David Kaufman and Kim Jasper Marcelino opened their two-man exhibition at Nine Two Eight Art Gallery, presenting a focused dialogue between two distinct yet complementary artistic practices. Entitled "RAW / LOUD," the show highlights the intersection of their unique styles.
Kaufman’s works draw inspiration from various masters, reinterpreting well-known subjects through a layered approach and restrained intensity. His pieces invite close looking, revealing subtle shifts in form, texture, and memory.
In contrast, Marcelino’s sculptures feature softened, childlike figures marked by subtle tension and contemporary references. Elements such as the paper-bag head suggest themes of identity, anonymity, and quiet vulnerability, grounding the work in everyday experience while inviting reflection on how we choose to be seen.
The opening brought together collectors, artists, and members of the cultural community, sparking conversations around influence, identity, and lived experience. The exhibition underscores the power of artistic exchange and the gallery’s commitment to thoughtful contemporary work.
The exhibition is now open to the public for a limited time.
***
On Jan. 26, Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya hosted a reception at his residence to congratulate Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri on his conferment of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun. The honor was part of the 2025 Autumn Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals.
Zubiri served as Senate president from 2022 to 2024. In this capacity, he fostered numerous exchanges among legislators, strengthening diplomatic relations and inter-parliamentary ties. He also made significant contributions to Japan-Philippines economic relations through his support for the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement and his efforts to improve the investment environment. As bilateral cooperation expanded into the security domain, he worked toward the early approval of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA).
In recognition of these achievements, the Imperial Conferment of Decoration ceremony was held at the Imperial Palace. The order was conferred upon Zubiri by His Majesty the Emperor, and a certificate of order was conveyed by Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae.
The award has been granted to only three other former Senate presidents: the late Edgardo Angara, Franklin Drilon, and Manny Villar. It has also been awarded to a select few former Cabinet officials, including former secretaries Sonny Dominguez, Cesar Virata, and Alberto Romulo.
