By Corrie S. Narisma (Insiderph.com)
What began as a simple courtesy call blossomed into a deeply personal and unexpected turning point for Filipino artist Anna Vergel RS during a recent visit to the headquarters of SM Prime Holdings.
Vergel RS was welcomed by Hans T. Sy, chair of SM Prime Holdings’ executive committee. Guided personally by Sy, she expected a brief tour—but instead stepped into what she described as “a private wing of the Met Museum—with its own Starbucks inside.”
“I was stunned,” Vergel RS said. “There were museum-grade artworks, rare memorabilia, and the environment was so thoughtfully curated. Then I realized—many of my own paintings were right there on the walls fronting the HQ Chapel.”
The encounter proved emotional. Unbeknownst to her, Sy had been collecting her artworks over the years, carefully preserving and displaying them alongside pieces by celebrated local and international artists. The gesture left Vergel RS visibly moved.
“That visit inspired me on so many levels,” she said. “It reminded me of the importance of creating work that moves people, that lives outside the gallery.”
“If someone like Mr. Hans Sy can take the time to appreciate, give importance to, and nurture local artists, then I owe it to myself to keep growing and sharing my work,” she added.
The tour continued into Sy’s personal office, where he revealed a selection of his favorite pieces—including an artwork by his niece, prominently displayed.
In a quiet but meaningful gesture, Sy presented Vergel RS with a collector’s book on the private collection of modernist master Juvenal Sansó, further enriching their artistic exchange.
According to Vergel RS, the experience reignited her creative momentum and reaffirmed her purpose as an artist. She left with renewed clarity and a firm resolve to pursue new works in time for her upcoming exhibit next year.
