In 2010, the United States Census counted around 3.4 million Filipino-Americans nationwide—the largest Filipino population outside the Philippines and the second-largest Asian-American population behind Chinese-Americans. Given that at least 17,500 museums currently exist in the United States, according to the American Alliance of Museums, the conspicuous absence of a museum engaging the interests of a considerably large demographic makes the recent launch of the Filipino American Museum (FAM) all the more significant.

This year, the Ateneo Art Gallery in Quezon City, Philippines, held the tenth edition of its prestigious Ateneo Art Awards, which recognizes young Filipino artists under the age of 36 for outstanding exhibitions in the previous year. On August 8, out of a shortlist of 12 artists, three winners were announced: Raffy Napay for his exhibition “Thread Experience” at West Gallery, Charles Buenconsejo for “Reality is a Hologram” at Art Informal, and Buen Calubayan for “Fressie Capulong” shown at Blanc Peninsula. Each artist was awarded a studio residency grant at one of the museum’s institutional partners as well as the opportunity to exhibit their work in a group show at the art gallery (now on view through December 7).