On the heels of her soul-baring solo exhibit THIS IS BETHEL, artist and Philippine Navy Goodwill Ambassador Kristine Soguilon marked her 40th birthday not with fanfare, but with a glass of wine—and a canvas full of it.
Held on October 11 at Wine Story, EDSA Shangri-La, VELVET AND VINES was a one-night-only art and wine experience that transformed Kristine’s milestone into a multisensory celebration of life, healing, and creative rebirth. The exhibit featured a new collection of paintings inspired by wines from around the world—each piece a visual interpretation of flavor, terroir, and memory.
“It was actually Christian’s idea,” Kristine shared with a laugh. “I didn’t want a grand, bongga birthday. We were talking a month before about doing something meaningful. Christian said, ‘Why don’t we collaborate? I know this place called Wine Story, and I have really good wines.’ That’s how it started.”
Christian Obedoza, from Ayala Land Premier and a longtime collaborator with Wine Story, saw the potential for something intimate yet impactful. “We had just come off a successful event with Kristine and Ayala Land. This was the fruit of that success,” he said. “We love her work, her passion, and how she builds community through art.”
With only two months to prepare, the team—Kristine, Christian, and creative partner Kevin Udasco—crafted an experience that was both elegant and deeply personal. “We just sat down and laid down the details,” Kevin recalled. “Thankfully, the Wine Story team helped us with everything. It turned out really good—a great way to celebrate her 40th.”
Kristine’s collection offered a visual journey through the vineyards of the world. “Yes,” she confirmed, “I interpreted wines from different countries. I’m not well-versed in wine, but I learned through Christian and Kevin. I believe winemaking is an art in itself. When I started painting, everything just flowed—it was spontaneous.”
The exhibit was more than a birthday—it was a continuation of Kristine’s mission. Just days earlier, she had unveiled THIS IS BETHEL, a raw and redemptive solo show chronicling her journey through mental health struggles, therapy, and spiritual awakening. VELVET AND VINES became the next chapter: a toast to survival, to friendship, and to the sweetness that follows sorrow.
“I wanted something intimate,” Kristine said. “We were supposed to have a bigger celebration, but I was tired. Last year was full of challenges. This is another milestone, another journey. I couldn’t be more thankful.”
And like any good wine, the exhibit had depth and purpose. All artworks were for sale, with part of the proceeds going to the Citizen’s Support Your Navy Foundation, benefiting fisherfolk and troops stationed at the West Philippine Sea. “It’s art with a mission,” Kristine affirmed.
Of course, no wine-inspired exhibit would be complete without a bit of tasting. “Yes, we did wine tasting!” Kristine laughed. “Everything! Maganda ‘yung feeling pag marami nang wine!” Kevin chimed in, “Everything you buy here—nothing’s a miss. I guarantee that.”
For Kristine, Wine Story wasn’t just a venue—it was a revelation. “I’ve had wine in bars and restaurants, but this is the only place where I really got to know the history, the culture, and the different tastes of wine.”
From the sacred silence of Bethel to the celebratory clink of Velvet and Vines, Kristine Soguilon’s 40th birthday was not just a personal milestone—it was a masterclass in turning pain into purpose, and purpose into beauty.
“Age like wine,” she quipped, raising a metaphorical glass. And indeed, she has.
