Arts & Culture

Just Millennial Things: “Memes” On Your Timeline

Since its birth, memes have been a topic for laughs by many. If you didn’t get the meme you’d be callled a “normie” and sometimes if you’re not laughing at a meme or editing one to fit your humor, you’re probably the “meme-able” one. How we communicate has truly evolved through social media, and interpreting memes and actually understanding them and using them as a form of communication reassures that.

If you understand the humor behind certain photos with captions edited into them shared by thousands, well, congratulations! You’re still part of this generation. These posts are dubbed as “memes”, it is referred to as a “catchphrase, concept or an activity” that eventually found its way to being a “piece of media that eventually spreads”. If there’s one thing that’s true about these forms of media, it’s that it’s humorous, to say the least.

Memes are manipulated and edited clips from movies, or photos from paparazzi that mirror everyday situations of the ordinary person. It is a product of creativity that eventually clicks towards the culture and environment one spreads it to.

Said to be coined in the year 1976, Richard Dawkins had shared that these memes on the Internet are a “hijacking of the original idea”, which would prove that the evolution and mutation of these media are the very things that support its existence.

There are so many memes born in a span of a week sourced from famous events, TV shows and of course, in unusual circumstances. Even if there are some that have failed to crack us up or have left the internet world forever, there are some memes that stuck with most netizens and lived on long enough for us to scroll through on our “TLs” (timelines) a couple of times.

Classical Art Memes

Photo: Sherdog Forums

Art appreciation and meme-loving is a mix we can all enjoy. Take for example these classical art memes that truly speak to this generation’s woes and is relatable to our everyday experiences and “feels”.

Even if these art were made ages ago, their meanings (or how we interpret them) still holds true until this day. In this world of screens, it’s still worth our while to go over originals on canvas that are national treasures.

Kim Kardashian Memes

Photo: Gabriel Zamora on Twitter

We all love her for her and her family’s reality TV show Keeping Up With The Kardashians, and also because of her merchandise and cosmetics line. Except for all the attention she’s getting about her behind, there are some clips from the TV show that portray Kim as a “meme-able” gal.

Buff Kim is just one of the memes going around social media that have truly made us think Kim’s more than just this Barbie girl in her fabulous and expensive Barbie world.

“Is This A Pigeon” Meme

Photo: inews.co

This meme was picked out from a scene in a Japanese anime TV series “The Brave Fighter of Sun Fighbird”, and it was about how the protagonist in the series mistakenly identified a butterfly as pigeon. From then on, in most social media sites, it is used to describe sarcastic confusion on things.

When you do not know how to respond to your clueless friend, just go on over an editing app and make yourself a new meme featuring your friend and their dubieties.

Distracted Boyfriend Meme

Photo: Reverend Scott on Twitter

This famous photo started off as a stock photo you could see with just one click away on Google when you’d want a sample photo of different happenings and activities.

The source image, taken by photographer Antonion Guillem, has the description “Disloyal man with his girlfriend looking at another girl” before it even went into the spotlight in the “meme world”. This meme is used when one’s wanting something other than what one already has, hence, the disloyalty in the relationship reference.

Kermit the Frog Memes

What we know as a cartoon character back in the day has now reincarnated itself to fit the new generation. If you’re frequently on Twitter, you’ve probably known how the latest “chika” is now in the form of the word “tea”, which gladly fits this Muppet’s image right here, who’s sipping a cup of Lipton tea and talking about “hypocrisy” and “stupidity” of different people.

Netizens mostly use it to “throw shade” at different people they either hate or would want to start a feud with. Well, Kermit’s got to do all the talking about this “tea”. You need to spill!

Salt Bae Meme

“Salt Bae” is actually Turkish chef Nusret Gökçe, who became viral for his video while fabulously sprinkling salt on the carved steak he was cooking up. He is long known to be prepping his meals in the sassiest ways, often called a “theatrical” preparation of food.

The meme can be used in a number of different ways. It may be taken literally as to sprinkling something on someone like (“K”s to your boyfriend when you’re mad), or it could mean that one’s really being #extra just like chef!

Mocking Spongebob Meme

Photo: PassionX

Also known as “Spongemock”, this particular image was sourced from the episode of the animated comedy series SpongeBob SquarePants called “Little Yellow Book”. In the episode, this meme was born because of Squidward when he happens to go over SpongeBob’s diary, discovers that whenever SpongeBob sees plaid, he acts like a chicken!

This mocking meme is paired with captions with alternating upper and lower case letters comprising a sentence.

Featured Photo Credits: marketingturkiye.com.tr

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.