Art Patron Julian Ongpin Is Making the Headlines, But Not in the Arts

(SPOT.ph) The Ongpin surname made the headlines on Monday, September 21 after Filipina painter Bree Jonson was found dead in the bathroom of a resort room in La Union. She was last seen with Julian Roberto Ongpin, a known art patron and son of Filipino billionaire Roberto Ongpin.

Also read: From the Stillness of Nature to Animals in Motion: The Art of Bree Jonson

Who is Julian Ongpin?

Julian Ongpin became most known in the art community after he opened the Julian Ongpin Young Artists Gallery on the second floor of Alphaland Makati Place in September 2015. The contemporary art gallery was conceived to showcase emerging international artists alongside the country’s up-and-coming artists.

In 2018, JOYA Gallery hosted a solo exhibition by Jono Duran Pisano, a half-Filipino, half-Italian painter who moved from New York to Manila after completing a Fine Arts degee in New York. In 2017, the gallery presented works by Manila-based abstract artist Art Tavera and new media artist Boo Dabu.

Julian’s father, Roberto Ongpin, is the chairman and CEO of Alphaland Corporation—it operates Balesin Island, Alphaland Makati Place, Alphaland Aviation, and Alphaland Baguio Mountian Lodges. He served as the Minister of Trade and Industry during the Marcos administration after working for his uncle Fred Velayo at Sycip Gorres Velayo and Co. The elder Ongpin later opened real estate development Belle Corporation, which built upscale resort community Tagaytay Highlands. He is also the current chair of investment holding company Atok-Big Wedge. Roberto is listed by Forbes as the 22nd richest in the Philippines for 2021 with a net worth of U.S. $1.1B.

Julian’s late mother, Della Stone, was an avid collector of both Australian and Philippine art. Features on JOYA Gallery’s opening reported that this was his early exposure to art, especially since their house in Sydney was filled with his mother’s collection.

The Philippine Star reported in 2015 that Julian is a descendant of Filipino painter Damian Domingo and that his grandfather, Alfonso Ongpin, was a famous collector of works by Luna, Hidalgo, and Amorsolo.

Also read: Artist Bree Jonson Found Dead in La Union

Julian Ongpin’s Involvement in the Death of Bree Jonson

Jonson’s cause of death is still unconfirmed as police authorities have yet to reveal autopsy results.

According to police reports, Ongpin and Jonson checked in early evening of September 17, Friday, at Flotsam and Jetsam resort in San Juan, La Union. They stepped out before midnight and returned to their room at around 3 a.m. About 30 minutes later, Ongpin rushed out of their room asking for help saying Jonson was dead in their bathroom after an apparent suicide. This was confirmed by an investigator on the case, Master Sergeant Alfredo Fajardo, to reportr.

San Juan Police Chief Major Gerardo Macaraeg also said that they “found plenty of cocaine [on] the bed.” Ongpin was taken into police custody for drug possession.

Jonson was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. She was autopsied past 8 p.m. on Monday.

The Philippine National Police chief said on Tuesday that Ongpin tested positive for illegal drugs. However, he was ordered released by the provincial prosecutor while the investigation is ongoing. His current whereabouts have yet to be confirmed.

“Nasampahan na ng kaukulang kasong may kinalaman sa iligal na droga ang kasintahan (sic) ni Bree Jonson na si Julian Ongpin matapos itong mag-positibo sa drug test at makuhanan ng cocaine sa kanilang inuupahang kuwarto sa isang resort sa La Union,” Chief Gen. Guillerm Eleazar said in a statement.

Bree’s mother Sally Jonson, who flew to the Philippines from Canada after her death, fears that Ongpin may have already left the country.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said that the Department of Justice will issue an immigration lookout bulletin order against Ongpin.

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