Acclaimed Filipino painter and sculptor Kublai Millan unveiled his latest exhibit, “Land of Premise,” comprising a total of 14 paintings, seeking to reclaim the original promise of Mindanao — a land of peace, prosperity, and unity — while exploring the complex history and unfulfilled potential of the southernmost island of the Philippines.
Running at The Manila Hotel’s Art Gallery, which provides the perfect backdrop for Kublai’s exhibit, until August 31, the exhibit is a call to action, a time to remember the premise on which Mindanao was built — its strengths, its unique identity, and its people.
In an exclusive interview, Kublai shared with Malaya Business Insight that “premise” is a beautiful word. It is not the land of promise; rather, one should look back at the premises and understand why they were established. “So, what are the premises? They represent the strengths of people, such as identity and culture, among others,” he said.
Kublai only does one show a year, and it has just concluded. However, this particular show was a special request from The Manila Hotel president and former senator Atty. Joey Lina, who is a good friend of his father’s. The pieces on display are not his new works; they are from his collection.
If he were to organize an exhibition like this, he wanted to include a strong message, which is why he chose that title. “It’s not merely a show; it’s a challenge for people to reflect on why they face problems and why poverty persists,” he also said. For Kublai, people often expect the government to solve their issues, when, in fact, there is so much potential within them. “If art can encourage people to recognize their strengths and the premises they operate from, perhaps hunger can be alleviated.”
He aims to inspire people to find their strength, particularly through their culture and the arts, and then use that strength to make a difference.
Kublai shared this is his provincial exhibition, showcasing the joys of the people. He has been doing this for the past 20 years. These are standard paintings from his collection, but the venue is unique, so he created something special for this setting.
The title of the exhibit is somewhat philosophical. As Kublai said, “That’s about it — to philosophize.” When Quezon declared Mindanao as the Land of Promise, he noted the reality did not align with the promise, because the underlying premise was forgotten.
The creative process was deeply rooted in Kublai’s experiences within various communities and the stories he learned from them.
In his message, he is trying to encourage the younger generation, who might be somewhat detached from the essence of the subject. However, they still have open minds. “That’s why, as older artists, they try to teach how to paint by truly understanding the subject from the soul.”
According to Kublai, Mindanao offers immense inspiration and opportunities, but time is limited. In Mindanao, artists work harder, but they can only amplify their voice if they unite as a group. They’ve noted that their art tends to be more celebratory than prayerful. When creating, they avoid mundane subjects and instead focus on vibrant, lively works, reflecting their colorful, festive, and grateful nature.
Regarding his art philosophy, Kublai stated, “I’m not the artist; this is not true. This is just imagination. These pieces portray the people.” He is conscious of his artistic style but does not wish to compete with other artists nationally. “When I create monuments, I ensure that I give my all and am passionate about them.” As for painting, he adds, “Well, you take it as much as you can, but that’s about it.”
Kublai is also taking this chance as an artist to visualize Mindanao as a truly promised land fulfilled. He invites others to learn about, identify with, connect to, and commune with this blessed land. Words alone cannot build a future; only actions and resources can.
Understand the premise so we can conceive of a promise that is truly achievable.
