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| “Tree Huggers” scale model - sculpture by Lito Mondejar based on a painting of by Elmer Borlongan |
It has been twenty years since the Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development (CANVAS) began working with the local creative community to promote literacy and explore national identity through art. From the outset, CANVAS has aimed to encourage a love for books and foster discussion and reflection on the key issues of our times.
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| “Tree Huggers” at Tumba Tumba Children's Museum of Philippine Art in Batangas |
For founder and executive director Gigo Alampay, children with art and stories can change the world. CANVAS started with one story–The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono–and has since told numerous stories of its own. “We cling to the hope and possibility that somewhere down the line, one of the books that we publish, one of the artworks that we show, or one of ideas that we share, will trigger the imagination of one child who will then be moved to change the world for the better,” he says.
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| CANVAS Founder and Executive Director Gigo Alampay |
The nonprofit entered the scene with the launch of its first book, Elias and His Trees, in 2005. To date, it has published over 50 books covering different themes and topics, from children’s rights and the environment, to democracy, friendship, family, and grief. Some notable titles include the award-winning Hanapin Ang Sagot: Ano Ang Batas Militar?, Karapat Dapat, and I Like Wearing Rainbows. Other books, such as Nadia and the Blue Stars and Silim, Prinsesa ng Dilim, have been adapted into stage plays and musicals. CANVAS has also worked with prominent figures in Philippine literature to author and translate books; these writers include Vim Nadera, Cyan Abad-Jugo, and Butch Dalisay.
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| Sculpture by Renato Barja Jr. entitled Bakwit |
The lineup of talents in the visual arts who have generously shared their gifts with CANVAS includes BenCab, Daniel dela Cruz, Renato Barja, Jonathan Madeja, Mark Justiniani, Joy Mallari, Leeroy New, Elmer Borlongan, Lito Mondejar, Renz Baluyot, Liza Flores, and Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK), to name a few. Their creations have brought CANVAS’ books to life with striking images, inspired uniquely designed gift items, and shaped some of the most educational and insightful art events.
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| The “Safe Space” area of the exhibit equips children with internet safety |
Their artworks are showcased in the anniversary exhibition, CANVAS: 20 Years of Art and Stories which will run for a year at the National Museum of Fine Arts and will be open to the public starting June 14.
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| Safe Space is a children's activity book on data privacy |
The exhibit is divided into themes representing the various advocacies close to CANVAS. The show includes several interactive elements designed to engage young visitors. Some sections feature archways that children can go through, inviting them to explore at their own pace.
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| Pages from the activity book “Karapat Dapat” which is about children’s rights |
“Ode to a Young Reader” is a love letter to children about reading, “I Am the Change in Climate Change” brings the environment into the conversation. On one wall, there is a spinning roulette of activities and ideas for visitors, especially kids, to remember in order to make their daily habits more sustainable and eco-friendly. Another side has a matching game called “Everything Is Connected,” where kids can match the cause and effect of various phenomena in nature.
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| Interactive board about AI in the “Safe Space” area which equips children with internet safety |
The “Safe Space” area equips children with internet safety. There is a magnetic board of what AI can do. Kids can use the magnets to show how they feel about the different capabilities of AI, if it’s something that they think is helpful, something they’re worried about, or if they haven’t decided yet.
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| Daniel de la Cruz with his sculpture which was used in the book A Fish Tale |
In “Karapat Dapat,” the section about children’s rights, there are pillows and mats, and there are mirrors with motivational words where visitors can take selfies. And the Art for Development portion covers topics such as women, diaspora, and faith.
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| CANVAS has published 50+ books covering children’s rights, the environment, democracy, friendship, family, grief etc |
At the heart of the exhibition hall is “Read. Imagine. Create.” where visitors can read, play, and rest. There will be workshops and activities that give kids the opportunity to put their ideas into action - producing their own art, writing, and other creative expressions. On the calendar are storytelling, poetry writing, story writing, illustration and art appreciation, and upcycling. For parents and educators, there will be talks on topics such as explaining Martial Law to children and ensuring internet safety for the family. The complete schedule and registration details will be posted on CANVAS’ social media accounts.
