Arts & Culture

Mother Folker Cattski Espina Recommends the Top Musical Acts That Should Be on Your Playlists

As the Mother Folker behind 22 Tango Records and Room 11, Cattski Espina has been in the local music scene for years. Here are five local musical acts that she feels you should check out.

photography KYLA ESTOYA
hair and makeup KIAN VALENCIA

This story is taken from our archives. Originally published in Zee Digital Vol. 1

DT

Describe your music.
My music is pop with a touch of folk. How did you get into the music industry? It started with a showcase in democrazy—I forgot what year that was. I think that’s how 22 Tango got to hear my songs.

Who are your musical influences?
It’s a mix of different genres. First, I am heavily influenced by Amy Winehouse, Ashley Lilinoe. With all of the artists that influence me, I think it helps the versatility of the songs that I create, allowing me to make more stories to share with other people.

Most memorable song you’ve written?
During my first Cuppa Folk, I performed Woman for the very first time on stage. That song is very close to my heart, since it is a tribute to all the women who have helped me in my life and raised me up. It is sort of a thank you song for them, and I think out of all the songs that I have written, this is the most powerful to me. It talks about my life, and the foundations of my morals and personality.

Plans for 2018?
This year, I’m planning to write more songs. With all of the experiences last year gave me, I have so many stories to write this year. I want to put melody onto that, and share it to all the people who can relate to my stories.

Carlisle and Mary Anchit

CARLISLE

Describe your music.
I produce music in a lot of genres. My favorite genres are pop, hiphop, RnB, afro beats, and all that stuff.

How did you get into the music industry?
I’ve actually been playing the guitar since high school, but the first song that was recognized in the industry was Light Me Up. It was released in December 2016, but sort of got popular in January 2017 when Y101 played it. It was the first song I produced that was on the radio.

Who are your musical influences?
Linkin Park, the first band I fell in love with.

Most memorable song you’ve produced?
It would probably be Light Me Up, because that song launched my career and my sister’s career. Because of that
song, we got to places we’ve never been to, met a lot of great people, and worked with a lot of artists.

Plans for 2018?
I have a lot of songs lined up, both for myself and clients, but the one I am looking forward to is with a Nigerian artist. It is totally different from my old stuff. It’s something new, but feels really familiar.

MARY ANCHIT

Describe your music.
My music is folk and anti-folk. Basically, folk music and melodies tells stories. Antifolk also tells stories, but the melodies are kind of raw and experimental.

How did you get into the music industry?
I played at a songwriters night back in 2010, and Cattski found me.

Who are your musical influences?
Regina Spektor and Sara Bareilles

Most memorable song you’ve written?
I think my most memorable is Hero. Whenever I perform the song, I’ve heard people saying that they’re touched by it, and that it got them through something.

Plans for 2018?
I will be releasing a new album soon.

THINKING CHAIR

Describe your music.
Indie music. Soul. Revolutionary. Raw.

How did you get into the music industry?
We first started in church, and when we kind of took a break from that scene, we started a band. This lineup is actually new—we wanted to revive the original Thinking Chair, but some of them are already in Canada.

Who are your musical influences?
A lot. 1975, Coldplay, Private Island.

Most memorable song you’ve written?
Mirage, because every time we sing it, it’s different. We have so many renditions, and it’s fun to play.

Plans for 2018?
We plan to release an EP, add some new songs to our lineup. Hopefully also do a tour.

JRUSS

Describe your music.
My music is a storytelling kind of pop, or folk pop. I tried to avoid the orthodox
type of songs.

How did you get into the music industry?
I actually didn’t think I could go into the music industry. I only played piano before, but then because of college, I wanted to get more into that. Ever since then, I started singing a lot, and after a few years, I started with 22 Tango’s democrazy.

Who are your musical influences?
The first would be Florence and the Machine, and Of Monsters and Men, which is very indie rock and folk rock. I also like Ben Howard and Bastille.

Most memorable song you’ve written?
January of 2015, I wrote the song Happy New Me. I wrote it online for a national songwriting content on Facebook. There was actually no prize—just bragging rights. It’s about someone thinking they were able to move on from a relationship, but actually in the end, it’s just a desperate attempt to say that you moved on. A month later, I was tagged on Facebook that I won. I won a competition with no prize.

Plans for 2018?
Hopefully I can start recording and get an album released. Aside from that, get some real life experience and start writing more songs.

Related Topics:22Tango Records Carlisle DT JRuss Mary Anchit Thinking Chair

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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.