Breaking Boundaries, Celebrating Legacy

This April, Hatch 2025 takes center stage at the Manila Hotel in a groundbreaking celebration of art and innovation! Marking Manila Bulletin’s 125th anniversary, this special edition debuts its first-ever thematic showcase—spotlighting the raw energy and creativity of the country’s top and emerging street artists.

This year’s Hatch showcase will be a tribute to those who dared to redefine art in their terms and the audiences who embraced this shift, contributing to the worldwide celebration of Filipino street art’s bold aesthetic and cultural impact.

Experience how tradition meets modern expression as acrylic eggs become powerful canvases of storytelling and culture. Stay tuned—Hatch 2025 is set to redefine the art scene! 

#Hatch2025 #MB125 #Emergence #StreetArtMeetsTradition

Click here to see the 2025 HATCH Collection.

Reclaiming Spaces and Identity Through Art

Street art, long dismissed as unsophisticated or disruptive, now thrives as a powerful means of reclaiming spaces, narrating unheard stories, and showcasing Filipino identity.

The “emergence” of street art parallels the growth of a new wave of creatives, whose bold, urban aesthetics challenge traditional boundaries and redefine art in a way that resonates globally.

This year’s Hatch collection acknowledges the artists who infuse their creations with social commentary, heritage symbols, and contemporary design—asserting that Filipino street art is an authentic, compelling voice on the international stage.

The Artists

Quiccs

Quiccs Maiquez is a Filipino illustrator, toy designer, and creative director known for his bold, Japanese robot-inspired style. His limited-edition toys and artwork have gained international acclaim, leading to collaborations with major brands. A lifelong Adidas fan, Quiccs achieved a career milestone with a partnership that has now spanned six years, designing shoes, clothing, and toys for the brand. He is also the creative director of Burnwater, a multidisciplinary design studio, and has represented the Philippines at various global art events.

Click here to see his artwork.

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Egg Fiasco

Egg Fiasco is a Filipino contemporary artist known for his vibrant graffiti, murals, and urban-inspired artworks. Born in the mid-1980s, he initially pursued fine arts in Manila before immersing himself in street art in the mid-2000s. His distinctive style merges pop culture, folk art, comic aesthetics, and retro-futuristic elements, resulting in dynamic, ever-evolving compositions. Over the years, Egg Fiasco has exhibited his work internationally, including in the U.S., while also contributing to the growth of the urban art scene in the Philippines. Beyond murals and graffiti, his creative ventures include canvas paintings, art toys, and tattoo design.

Click here to see his artwork.

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Jade Suayan

A Filipino visual artist, she transforms her personal journey into vibrant, neon-infused portraits that merge raw emotion with bold creativity. With years of experience and a lifelong passion for painting, her work evolves from early doodles to layered, cathartic pieces. Her cartoony style, shaped by her time in animation, brings a dynamic, narrative quality, while her bold neon palette, rooted in street art, captures urban energy. Through bright colors, neon highlights, and transparent overlays, each piece transcends conventional narratives, offering an honest exploration of emotion that invites viewers to connect in their own way.

Click here to see her artwork.

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Trip63

Born and raised in Pasig, visual artist Trip63 began painting public spaces in 2008, inspired by graffiti in hip-hop videos and magazines. He has painted in multiple countries, including Singapore, the USA, Malaysia, and Japan. His work has been showcased in galleries like Secret Fresh and spaces like Midcentury Manila. Trip63 runs Carbomedia Manila, collaborating with major brands, and organizes Meeting of Styles, the Philippines’ largest graffiti event. He also owns Carrotbombing, the country's longest-running graffiti shop.

Click here to see his artwork.


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Creon Chkn

An illustrator, graffiti artist, and toy designer from Angono, Rizal, Chkn Head builds his work around characters inspired by his late dog, Chicken. Influenced by combat characters in anime, movies, and wrestling, he creates a unique universe that challenges stereotypes—proving chickens can be cool and tough. His creations have gained international recognition, collaborating with Hong Kong-based toy producers and showcasing Filipino artistry at conventions in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. His work has also reached galleries worldwide, including Clutter Gallery in New York.

Click here to see his artwork.

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Blic

Blic (born 1985) is a self taught filipino visual artist known for his signature character — a personified hands which he calls "humands". His expressive and symbolic works explore hands as a universal tool of communication, reflecting his journey from painting city walls to gaining global recognition. He is represented by Dorothy Circus Gallery (Rome and London) globally. Blic has exhibited across Asia, US, Europe, and the Middle East, A founding member of Cavity Collective and also a member of Pilipinas Street Plan, he continues to bring color and creativity to the streets, leaving a lasting mark on contemporary urban art.

Click here to see his artwork.

