Man for all seasons Emmanuel “Manny” Garibay earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology at U.P. Los Banos, his Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts at U.P. Diliman, and his Master’s Degree in Divinity at the Union Theological Seminary in Cavite.

During the mid-80’s, he was an activist and was involved with a group called Artista Ng Bayan (People’s Artists), whose vision and influence were clearly manifested in his art. 

Many of Garibay’s paintings center on everyday people and places, showing ordinary, “normal” people but depicting them as a kind of political entity.  While focusing on seemingly traditional subjects and certain religious themes that are discernible in Philippine society and culture, he depicts these with a certain irony and a sardonic but humane regard.

Garibay describes his approach as “social realism”.  He considers himself a highly sensitive individual and keen observer of society, studying everything around him and using his works as social commentary in the belief that art can be an effective medium for awakening consciousness. He has developed a distinctive style characterized by  bold images, figurative distortions, vibrant colors and rich surface textures.

Garibay has had numerous exhibitions here and abroad, and is the recipient of several prestigious awards, notably the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) Thirteen Artists Award in 2000, and Second Place in the Painting Category at the Bienal del Bellas Artes in Madrid, Spain.

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