UP Manila Museum Unveils Rare Works and Legacy of Alumni and National Artists Fernando Amorsolo and Vicente Manansala

August 26, 2026

Text and photos by: Elaissa Bautista/Museum of a History of Ideas

A first look at the unveiling of Vicente Manansala’s study painting for The Arts of Sciences (1959), a watercolor on paper, a study for his monumental painting at Palma Hall, UP Diliman—the largest painting in the University of the Philippines system.

In celebration of National History Month, the University of the Philippines Manila – Museum of a History of Ideas (UPM-MHI) opened the week-long exhibition “Pamana at Sining ng Pamantasan: Ang UP sa Gunita nina Amorsolo at Manansala,” in honor of two of the country’s most celebrated National Artists for Visual Arts and distinguished alumni of the UP School of Fine Arts, Fernando Amorsolo and Vicente Manansala.

The exhibition, which runs from Aug. 25-28, 2026, highlights the unveiling of the study painting for Manansala’s Arts and Sciences, which has now become a permanent collection at one of MHI’s galleries. Also featured are rare illustrations by Amorsolo from the 1932 publication “The Philippine Readers Series” by Camilo Osias, illustrating the vital role of visual art in Philippine education during the American colonial period.

“The illustrations of Amorsolo presented in the exhibit, along with Vicente Manansala’s Arts and Sciences, draw on the experience of the two artists at the University of the Philippines. They serve as visual narratives, capturing the vibrant and dynamic atmosphere of academic life in Manila during a time of national transformation. Amorsolo’s illustrations are defined by his distinct artistic technique, which captures shifting historical and ethnographic tones. Manansala’s mastery of light, color, and form depicts the interconnectedness of artistic and scientific pursuits in the university, suggesting that innovation flourishes where disciplines intersect,” Curator and Museum Director Honey Libertine Achanzar-Labor said.

*Special Assistant to the Chancellor and Museum Director of UP Manila Museum of a History of Ideas welcomes distinguished guests and artists at the opening program of the exhibit.*

Complementing these historical collections is a contemporary exhibition featuring works by Manansala’s granddaughter, Manila-based artist Rosanna Manansala, as well as selected artists from Art Forward Manila, demonstrating the enduring influence of Vicente Manansala’s artistic legacy on contemporary Philippine art.

“I remember his philosophy very clearly: ‘You have to create every day. You shouldn’t follow the mood. Whether you’re in the mood or not, you have to paint because that’s the discipline. You don’t wait for the mood to come,’” Rosanna Manansala shared.

(from left) Bea Pimentel, Art Forward Manila founder; Dr. Honey Libertine-Achanzar Labor UPM-MHI exhibit curator and special assistant to the chancellor; Ronna Manansala, guest artist and granddaughter of Vicente Manansala; Lala Tuazon, Art Forward Manila co-founder; and Dean Don Amorsolo (grandson of Fernando Amorsolo lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the permanent exhibit.

“He demonstrated this in his own life. We saw him practice every day. His dedication to his work was not about waiting for inspiration or motivation. He believed that you have to keep working, keep thinking, and keep creating. That lesson stayed with me,” she added.

The exhibition coincides with Manansala’s death anniversary and forms part of UP Manila’s observance of National History Month, celebrating the enduring relationship between art, education, and national identity.

Also featured in the exhibit are artworks from Art Forward Manila, a collective that promotes contemporary Filipino artists through exhibitions, educational programs, and collaborations with museums and cultural institutions. The organization supports emerging and established artists while fostering public appreciation of Philippine visual arts.

Artists from Art Forward Manila, Dr. Honey Libertine Achanzar-Labor, UPM-MHI Museum director and curator of the exhibit, Art Forward founders Bea Pimentel and Lala Tuazon; and guest artist Ronna Manansala celebrate the success of the temporary exhibit.

UPM-MHI preserves and interprets the intellectual, cultural, and heritage of the University of the Philippines Manila. Through exhibitions, collections, educational programs, and public engagement, the museum promotes historical appreciation and lifelong learning while documenting the university’s contribution to Philippine society.