Nilo Ilarde (left) and the staff of The Pinaglabanan Galleries taken during the preview exhibition in 1984. On the walls are Roberto Chabet's China Collages.

The Pinaglabanan Galleries was founded by artist Agnes Arellano and Michael Adams to showcase and support young artists. Located in the property of the old Arellano residence, which burned down in 1981, it was built as a memorial to the family members who died in the fire. The property was converted to a spacious sculpture garden for the exhibition of outdoor works. There were also four indoor galleries for different artists to hold simultaneous solo shows.

The preview exhibition opened on 10 October 1984 featuring works by Gus Albor, Bert Antonio, Marcel Antonio, Agnes Arellano, Teresa Bargielska, Joe Bautista, Santiago Bose, Roberto Chabet, Jaime de Guzman, Pardo de Leon, Duddley Diaz, Yoli Laudico, Romeo Lee, Bong Mata, Fernando Modesto, Yuan Mor'O, Danny Paz, Ramon Prieto, Dan Raralio, Raul Rodriguez, Popo San Pascual, Soler Santos, Gerardo Tan, and Nestor Vinluan.