Filipino-Guamanian multimedia artist Marcus Villaverde is launching a new art exhibition this weekend that highlights the diverse experiences of Filipino immigrants living on Guam, addressing what he sees as a gap in cultural representation for younger Filipino artists on the island.
The Sari Sari Show opens on Friday at 5 p.m. at Project Inspire Tumon HQ on the second floor of Grand Plaza Hotel, and runs until 10 p.m., according to a press release from Villaverde. The exhibit celebrates Philippine Independence Month with artwork from local Filipino artists exploring themes of immigration, identity and community.
Villaverde, a graphic designer and illustrator, told The Guam Daily Post the idea for the show has been developing since 2019, when he recognized a need for platforms that speak to younger Filipino-Guamanian artists.
“I thought there really isn’t a lot of platforms here on island for Filipino artists to tell Filipino stories or explore Filipino themes,” Villaverde said. “I mean, there are some groups and some initiatives that have tried to do that. But personally, as a millennial, it didn’t really speak to me.”
The artist, who was born in the Philippines and moved to Guam as a child, studied art in Manila, where he said he rediscovered his cultural identity. When he returned to Guam, he felt something was missing from the local Filipino art scene.
“If you look at the older Filipino artists… their art doesn’t really speak to how we live and what we experience,” Villaverde said, referring to younger artists such as himself. “They’re really great, but their themes are so provincial that I feel like even I can’t relate to that.”
The title Sari Sari refers to Filipino neighborhood variety stores that serve as community hubs throughout the Philippines. Villaverde chose the name to reflect the range of perspectives he hopes to showcase.
“What I wanted to showcase in this exhibit, as well, is that even though we’re all Filipinos living on Guam, I know each and every one of us have something different to bring,” he said. “When you look at the show, I want to see a variety of lived experiences from every artist.”
The exhibition features work from several Filipino artists who are friends of Villaverde, selected because he has seen them explore their cultural identity through their art. He said the artists’ diverse backgrounds, from first-generation immigrants to third-generation Filipino-Guamanians, offer different views on what it means to be Filipino on Guam.
“You even have people who have their lolas and lolos already here. They’re like third generation. So, their experience of being a Filipino would be different,” Villaverde said.
The show includes a collaboration with INSPO Studio, a new self-portrait photography studio that opened recently in the same location. Visitors can take photos with backdrops created by some of the featured artists.
Villaverde said timing the exhibit during Philippine Independence Month is intentional, noting the shared history between Guam and the Philippines.
“The more I spoke with friends, Filipino and non-Filipino, the more I realized that Guam’s history and Philippines’ history and Guam’s culture is very intertwined,” he said. “Especially with our shared history of colonization, I thought, you know, why not do this show?”
The artist hopes the exhibition resonates beyond the Filipino-Guamanian community. He believes the themes of immigration, resilience and cultural identity are universal experiences many island residents can relate to.
“I feel like it’s not just restricted to Filipino Guamanians because first of all, Guam is so multicultural,” Villaverde said. “That’s what I’m hoping, that everyone gets something out of this show.”
The exhibit represents Villaverde’s first time curating an art show, a learning experience he hopes will inspire other young artists to create their own platforms for cultural expression.
“This message is so important, I thought, ‘why not?’” he said. “I… want younger artists to also see that their voice matters and they can find a platform for it.”
Response to the exhibition has been positive. Even older members of the Filipino community have expressed support for showcasing younger Filipino voices.
“A lot of people were just telling me they didn’t know they needed a show like this,” he said. “One of my friends, she’s an officer in the Filipino community, and she told me that this is what the Filipino community needs, the voice of younger Filipinos on Guam really showcasing what it really is to be like Filipino.”
The opening night runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday at Project Inspire Tumon HQ, second floor of Grand Plaza Hotel. For more information, contact Marcus Villaverde at marcus.villaverde@gmail.com or (671) 685-4886.