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Jj Zamoranos
Exld Manila

JJ Zamoranos, aka “EXLD,” is a Manila-based visual artist whose work is inspired by skateboarding, pop culture, music, lowbrow art, vinyl toys, Japanese aesthetics, and DIY ethos. His diverse portfolio includes canvas pieces, mural projects, toy designs, and graffiti. Since 2004, his career has flourished across Asia, participating in public art festivals and graffiti events such as HKWALLS (2015-17) in Hong Kong, Street Dealin’ (2017) in Jakarta, and Gate Ready Vol. 2 (2019) in Taipei. EXLD embraces graffiti’s ephemeral and rebellious nature, challenging traditional art forms by exploring impermanence and raw expression, offering a unique glimpse into his evolving visual landscape.

Click here to see his artwork.

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Distort Monsters

Distort Monsters (Migs) is a Filipino street artist known for his vibrant, bug-eyed monster characters that symbolize his journey with anxiety and self-expression. Since starting graffiti in 2009, he has transformed his struggles with mental health into playful, colorful works that resonate with audiences worldwide. Influenced by skateboarding, punk rock, and DIY culture, his art reflects a rebellious yet deeply personal narrative. His Monstermash series explores the chaotic nature of thoughts, turning once-feared monsters into friends. Distort Monsters has exhibited internationally, including in Singapore, and continues to push the boundaries of street art with his bold and inclusive creations.

Click here to see his artwork.

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Gerilya

Gerilya is a Filipino artist collective founded in 2008 by Jano, Kube, and Zap, alumni of the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts. Engaging in street art, graffiti animation, comics, fine art exhibitions, and illustration, their work is deeply rooted in Philippine culture and history. Gerilya explores socio-political issues and national identity, drawing inspiration from local pop and mass culture to create art that is both impactful and relevant. Their bold, thought-provoking visuals continue to challenge and engage audiences across different mediums.

Click here to see his their artwork.

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Wesley Valenzuela

Wesley Torres Valenzuela is a Manila-based visual artist and graphic designer whose work explores Filipino iconography, popular culture, and contemporary realities. A graduate of the University of Santo Tomas’ College of Architecture and Fine Arts, he creates dynamic mixed-media pieces that blend painting, collage, digital imaging, typography, and sculpture. His work reflects themes of urban chaos, social transformation, and mass consumerism, drawing from his deep engagement with culture, history, and technology. Valenzuela has exhibited in the Philippines, the U.S., Belgium, Korea, and Singapore, making a mark with his bold and thought-provoking visual narratives.

Click here to see his artwork.

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Isobel Francisco
STAINEDPAPER

Isobel Francisco is a Filipina visual artist whose work delves into figurative tensions and narratives of anguish, loss, and the exploration of humanity. Since her debut group show in December 2011, she has exhibited in Hong Kong, Germany, China, and various venues across Metro Manila. Her evocative pieces have been featured in both print and online publications, reflecting a deep and introspective artistic practice.

Click here to see her artwork.

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Lianne Steffi Lim
THE.STEFFI

Steffi Lim, also known as Steffi ü, is a Filipino-Chinese artist from Manila. A graduate of the University of Santo Tomas with a degree in Interior Design, she ranked 6th in the 2010 board exam and practiced Interior and Furniture Design for 12 years before becoming a full-time artist. Her passion for culture, history, and social involvement fuels her work, which began as a personal art therapy journey during the pandemic. This led her to explore painting on resin and vinyl toys, creating original characters like Poppy, Loopy, and Millie—fairytale-inspired animorphic figures blending cuteness with a macabre twist. Through her brand @the.steffi, she experiments with toy design, collaborates with international artists, and advocates for mental health awareness and inclusive design.

Click here to see her artwork.

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Reen Barrera

Reen Barrera is a Filipino artist born in Paris, France, in 1990. Growing up in the Philippines with limited access to toys, he began creating his own from found objects—an early spark in his artistic journey. After studying Fine Arts, majoring in Advertising, he became a full-time artist in 2014, having previously worked in sculpting, graphic design, and illustration. Inspired by his "toy-deprived" childhood, Barrera's work repurposes materials into mixed-media sculptures and paintings. His signature Ohlala characters, adorned with expressive symbols and patterns, explore themes of fate, socio-economic challenges, and classism, embodying the phrase, “It’s written all over your face.”

Click here to see his artwork.

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HATCH 2025: A Canvas Like No Other

In recent years, street art—once relegated to alleyways and unseen corners—has surged in both popularity and recognition. What was once dismissed as graffiti or “urban noise” has evolved into a celebrated form of expression, resonating with audiences in the Philippines and beyond.

With Hatch: Emergence, Manila Bulletin celebrates this transformation by inviting Filipino street artists to capture this movement’s vibrancy and resilience on the unique canvas of acrylic eggs. This exciting showcase will take place at the historic Manila Hotel, adding a touch of grandeur to the bold and dynamic artistry on display.

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Organized by

Manila Bulletinevents@mb.com.ph