MARCH - MAY 2021
BOOKGIVING THIS QUARTER
From March to May 2021, we gave away 8,970 books to children in various communities and schools all over Luzon.
1,334 copies to A-HA Learning Center, Comembo Elementary School
1,024 copies to Comembo Elementary School
100 copies to JCI Navotas
4,595 copies to Ako Bakwit and various communities in Batangas
1,917 copies to Ako Bakwit, A-HA Learning Center, Virlanie Foundation, SOS, and 2KK
We were especially touched by, and wish to re-share this link that one of the teachers at Comembo Elementary School provided. Her students received copies of YOUTHINK from CANVAS, and you can see their comments and feedback to us here: https://padlet.com/josemaricabaccan1/ca7fs1zi0plagrso
500 YEARS!
To commemorate and reflect on the 500th Anniversary of Magellan’s arrival in the Philippines, some of the country's best contemporary artists have interpreted reflections by former history professor Roberto Galang's on selected episodes from 1521 to the present. The show, “Vignettes” opened last March 16, 2021 at UP Town Center in Quezon City.
Participating artists included Buen Abrigo, Japs Antido, Renz Baluyot, Renato Barja Jr., Elmer Borlongan, Manny Garibay, Johanna Helmuth, Paolo Icasas, Mark Justiniani, Alynnah Macla, Dengcoy Miel, Chad Montero, Jaime Pacena II, Jojit Solano, Brendale Tadeo, and Rom Villaseran.
You may view “Vignettes” online at https://www.tumbatumba.ph/quincentenniale.
ANOTHER ARTWORK GIVES BIRTH TO ANOTHER BOOK!
The contest piece by Robert Langenegger that inspired the book.
This is the first of 15 children's books in our pipeline for 2021!
We just launched CANVAS' latest full color storybook for children, "Si Apo Laban sa Ungga-Ungga" by Daryl Pasion with artworks by Robert Langenegger.
AND ANOTHER ONE IS ON THE WAY!
Yet another new children’s book, inspired again by a painting, is coming in 2022! Palanca Award winning writer Genaro Gojo Cruz won the 30th Romeo Forbes Story Writing Competition for his story "Ang Pusang Kartero".
Inspired by Mark Jeffrey Santos' contest piece artwork, shown above, the book is expected to be launched sometime in the 3rd quarter of 2022.
ART FAIR PHILIPPINES 2021
I AM THE STORYTELLER
For Art Fair Philippines 2021, we offered a group show of wordless narratives. We challenged the participating artists to create new works that could inspire viewers to imagine their own stories. Each piece then was an invitation to the viewers to find inspiration and become storytellers themselves.
We hope to compile selected works from this show to publish a new picture book that can be given away as part of our children’s literacy mission.
ADVOCATING FOR EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
As everyone knows, anti-Asian racism and violent attacks on Asians, particularly in the United States, have increased in recent months. Elmer Borlongan, with whom CANVAS has had a long standing relationship, was so affected by the viral video of the attack on an elderly Filipino American woman that he was inspired to create this rubbercut print. He approached us for ideas on how to best use this image to make a statement, and express support for people and organizations taking a stand against discrimination.
Emong and CANVAS have now partnered with Asia Society Philippines, the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, Looking for Juan, Manila House, to do just that. We have made the image freely downloadable on our website, and are encouraging people to print copies and post them in places where the general public might see it. Participants are also given the chance to win an original signed limited edition rubbercut print of the image!
To download the image, and to see the rules to join visit: https://www.tumbatumba.ph/stop-asian-hate