Filipino Pride: The Kapampangan Behind Gulf Royal Portraits

DUBAI, UAE—A source of pride for Pampanga and the Philippines, Ely Caluag, a native of San Fernando, Pampanga, is steadily soaring to international recognition as a visual artist based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

What once began as quiet hope and persistence on social media has now transformed into a career milestone few artists ever reach. In a reflective post on his Facebook account, Caluag wrote, “Isn’t it weird, that exactly 10 years ago, I was just praying that the Highnesses will notice my little posts on Instagram?”

Today, those same royal institutions now commission him for their most official and historically significant projects. He reflected on his journey and told TFCN: “One free time, I made an Instagram post about the Highnesses here in Dubai. After two days it went viral, (on) third day, the Crown Prince Office was already calling me for an interview. A month later, I was working for the Royal Family,” he said.

“It was the best situation I never expected, never planned, never imagined could happen to a struggling artist like me,” he added.

For over a year, Caluag worked closely with the Prime Minister’s Office of Dubai on a prestigious commission: the restoration and unification of the oldest known images of Dubai’s early tribal rulers. Spanning from the early 1900s to the present, the project involved nine meticulously crafted artworks, recreated from limited references and newly discovered archival materials. The work required not only artistic mastery but also deep historical sensitivity and accuracy.

This landmark achievement opened the doors to even greater trust. Caluag has since been commissioned to create official portraits and historical artworks for members of Dubai’s Royal Family, as well as artworks representing all ruling families across the United Arab Emirates. His portfolio further extends beyond the UAE, with commissioned works for royal and ruling families of Oman and Bahrain, solidifying his reputation as a trusted visual historian of the Gulf region.

From San Fernando to the palaces of the Middle East, Caluag’s journey stands as a testament to perseverance, faith in one’s craft, and the global impact of Filipino artistry.

“Back in 2015, I took the big risk of setting up my own business in Dubai. I left the corporate world without a visa, no certain income and living with my six friends in one room. I was literally working on my bunkbed and on cafes for nights in a row,“ Caluag told TFCN.

Caluag is truly, a Kapampangan pride, raising the Philippine flag overseas.

Photos: Dubai Media Office