Scenes of Home: A First Look at ‘Pagpauli, Iloilo’

Ahead of Iloilo City’s Charter Day on August 25, the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA) turns its gaze toward home with Pagpauli, Iloilo, a solo presentation by Filipino-American visual artist Gisele Muzones.

“Pagpauli,” a Hiligaynon word meaning “returning home” or “going home,” captures the heart of the exhibition as Muzones retraces her connection to her Filipino roots through scenes and memories from her visits to Iloilo. Through landscapes, cultural traditions, and everyday moments, her paintings capture moments that made the province feel both familiar and newly discovered.

Iloilo Through an Artist’s Eyes

Part of Muzones’ Philippines Painting Series, the featured works revisit some of the places and experiences that shaped her time in Iloilo.

Views from Bucari

Inspired by a hike with friends in Bucari, Views from Bucari looks out onto a small village nestled between misty mountains. The landscape recalls days spent exploring the highlands just outside Iloilo City and the quiet beauty Muzones encountered along the way.

I Know a Spot

A visit to Nagpana Falls inspired I Know a Spot, where three boys sit above the waterfall and take in the view. Beyond the scenery, the work captures the life surrounding the falls—from children swimming in its shallow pools to families spending the afternoon together by the water.

The Opening Salvo

Iloilo’s most recognizable celebration takes on a vivid form in The Opening Salvo. Featuring a dancer in full festival regalia, the painting pays tribute to Dinagyang through bold color and intricate detail, capturing the movement, devotion, and cultural pride behind the celebration.

Mini Prints, Stories to Take Home

Muzones’ art also extends beyond the canvas through selections from her Mini Collector Club, which gives art lovers a more accessible way to bring her work into their own spaces.

Each Mini Collector Club release includes a signed 5×7 fine art print, a 2×2 sticker, and the story or inspiration behind the featured piece, offering collectors a closer look at the memories and experiences that inform Muzones’ work.

Pagpauli, Iloilo opened to the public with an artist talk on August 21, 2026, and runs until September 5, 2026 at the ILOMOCA Museum Shop.

As a home for contemporary art in the region, ILOMOCA continues to provide a space where artists can share their perspectives, stories, and creative practice with a wider audience. Visit ILOMOCA and experience Pagpauli, Iloilo, along with the museum’s continuing showcase of contemporary artists and their works.

For updates, visit ILOMOCA on Facebook (@ILOMOCA), Instagram (@itsilomoca), or through email at ilomoca.ph@gmail.com. You may also reach Festive Walk Iloilo’s social media accounts on Facebook (facebook.com/FestiveWalkIloilo) and Instagram (@festivewalkiloilo).