A Night of Filipino Elegance: Juan Luna’s Una Bulaqueña Shines at the Louvre Abu Dhabi

It was an evening of art, fashion, and music under the iconic dome of the Louvre Abu Dhabi as the Philippine Embassy in the UAE hosted a gala reception to celebrate the landmark exhibition of Juan Luna’s Una Bulaqueña. Diplomats, dignitaries, and leaders of the Filipino community gathered for a night that honored heritage while placing Filipino artistry on the global stage.

The event was led by H.E. Alfonso Ferdinand Ver, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, alongside distinguished guests including UAE Minister of Culture H.E. Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Louvre Abu Dhabi Director Manuel Rebaté, Special Envoy to the UAE for Trade and Investments Kathryna Yu-Pimentel, Special Envoy to the UAE for Arts and Culture Karen Hernandez Santos, Consul General to Dubai Marford Angeles, and National Museum of the Philippines Director-General Jeremy Barns.

In his message, Ambassador Ver highlighted the cultural weight of the exhibition. He described it as an opportunity for audiences to immerse themselves in the Philippines’ “rich and fascinating history,” made possible by a cultural cooperation agreement between the Philippines and the UAE. He noted that Luna’s work stands out for its masterful fusion of European academic techniques with a profound Filipino identity.

“This masterpiece by Juan Luna, painter, sculptor, and hero of the Philippine Revolution, will be here for one year, offering visitors a profound insight into Filipino identity, history, and artistic expression,” Ambassador Ver said. “Culture is what connects us, highlighting our shared humanity.”

Rediscovering a National Treasure

Painted in 1895, Una Bulaqueña depicts a poised young Filipina from Bulacan in traditional attire, embodying grace and resilience. Its journey has been as storied as the history it represents.

“During the time of the Japanese war, it was taken to Malacañang to make sure it was preserved. So it was actually forgotten. It’s been in Malacañang for many years now,” Special Envoy for Arts and Culture Karen Santos revealed. She added that its arrival in Abu Dhabi is “a way for the world to know that we have a world-class painter in Juan Luna.”

Alongside Luna’s painting, two other rare Philippine artifacts are also on display—a gold funerary mask and a 10th-century gold cup—serving, in Ambassador Ver’s words, as “testaments to the advanced capabilities of Philippine artists.”

A Celebration in Music and Fashion

The evening was elevated with performances by the Abu Dhabi Concert Chorus, recently named Choir of the Year 2025 at Choirfest Middle East, and by young Filipino talent Peter Rosalita, who captivated the audience with his show-stopping performance.

Fashion also took center stage as internationally renowned Dubai-based Filipino designer Ezra Santos presented pieces inspired by La Bulaqueña. His Ezra Couture “AiSia” collection, featured at TernoCon 2025, reimagined the Filipina dress for today’s generation while honoring its roots.

“Once you’re doing a terno or a balintawak or baro’t saya, it’s always very special,” Santos shared. “It’s stepping forward and out of the box to make something more modern, and at the same time, still very Filipino.” International audiences, he observed, are consistently fascinated by the structure and cultural stories of the terno: “It’s always something different and unique in their eyes.”

A Year-Long Tribute to Filipino Artistry

With La Bulaqueña on display at the Louvre Abu Dhabi until June 2026, the world now has a year to appreciate this rare masterpiece. The gala’s blend of art, music, and fashion not only paid homage to Luna’s genius but also underscored the Philippines’ flourishing cultural exchange with the UAE.

It was more than a reception, it was a declaration that Filipino heritage, artistry, and identity belong on the world stage.