Man for all seasons Emmanuel “Manny” Garibay earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology at U.P. Los Banos, his Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts at U.P. Diliman, and his Master’s Degree in Divinity at the Union Theological Seminary in Cavite.



During the mid-80’s, he was an activist and was involved with a group called Artista Ng Bayan (People’s Artists), whose vision and influence were clearly manifested in his art. Many of Garibay’s paintings center on everyday people and places, showing ordinary, “normal” people but depicting them as a kind of political entity. While focusing on seemingly traditional subjects and certain religious themes that are discernible in Philippine society and culture, he depicts these with a certain irony and a sardonic but humane regard.



Garibay describes his approach as “social realism”. He considers himself a highly sensitive individual and keen observer of society, studying everything around him and using his works as social commentary in the belief that art can be an effective medium for awakening consciousness. He has developed a distinctive style characterized by bold images, figurative distortions, vibrant colors and rich surface textures.



Garibay has had numerous exhibitions here and abroad, and is the recipient of several prestigious awards, notably the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) Thirteen Artists Award in 2000, and Second Place in the Painting Category at the Bienal del Bellas Artes in Madrid, Spain.



Emmanuel Garibay’s latest works will be featured in a solo exhibition entitled “Recent Works” at the Total Gallery of the Alliance Francaise de Manille. The exhibit runs from July 21 until August 7, 2009. Alliance Française de Manille is located at 209 Nicanor Garcia Street (formerly Bel-Air 2), Makati City. Gallery days and hours: Monday to Thursday at 9am to 6pm; Friday & Saturday at 9am to 5pm; and closed on Sundays and Holidays.