Emergence: How Two Dumaguete Artists Carved a Path for Local Art

 

Under the direction of President Girlie Sindiong-Bernardez and Professor Penn T. Larena, the Dumaguete Festival and Arts Society (DUFAS) organized a memorable art show at Café Mamia last  September 22, 2026, because they believe that young, up-and-coming artists should be supported and given a chance to carve out a name for themselves in the local art scene..Held in celebration of World Tourism Week in Dumaguete City, the showcase presented the compelling works of Jude Millares and Rey Labarento. The exhibition carried the captivating theme, Emergence: The Journey of Two Young Artists, Then & Now. It displayed artworks that proved unique, unconventional, and deeply thought-provoking to all who attended.

The Two artists with members of  Dumaguete Festival and Arts Society (DUFAS)

The event served as a testament to the idea that emergence was not merely an arrival, but an ongoing becoming. Millares and Labarento, who were friends, batchmates, and active practicing artists since their Fine Arts student days, began their journey in the exact same classroom studios back in 2012. Learning both the strict discipline of realism and the expressive language of surrealism, they spent over a decade painting, failing, improvising, and staying true to their craft when many others turned away. DUFAS presented them together not just to show where they started, but to demonstrate how they evolved over time. While rooted in the same surrealist impulse, each artist carved a distinct path. Millares moved from combining psychic automatism and abstract impressionism into fluid storytelling, pouring colors before narrative. Meanwhile, Labarento evolved from surrealism into human figurative lines, weaving canvas threads directly into his paintings to create rich, textured materiality.

Art Community in Dumaguete /Negros Hersley Ven Casero, Mikoo Cataylo  Jude Millares , Rey Labarento,Antonio "Babu" A. Wenceslao and Vicente Lopez

Jude Millares,Antonio "Babu" A. Wenceslao and Rey Labarento

The guest speaker for the gathering was Antonio "Babu" A. Wenceslao, a noted visual  artist and former art professor at Foundation University. He delivered an inspiring talk about pursuing one's passion whatever the cost. He emphasized staying continuously motivated and never losing sight of a clear sense of purpose—words that resonated deeply with the artists and everyone else in the room.

The event attracted a distinguished audience from the creative and civic sectors. Noted personalities graced the venue, including Hersley Ven Casero, a multi-awarded artist and photographer whose works featured in international magazines. Craftsman par excellence the  Handsome artist Mike Alano attended alongside his wife, Jana Jumalon-Alano also in the show is Terra cotta artist Mikoo Cataylo, a celebrated multi-awarded artist. Gemz ML Iso, author and finalist  in the Nick Joaquin Awards and the Graphic Salute Awardee she represented the local literary sector. Also attending were art critic and Foundation University guest lecturer Issachar Bacang,Fine arts students from Foundation University, curators from the National Museum-Dumaguete, Shinie Ramos-Estimada, Mugna Art Gallery proprietor Vince Lopez, and staff from the City Tourism Office led by Isabel Marchelle Flordeliz. Media members Neil Rio and Mike Ramo covered the event, while art enthusiasts Mariglor Arnaiz, Tata Justiniani, Nikki Teves and Leslie Claire Pareja-Tirambulo joined DUFAS members and friends in celebration.

Guests also enjoyed the wonderful hospitality provided at the venue. Lizza Vivar-Perdices of Café Mamia outdid herself with a delicious spread of "pika-pika" that kept attendees returning for more, complemented by a refreshing fruit punch that kept conversations lively. 

Congrats to DUFAS Members Jessica D. Lagumas,Jing Arnaez,Elsie Lee, Jenny King,Linda Flores Basmayor and Pchina Teves

Ultimately, the art show turned out to be a resounding success for DUFAS. The organizers expressed their profound hope that the exhibition would inspire Millares and Labarento as they continued their creative journeys, proving that a dedicated life in art was entirely possible in Dumaguete City. The successful exhibition ran through September 30, 2026, standing as vibrant proof that the local art scene was flourishing beyond classic realism.