much more than being popular or mainstream. he thinks it would be silly of him to change his style just to gain an audience. “To me, the name wouldn’t even matter. As long as you’re able to produce brilliant work for some people, then that’s enough already,î he says. That goes to show how authentic he treats his art, and that his passion for graphic design is no joke. ìClients come to me because they already know my style. I won’t force someone to like my style—if they do, then that’s good!”

Related Topics:artist Graphic Design Inodoro PJ Ong

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Arts & Culture

Art Beat: Scenes From the Manila Art Fair 2026

photography by Doro Barandino

“Art is unpredictable and goes in different directions. I have no idea. I would rather live the present moment.” —Bencab, National artist of the Philippines.

Vinta by Protegeri, collaboration art piece by Leeroy New, Solenn Heuseff and Vito Selma

Q&A with interior decorator and jewellery designer Doro Barandino

Which of the participating art galleries had the most unified and exciting theme?
Leon Gallery had the most amazingly put-together collection. Though the gallery engaged various artists, the overall visual effect felt like one unified theme. Leon Gallery used a sack-like cloth (most likely raw linen) as the background for the booth, and it brought the collection together. It had an old-world feel in a chaotic setting.

Who were the artists that were the most visually engaging?
The works of Carlo Tanseco were definitely my favorite. The artist used an eye chart (Snellen chart) as the background for the image of Dr. Jose Rizal giving us the middle finger—such an “in your face” message. The concept of our national hero as a modern-day provocateur was a wake-up call to everyone. Very subversive and underground material. I was also attracted to the works of Japanese artist Tadashi Kogure; they’re very architectural.

Was the choice of venue and its layout helpful in engaging the whole art vibe?
What I noticed was that the masters like Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo, and Fernando Zóbel still attracted the most viewers at the art fair. People are naturally drawn to their masterful strokes and historical significance, or perhaps these artworks are not readily accessible for public viewing. Or maybe those booths that carried the masters’ works were strategically positioned right after the registrar.

The choice of venue at Center One was a good move—it created a total art vibe. Manila Art Fair remains the premier art fair in the country today, showcasing the finest modern and contemporary art while offering curated projects and immersive installations.

The Standard by Thai artist Pitchapa at the Triangular durational, performance art.

Bato Bato sa Langit by Filipino artist Carlo Tanseco

Stocking Proportions Menumpuk Proporsi by Indonesian artist Labadiou Piko

Untitled by Indonesian artist Yunizar

Filipiny, wool tapestry by national artist of the Philippines,Federico Aguilar Alcuaz.

Untitled by German artist Valentin Elias Renner

Interior decorator and jewellery designer Doro Barandino is also a regular contributor for zee.ph

Arts & Culture

Visayas Art Fair Year 5: Infinite Perspectives, Unbound Creativity

by Jing Ramos

This year’s Visayas Art Fair marks its 5th anniversary, celebrating the theme “Infinite Perspectives: Unbound Creativity.” The fair continues its mission of bridging creativity, culture, and community in the country. This milestone edition strengthens its partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and expands collaborations with regional art organizations and collectives—reinforcing its role as a unifying platform for Philippine art.

VAF5 features the works of Gil Francis Maningo, honoring the mastery of his gold leaf technique on opulent portraits of the Visayan muse Carmela, reflecting spiritual awareness.

Gil Francis Maningo is celebrated for his gold leaf technique.

Gil Francis Maningo’s recurring theme of his Visayan muse “Carmela”.

Another featured artist is Danny Rayos del Sol, whose religious iconography of Marian-inspired portraits offers a profound meditation on the sacred and the sublime. This collaboration between two visual artists sparks a dialogue on the Visayan spirit of creativity and resilience. Titled “Pasinaya,” this dual showcase explores gold leaf as a medium of light and transcendence.

Artist Danny Reyes del Sol

Danny Reyes del Sol’s religious iconography.

Now in its fifth year, the Visayas Art Fair has influenced a community of artists, gallerists, brokers, collectors, museum curators, and art critics—constructing a narrative that shapes how we approach and understand the artist and his work. This combination of factors, destined for popular consumption, illustrates the ways in which art and current culture have found common ground in a milieu enriched by the promise of increased revenue and the growing value of artworks.

Laurie Boquiren, Chairman of the Visayas Art Fair, elaborates on the theme, expressing a vision that celebrates the boundless imagination of unique artistic voices:

“Infinite Perspectives speaks of the countless ways artists see, interpret, and transform the world around them—reminding us that creativity knows no single point of view. Unbound Creativity embodies freedom from convention and controlled expression, allowing every artist to explore and experiment without borders.”

Laurie Boquiren, Chairman of the Visayas Art Fair has tirelessly championed the creative arts for the past five years.

Arts & Culture

Kultura. Kapital. Kasalukuyan: Art that Speaks of Today

by Jose Carlos G. Campos, Board of Trustees National Museum of the Philippines

The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recently teamed up to prove that money isn’t just for counting—it’s also for curating! Their latest joint exhibition, Kultura. Kapital. Kasalukuyan: Contemporary Art from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Collection, is now open, and it’s a real treat for art lovers and culture buffs alike.

On display are gems from the BSP’s contemporary art collection, including masterpieces by National Artist Benedicto Cabrera (Bencab), along with works by Onib Olmedo, Brenda Fajardo, Antipas Delotavo, Edgar Talusan Fernandez, and many more. Some of the artists even showed up in person—Charlie Co, Junyee, Imelda Cajipe-Endaya, Demi Padua, Joey Cobcobo, Leonard Aguinaldo, Gerardo Tan, Melvin Culaba—while others sent their family representatives, like Mayumi Habulan and Jeudi Garibay. Talk about art running in the family!

Deputy Governor General of the BSP, Berna Romulo Puyat

Chairman of NMP, Andoni Aboitiz

The BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. and members of the Monetary Board joined the event, alongside former BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr., Ms. Tess Espenilla (wife of the late Nestor A. Espenilla, Jr.), and the ever-graceful former Central Bank Governor Jaime C. Laya, who gave a short but enlightening talk about the BSP art collection.

From the NMP, Chairman Andoni Aboitiz, Director-General Jeremy Barns, and fellow trustees NCCA Chairman Victorino Mapa Manalo, Carlo Ebeo, and Jose Carlos Garcia-Campos also graced the occasion. Chairman Aboitiz expressed gratitude to the BSP for renewing its partnership, calling the exhibition a shining example of how financial institutions can also enrich our cultural wealth.

Former Governor of BSP Jaime Laya

Governor of BSP Eli M. Remona and Chairman of NMP Board Andoni Aboitiz

Artist Charlie Co

Before the official launch, a special media preview was held on 5 August, hosted by BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and DG Jeremy Barns. It gave lucky guests a sneak peek at the collection—because sometimes, even art likes to play “hard to get.”

The exhibition Kultura. Kapital. Kasalukuyan will run until November 2027 at Galleries XVIII and XIX, 3/F, National Museum of Fine Arts. Doors are open daily, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. So if you’re looking for something enriching that won’t hurt your wallet (admission is free!), this is your sign to visit. After all, the best kind of interest is cultural interest.