Katya Guerrero's The First Dream presented at the exhibition 'Dangerous Metaphors' curated by Roberto Chabet at The Art Center, SM Megamall from 9 - 21 September 1996. In the back from left to right are works by Jayson Oliveria, Jay Ticar, and Jonathan Olazo.

Excerpt from the press release:
'The array of artists from the Eighties and Nineties manifest a keen sensitivity to contemporary aspects of representation - a definition that has become increasing elusive and dynamic; assuming subtle nuances in the advent of a millennium gravitating towards other spheres of awareness and altered modes of reality. Representation, not in traditional terms of figuration but transfiguration, with separate emphases on both prefix and verb/adjective (re+present): A schematic reification of a preexisting concept or belief.

The exhibition adjunctly explores the implicit element of danger in ascribing metaphorical content in the act of painting. Its subversive elements cloaked beneath surface-calm and in subterfuge; in questions elicited rather than prescribed. The artists reckon with the capacity of metaphor to undermine its subject. That the ultimate consummation is in its misreading - the ineluctable misreading of a misreading that acts as catalysts to mutations unforeseen and yet inevitable at the same time.'

The participating artists are: Ronald Achacoso, Ramil Belanio, Katya Guerrero, Nilo Ilarde, Jet Melencio, Joy Melencio, Elaine Roberto-Navas, Jayson Oliveria, Jonathan Olazo, Yasmin Sison, Juni Salvador, Gerardo Tan, Jay Ticar, Trek Valdizno, and Katrina Valenzuela.