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| CANVAS Founder and Executive Director Gigo Alampay 3 |
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| CANVAS Founder and Executive Director Gigo Alampay 2 |
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| Abi Dionisio’s & Nina Garibay’s artworks appeared in the book BABAE! 18 Fierce and Fearless Filipinas |
“I selected most of the artworks in the exhibition and worked with our curator, Jaime Pacena II, to help translate my vision into a cohesive and meaningful experience for a public audience. For J, curation goes beyond the act of selecting—it is an act of care: caring for what is already available and creating thoughtful dialogue between the works, the viewers, and the space that holds them. So for us, we wanted to make sure that we show a collective portrait of the values, stories, and creative energies that have shaped CANVAS over the past 20 years,” explains Alampay. “This vision extends to how we reimagine audience engagement, by inviting long-time collaborators such as Daniel dela Cruz and Renato Barja Jr. to create large-scale sculptures, and by developing interactive learning pods with Liza Flores, Ang INK, and Dialogo. To complete this experience, we partnered with Arkisens, a collective of artist-architects, whose contribution helped translate the curatorial vision into a tangible, spatial encounter - one that bridges art and storytelling, and speaks directly to our mission of inspiring children and families through creativity,” he adds.
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| CANVAS 20 Years of Art and Stories curator Jaime Pacena II |
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| “I Am the Change in Climate Change” is an interactive section that brings the environment into the conversation |
Aside from celebrating a milestone, CANVAS: 20 Years of Art and Stories is meant to offer a glimpse into the soon-to-open Tumba-Tumba Children’s Museum of Philippine Art in Ibaan, Batangas, where everything on display—and those still to come—will find a permanent home.
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| The book A Fish Tale features sculptures by Daniel de la Cruz |
Situated on a 15,000-sqm piece of land, Tumba-Tumba is currently open only for special events or by appointment. At the moment, there are five installations in place at the Museum: Elmer Borlongan and Lito Mondejar’s “Tree Huggers”; Leeroy New’s first permanent structure, “I Am the Explorer,” a spaceship that will house Tumba-Tumba’s permanent collection; Don Bryan Bunag’s “Lilim”; Cian Dayrit’s “The Anti-Monument (The Weight of Words)”; and John Santos and Pam Yan Santos’ “Not A Mirage.”
The Museum also hosts the “If Trees Could Talk” International Art Biennale, whose first edition was launched in February last year. In March 2025, Filipino visual artists Mr. S and BLIC completed a 100-ft mural that will be part of the following year’s Biennale.
Turning this dream project into reality requires significant resources, and CANVAS has been doubling its efforts to raise additional support and keeping doors open to new collaborations and sponsorships.
As progress continues on the museum, other CANVAS initiatives remain active such as the “One Million Books for One Million Filipino Children” campaign. Through this program, CANVAS donates its books to children in public schools and underserved communities across the Philippines. The books are also available for free download from the CANVAS website.
Finally, there is CANVAS’ public art program, Art for Development, which facilitates discussions on national issues, culture, the environment, and more. The program invites Filipino artists to respond to chosen themes through paintings and sculptures that are then displayed as art banners in pedestrian-friendly areas, such as the Academic Oval in UP-Diliman.
Visit “CANVAS: 20 Years of Art and Stories” at the fourth floor of the National Museum of Fine Arts, Galleries 25 & 26, from June 14, 2025 until June 2026.
To learn more about the Tumba-Tumba Children’s Museum of Philippine Art, log on to www.tumbatumba.ph, www.iftreescouldtalk.art, and www.marahuyoartprojects.com. For more information about CANVAS go to www.canvas.ph, or follow @canvas.ph on Facebook and @canvasph.art on Instagram.
Complete list of “CANVAS: 20 Years of Art and Stories” participating artists: Marcel Antonio, Mark Dawn Arcamo, Renato Barja Jr., Jeho Bitancor, Elmer Borlongan, BenCab, June Digan, Liza Flores, Emmanuel Garibay, Sarah Geneblazo, Renato Habulan, Johanna Helmuth, Jon Jaylo, Mark Justiniani, Dante Lerma, Joy Mallari, Lui Manaig, Roel Obemio, Jim Orencio, Jaime Pacena II, Don Salubayba, Mr. S, STUDIO 1616, CJ Tanedo, Palma Tayona, Mimi Tecson, Liv Vinluan, Christopher Yap, Daniel Dela Cruz, Ferdie Montemayor, Rodel Tapaya, Sangviaje, Dengcoy Miel, Aldy Aguirre, Anthony Palomo, Abi Dionisio, Alynnah Macla, Jonathan Madeja, Cedrick Dela Paz, Nina Garibay, Door 305 Artist Collective, Renz Baluyot, Pam Yan-Santos, Jose John Santos III, Lito Mondejar, Susanito Sarnate, Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan, and Michael Cacnio.
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