Deco Filipino: How Art Deco Found Its
Voice in the Philippines
About the Program:
This summer, travel to Manila to see a spectacular, one-of-a-kind exhibit without leaving home! Join us for a virtual tour of "Art Deco: Design and Modernity in the Philippines, 1925–1950", led by its curator, Ivan Man Dy. On view through October 2026 at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila, the exhibition opened in November 2025 to mark the Art Deco Centennial and brings together more than 300 objects drawn from private and public collections across the archipelago — tracing how a global design movement found a distinctly Filipino voice.
During the first half of the 20th century, the Philippines was an American colony, and Art Deco took hold in Manila and spread to regional cities like Malolos, Bacolod, and Iloilo. What emerged was something distinct: Deco Filipino, a version of the style shaped by tropical climate, local craft traditions, and a colonial history that made the aesthetic both aspirational and deeply personal.
The Filipino architects––many of whom attended Western universities–-- embraced the Art Deco style and introduced it to the Philippine capital, where it flourished and thrived.
In this richly illustrated online presentation, curator Ivan Man Dy takes us behind the exhibition, sharing the stories of how pieces in the collection were found, the decade of research that brought them together, and what they reveal about Art Deco's evolution across cultures.
This online event will include a richly illustrated PowerPoint—with wonderful images that you will be able to see on your computer screen, tablet, or mobile device.
Can't join us at the time of the live Zoom event ? No problem! Those who register will receive a recording of the entire program a few days after the live presentation so you can watch at a time more convenient for you.
About the Speakers:
Born and raised in Manila, Ivan Man Dy is the foremost Art Deco expert in the Philippines. Since 2015, he has devoted a decade to researching, documenting, and promoting Filipino Art Deco through social media, fellowships, and public events. He is the author of "Deco Filipino: Art Deco in the Philippines 1925–1950" (2020) and served as guest curator for "Art Deco: Design and Modernity in the Philippines 1925–1950" (2025) at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila — the culmination of ten years of scholarship by a self-described accidental Art Deco enthusiast.
Registration:
How to Register for ADSNY's Web-based programs:
- Click the gold Register button located to the left of the "About the Program" section
- Enter the requested information in the registration form and follow the instructions to pay online and complete your registration
- In a few moments, your registration confirmation containing your link and unique password to watch the video event will be sent to the email address you used to register. If you do not see this email in your inbox, please check your spam folder
If you need further assistance registering for this event, or are experiencing a different issue, please email Events@ArtDeco.org, let us know which events you would like to register for, and we will send you an invoice that can be easily completed without going through the ArtDeco.org website.
All ticket sales are final. Sorry, there are no refunds or exchanges.
