MAKATI CITY — The Yuchengco Museum is presenting a significant retrospective of one of the Philippines’ most committed social realists, the late Neil Doloricon (1957–2021). Titled “GUNITA,” the exhibition brings together prints, paintings, and collages drawn from the collection of Saul Hofileña Jr. It invites visitors to confront the question that defined Doloricon’s four-decade practice: how do we remember our past, and what does it ask of us in the present? The showcase serves as a powerful reminder of art's capacity to document history and inspire collective action.
A Life Dedicated to the People’s Struggle
Doloricon, who was born in Surigao del Sur in 1957, came of age under the Marcos dictatorship, an experience that shaped his lifelong commitment to social justice. He was a founding member of the Kaisahan group in 1975, a collective of young artists who sought to build a humane and just society through art. His work spanned paintings, murals, relief prints, and editorial cartoons, all united by a focus on farmers, workers, and the urban poor. He also served as dean of the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts and chaired the Concerned Artists of the Philippines until his death in 2021.
Memory as Resistance and Responsibility
The exhibition’s title, “GUNITA,” translates to memory or remembrance, anchoring the display in themes of historical reflection. For Doloricon, memory was never a passive act of looking back; it was a tool for understanding the present and imagining a different future. His works, such as the iconic “Welga” (1981), depict jeepney drivers protesting the Marcos regime, transforming historical moments into enduring symbols of resistance. By placing these works in a contemporary museum context, the exhibition asks viewers to consider which struggles have persisted and what solidarity demands today.
A Legacy That Continues to Speak
"GUNITA" is more than a tribute to a departed artist; it is an invitation to engage with the unfinished aspirations of the nation. The exhibition runs through January 2027 at the museum's 3F Bridgeway Gallery, offering ample time for the public to experience Doloricon's powerful visual narratives. (Note: While the museum is closed today, Oct. 28, for a private function, regular public viewing hours resume this Thursday.) Through these works, visitors are reminded that memory is not merely about what has passed, but about what we choose to carry forward to shape a better society.
