Collectors, friends, musicians, artists, and long-time supporters gathered to celebrate Hail Holy Eyes, a mid-career survey and the first solo museum show of contemporary Filipino artist Jigger Cruz, curated by Norman Crisologo. The Metropolitan Museum of Manila | The M Museum in its new Bonifacio Global City (BGC) home was transformed into an immersive and all-encompassing experience, an invitation to guests to immerse themselves in the artist’s deeply layered universe, punctuated by rich slatherings of oil paint, his preferred medium, an atmospheric soundscape composed by Cruz himself that echoed the inner dialogues between the worlds of the spiritual and material that shape his mind. The opening reception pulsed with an overwhelming sense of love and community, as people moved through the space in shared admiration for Cruz’s journey and the sheer breadth of his continuously evolving creative expression.
Spread out across the two floors of the museum, Cruz’s large-scale works from 2006 to 2025 adorned the dark-colored walls, transforming the galleries into a vivid, almost otherworldly environment. At the center of the exhibition stood a ritualistic installation: a wooden table layered with oil paint, topped with a candelabrum dripping with melting wax, and surrounded by spent tubes of oil paint collected from Cruz’s studio. This tableau anchored the show, offering a tactile glimpse into the material, process, and spirit behind his practice.
Bambina Olivares, Consultant for Social Media Marketing and Special Projects, and Louie Bate, Member of the Board of Trustees formally welcomed guests to the exhibition. While both artist and curator initially expressed reticence to speak publicly in front of some 300 people, they were prevailed upon by an admiring audience, to say a few words.
“With over 200 works on display, from paintings to sculptures to installations, not to mention his music, his videos, we invite you all to discover Jigger’s chaotic, textured, vibrant, and deeply layered art. At the same time, I use this opportunity to encourage all of you to visit this exhibition again and again before it ends in March 2026, as one visit may not be enough to truly appreciate his talent,” said Louie Bate, Member of the Board of Trustees
“Thank you for coming and joining us for the opening of this exhibition. I hope you enjoy the show. There are so many names to mention of those who participated in the making of the show, but you know who you are… Thank you again, and get crazy!,” added Jigger Cruz, Artist
“Everything came together very organically. It all started 15 years ago, when I first met him (Jigger), and this show began two months ago. I said, “Jigs, let’s do a show together”, and here we are, so thank you again for coming,” explained Norman Crisologo, Curator
Among the crowd of attendees were Congressman Jorge Bocobo, Rico Manuel and Lourdes Reyes of the Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation, Chi Bocobo of Think Big, Taguig, Vice President of the Board of Trustees Doris Ho, Trustees Luis Bate and Paulino Que. There was strong support from collectors and lenders such as Jose Moreno, Erica and Francis Concepcion, Ken Hakuta, JV Cobankiat, and Terry Que, as well as ellow artists such as Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan, Manuel Ocampo, MM Yu, Raffy Napay, Annie Cabigting, JEFRE, Gregory Halili, Bjorn Calleja, Rico Blanco, and Isabel Santos. Making the evening truly a family affair was the presence of Cruz’s and Crisologo’s families, their respective partners Aira Hernandez and Beauty Gonzalez-Crisologo, and young children Matissa and Mahliya Cruz, and Olivia Crisologo.
Complementing the art was a collection of selection of exclusive merchandise produced by Hernandez, inspired by Hail Holy Eyes, including sketchpads, placemats, scarves, playing cards, and more.
Collectors, friends, musicians, artists, and long-time supporters gathered to celebrate Hail Holy Eyes, a mid-career survey and the first solo museum show of contemporary Filipino artist Jigger Cruz, curated by Norman Crisologo. The Metropolitan Museum of Manila | The M Museum in its new Bonifacio Global City (BGC) home was transformed into an immersive and all-encompassing experience, an invitation to guests to immerse themselves in the artist’s deeply layered universe, punctuated by rich slatherings of oil paint, his preferred medium, an atmospheric soundscape composed by Cruz himself that echoed the inner dialogues between the worlds of the spiritual and material that shape his mind. The opening reception pulsed with an overwhelming sense of love and community, as people moved through the space in shared admiration for Cruz’s journey and the sheer breadth of his continuously evolving creative expression.
Spread out across the two floors of the museum, Cruz’s large-scale works from 2006 to 2025 adorned the dark-colored walls, transforming the galleries into a vivid, almost otherworldly environment. At the center of the exhibition stood a ritualistic installation: a wooden table layered with oil paint, topped with a candelabrum dripping with melting wax, and surrounded by spent tubes of oil paint collected from Cruz’s studio. This tableau anchored the show, offering a tactile glimpse into the material, process, and spirit behind his practice.
Bambina Olivares, Consultant for Social Media Marketing and Special Projects, and Louie Bate, Member of the Board of Trustees formally welcomed guests to the exhibition. While both artist and curator initially expressed reticence to speak publicly in front of some 300 people, they were prevailed upon by an admiring audience, to say a few words.
“With over 200 works on display, from paintings to sculptures to installations, not to mention his music, his videos, we invite you all to discover Jigger’s chaotic, textured, vibrant, and deeply layered art. At the same time, I use this opportunity to encourage all of you to visit this exhibition again and again before it ends in March 2026, as one visit may not be enough to truly appreciate his talent,” said Louie Bate, Member of the Board of Trustees
“Thank you for coming and joining us for the opening of this exhibition. I hope you enjoy the show. There are so many names to mention of those who participated in the making of the show, but you know who you are… Thank you again, and get crazy!,” added Jigger Cruz, Artist
“Everything came together very organically. It all started 15 years ago, when I first met him (Jigger), and this show began two months ago. I said, “Jigs, let’s do a show together”, and here we are, so thank you again for coming,” explained Norman Crisologo, Curator
Among the crowd of attendees were Congressman Jorge Bocobo, Rico Manuel and Lourdes Reyes of the Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation, Chi Bocobo of Think Big, Taguig, Vice President of the Board of Trustees Doris Ho, Trustees Luis Bate and Paulino Que. There was strong support from collectors and lenders such as Jose Moreno, Erica and Francis Concepcion, Ken Hakuta, JV Cobankiat, and Terry Que, as well as ellow artists such as Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan, Manuel Ocampo, MM Yu, Raffy Napay, Annie Cabigting, JEFRE, Gregory Halili, Bjorn Calleja, Rico Blanco, and Isabel Santos. Making the evening truly a family affair was the presence of Cruz’s and Crisologo’s families, their respective partners Aira Hernandez and Beauty Gonzalez-Crisologo, and young children Matissa and Mahliya Cruz, and Olivia Crisologo.
Complementing the art was a collection of selection of exclusive merchandise produced by Hernandez, inspired by Hail Holy Eyes, including sketchpads, placemats, scarves, playing cards, and more.
Hail Holy Eyes runs until 01 March 2026
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