Every February, Binondo—the world’s oldest Chinatown—comes alive in a riot of red, gold, black, and white. Families stroll the bustling streets, savoring tikoy, watching dragon dances, and lighting fireworks to welcome the Lunar New Year. But beyond the noise and excitement, there’s something quietly magical about the temples that dot the city, glowing in festive colors and steeped in centuries of tradition.
For contemporary Filipino artist Yul Servo Nieto, these temples hold deep cultural meaning. In his sixth solo exhibition, Directions 6, Nieto celebrates Chinese-Filipino heritage in a way that feels fresh, modern, and deeply personal. Known for his intricate metalwork paintings, he takes his art in a new direction, blending modern Cubism, cartography (the art of map-making), and Assemblage art—a style of sculpture that reuses everyday objects like screws and bolts to create something entirely new.
At the heart of the exhibit is Temple Splendor, an eye-catching piece that reimagines Manila’s Chinese temples. Nieto uses golden nuts—yes, the kind you’d find at a hardware store—arranged like tiny domes on a bronze-textured grid. These “domes” trace the locations of Chinese temples across the city, creating a map that isn’t just functional but visually stunning.
To give the piece balance and contrast, he incorporates Phillips nuts (which are cross-shaped, like the ones in your toolbox) to symbolize Christian churches. The result? A thoughtful merging of Filipino and Chinese identities, showing how the two cultures intertwine and coexist.
The entire piece is painted in rich, festive hues using automotive paints, inspired by the vibrant colors of Chinese temples during Lunar New Year. Around the edges, strips of stainless steel outline the key districts of Binondo and San Nicolas, creating a clear connection between the map and the real-world locations it represents.
Nieto’s creativity doesn’t stop at wall-mounted works. His exhibit also includes two freestanding sculptures that explore themes of heritage and healing.
One of them, called Nest of Healing, is shaped like a golden egg—a universal symbol of renewal. Nieto uses this piece to highlight the importance of Manila’s healthcare facilities, particularly in six districts of the city. Meanwhile, his sculpture Icons of Heritage pinpoints significant cultural landmarks like parks, universities, and historic buildings, celebrating the spaces that bring people together.
Both sculptures also incorporate gleaming sheets of gold-plated metal, which represent the Pasig River. Once a major trade and cultural hub, the river is a silent witness to centuries of Philippine history. Scattered across the sculptures are tiny colored blocks in red, blue, yellow, and white—the colors of the Philippine flag—symbolizing the deep connections between place, people, and identity.
What makes Nieto’s Directions 6 so powerful is how it bridges generations. His art reminds us of the vibrant history of Chinese temples, not just as physical structures but as places where culture is passed down. During Lunar New Year, families gather at these temples to watch lion and dragon dances, offer food to the gods, light incense, and pray for good fortune. These rituals aren’t just about tradition—they’re about family, connection, and keeping heritage alive in an ever-changing world.
For anyone curious about Manila’s Chinese-Filipino culture, this exhibit feels like an open invitation. Whether you’re an art lover, a history fan, or just someone who enjoys a good story, Nieto’s work makes you feel welcome. His pieces simply ask you to look, feel, and reflect.
In many ways, Directions 6 feels like Nieto’s own Lunar New Year offering—his way of honoring his roots and giving back to the community that has shaped him. The exhibition is a celebration of identity, tradition, and the enduring power of culture to bring people together.
So if you’re looking for something meaningful to experience this Lunar New Year, don’t miss Directions 6, which serves as a reminder of the beauty that lies in our shared histories.