Who’s Jojo Gubalane?

Jojo Gubalane may not be a household name, but his work is about to welcome thousands of visitors to one of Cebu’s newest landmarks. As the artist behind Echoes of Mactan, the massive mural displayed at Mactan Expo, Jojo Gubalane has created more than just a striking piece of public art. He has created a visual introduction to Cebu itself.

For many guests attending conventions, exhibitions, concerts, and international events at Mactan Expo, the mural could become their very first impression of the island.

So, who exactly is Jojo Gubalane?

Who Is Jojo Gubalane?

Long before Jojo Gubalane became known for large-scale public artworks, he was already immersed in the world of design.

His early career involved creating concepts for furniture, home furnishings, fashion accessories, and murals while working with furniture exporters such as Maitland Smith Philippines, Gold Coast, and Wicker and Vine. That experience sharpened his eye for detail and craftsmanship, qualities that would later become evident in his paintings and mixed-media works.

In 1990, he joined the Cebu Arts Association, marking the beginning of a professional fine arts career that continues to evolve today.

Over the years, Gubalane transitioned from acrylic and oil paintings into contemporary and mixed-media art, developing a visual style inspired by Cebu’s landscapes, communities, traditions, and everyday life.

An Award-Winning Cebuano Artist

Although many Filipinos are only discovering Jojo Gubalane through Mactan Expo, his work has earned recognition both locally and internationally.

Among his notable achievements are:

• Finalist, Metrobank Art & Design Excellence Competition (1995)
• Grand Prize Winner, This Is My Face International Art Competition in California (2011)
• Grand Prize Winner, Borneo Arts Festival Doodle Art Competition (2023)

These milestones reflect a career built steadily over decades rather than overnight recognition.

The Story Behind Echoes of Mactan

Located at the Newtown Boulevard Lobby of Mactan Expo, Echoes of Mactan serves as a permanent welcome for visitors entering the venue.

Rather than focusing on a single historical event, the mural celebrates the many traditions that have shaped Cebu through the years.

Look closely, and you’ll find references to shellcraft, fishing communities, weaving traditions, marine life, agriculture, and the iconic Cebu guitar. Together, these symbols tell a story about the people, industries, and craftsmanship that continue to define the island today.

Instead of presenting Cebu through familiar tourist attractions, Jojo Gubalane chose to highlight the everyday traditions that make the province unique.

From Gallery Walls to Public Spaces

Throughout his career, Jojo Gubalane has mounted several solo exhibitions in Cebu, including:

• Variations of Visions
• Transfiguration
• Transfiguration II
• Art Venture
• Colour My World

Hosted at venues such as Ayala Center Cebu and Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, these exhibitions showcased an artist constantly experimenting with color, symbolism, and composition while remaining deeply connected to Cebuano identity.

That connection is perhaps what makes Echoes of Mactan feel so natural inside Mactan Expo.

READ: Why the Philippines Needs More Convention Centers Outside Metro Manila

A Name Worth Remembering

Visitors may admire Echoes of Mactan without immediately knowing the artist behind it.

But once you learn about Jojo Gubalane, his decades of work, his international recognition, and his commitment to celebrating Cebu through art, the mural takes on a deeper meaning.

It’s no longer just a striking backdrop for photos.

It’s the work of a Cebuano artist whose career has quietly flourished for more than 30 years, and whose latest masterpiece now welcomes the world to Cebu.