Holding the production copy of Modern Art: Philippine Edition last week felt surreal, an incredible mix of giddiness and relief. To celebrate the milestone, we headed to Fundacion Sansó to film an unboxing and, more importantly, to finally share the story of how Modern Art PH was made. It was a special moment to walk through the project's long journey alongside our collaborators: Tenie, Ricky, and the estates.
As Hans mentioned during our livestream, this project has been over a year in the making, born from a dream and a chance encounter with Dr. Reiner Knizia. You truly miss 100% of the shots you don't take; we’ve always loved his iconic auction game and noticed the many international versions: from Korea and Taiwan to editions featuring stamps or classical masterpieces.
We kept thinking how incredible it would be to showcase Filipino artists in that same global format. It felt like a beautiful long shot, but Dr. Knizia was genuinely excited and said yes. For the first time, this masterpiece has been reimagined through the lens of Filipino creativity, and we can't wait to show you the "behind-the-scenes" of how it all came together.
The Perfect Partners: Fundacion Sansó
Getting the art was the next big hurdle, and it was a humongous challenge. It took months of research, emails, and calls. I still remember Willo and I walking through the National Museum of Fine Arts last year, dreaming about Luna, Amorsolo, and Manansala. We needed at least 16 pieces from each artist to build a full collection for the game, and tracking those down was difficult. The art industry here is a bit complicated when it comes to licensing. We quickly realized that many paintings are tied up with various institutions or private collectors, and navigating those approvals can be a massive investment of time and resources. For a while, we worried the project might not see the light of day.
Luckily, we found the perfect partners in Fundacion Sansó.
The game features works by National Artists Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, Larry Alcala, and Abdulmari Imao, alongside Raul Lebajo and Juvenal Sansó. What makes it even more special is that it goes beyond just paintings. You will see illustrations, sculptures, and tapestries. Playing the game feels like walking through a gallery where five distinct visual languages tell a story that spans from Luzon to Mindanao.
This project was powered by trust and heritage. It would not exist without people like Executive Director Ricky Francisco and Assistant Director Tenie Santos, who work tirelessly to preserve and digitize these works. Beyond preservation, the foundation provides vital authentication services to protect collectors from forgeries. When people ask "why these five artists," the answer is a blend of serendipity and pragmatism. We wanted National Artists, and through the foundation’s Initiative for the Continuation of Artist’s Estates (I-CARE), we found the right bridge. It came down to who was willing, who was able, and what we could afford.
Convincing the estates to see a board game as a new gallery space for their works was a challenge. It was a bit of a hard sell at first because the hobby is still quite niche and unfamiliar to many. So, we did what board gamers do best: we played. Somewhere between the bids, the bluffs, and the banter, it clicked. It became competitive! We saw price pumping and playful power plays. At one point, Ricky of Fundación Sansó and Lee Imao pointed out how the mechanics actually mirror the real art world. Art imitating auction imitating art. Full circle!
Visual Identity and Design
At the center of the box is Abdulmari Imao’s Sarimanok. It is bold and unmistakably Filipino, a symbol of good fortune with a palette that echoes our flag and our seas. It is a declaration of identity. The other artists frame the box, much like how art surrounds our daily lives.
We also put a lot of thought into the functional design:
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Orientation: Some cards are in landscape format because certain works lose their power if you force them into a portrait crop. To keep things smooth, icons appear on both upper corners so you can fan your hand in any direction.
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Local Details: Christian Dizon designed the Museum Shields inspired by Filipino museums and architecture. Tanya Mallillin designed the money tokens to match the colors of Philippine currency.
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Art Deco: The strong visual language is a nod to Juan M. Arellano’s Manila Metropolitan Theater.
- Easel and Gavel: This is an auction game, so we made sure we would have a good tactile experience.
The Art Book: Gallery in a Game
Every copy includes a dedicated Art Book. Think of it as your exhibition catalog. It has full-color reproductions and biographies so you can learn about the context of each piece while you play. It transforms a game night into something reflective and immersive.
At its heart, this is a love letter to Philippine art and the community that made this possible. It is a way for all of us to play, learn, and celebrate our culture at the same time.
Modern Art: Philippine Edition is now available for pre-order. We can't wait to see you at the official launch during the ALL ABOARD EXPO from May 28 to 31!
Erratum: Please replace the base game's "Impact of Creation" card (by Juvenal Sanso) with the updated version included in the game.
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