Off to a Big Start - Our 2026 First Quarter Report

Much of our time and energy this quarter went into preparing and launching the second edition of the If Trees Could Talk International Art Biennale, even as we continued to work on the building of our Tumba-Tumba Children’s Museum of Philippine Art, and moving forward with several new book and education initiatives.

We also continued expanding and strengthening our corporate partnerships and fundraising efforts, and laying the groundwork for projects that will unfold over the coming months and years.

2026 If Trees Could Talk International Art Biennale

The most significant milestone this quarter was the launch of the 2026 If Trees Could Talk International Art Biennale, which officially opened on February 28, 2026.

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As you may recall, the Biennale began as an experiment in 2024. We saw it as a way to explore how art and storytelling might contribute to conversations about the environment. The second edition is now testing whether that idea can grow into something larger and more international.

The 2026 Biennale is unfolding in several ways.

First, we invited artists from around the world to create and send postcards responding to the question: “If Trees Could Talk, What Would They Say?” The response has been overwhelmingly positive. To date, more than 500 artists from over sixty countries have submitted works, with many artists sending several pieces each.

Here are just a few of the postcard artworks that were submitted.

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Second, more than twenty institutions and art spaces from different parts of the world also expressed interest in participating as satellite partners. Groups in Indonesia, Taiwan, India, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Latvia, and Cyprus have begun organizing their own exhibitions and activities connected to the Biennale theme and brand. We will be working with them in the coming months to document the fruits of their participation.

In the Philippines, several institutions and universities — including the Ateneo Art Gallery, BenCab Museum, UP College of Fine Arts, and Asia Pacific College — have also indicated interest in participating in the broader conversation.

The Biennale will continue running until July, with installations, exhibitions, and public activities gradually unfolding over the coming months.

In the weeks and months leading up to the Biennale launch, we spent considerable time preparing the site and completing several improvements. Existing works were restored or cleaned, including murals and installations that had weathered the previous rainy season. At the same time, new elements were added to the grounds.

Among these additions is a community mural, designed and painted by artists from Ang Illustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK), Project Barako — a Batangas-based artist collective — and schoolchildren from Ibaan.

Functional sculptures, on from artist Plet Bolipata, and three on indefinite long-term loan from the family of the late sculptor Gerry Araos, have now been installed at Tumba-Tumba.

Additionally, a few dozen fairy house are now hiding in plain sight under the trees of Tumba-Tumba. We will be organizing pottery workshops regularly throughout the year in the hope that, eventually, hundreds of these tiny whimiscal sculptures will be found throughout the land, just waiting for visiting children to explore and find them.

In addition, several improvements were made to the site itself, including the installation of bamboo fencing in several areas — particularly near the entrance — as well as repair and restoration work on some of the permanent artworks on the property.

We ended the year on two powerful notes.

First, CANVAS signed a landmark Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine Department of Education (DepEd), under the leadership of Secretary Sonny Angara. Through this partnership, we will develop two new books—entirely at no cost to DepEd—for new and young Filipino parents. Backed by guidance from experts in child development, these books will target two critical early learning stages: ages 0–4 and 5–8.

In turn, DepEd will print and distribute the books nationwide, enabling them to reach potentially millions of families, especially in underserved communities.

This is more than just another project. The Philippines is facing a serious literacy crisis. Reports commissioned by the Government have laid bare the foundational gaps in our education system, especially among the youngest learners. Functional illiteracy, compounded by malnutrition and limited access to early learning materials, leaves too many children unprepared for school, and left behind for life.

This collaboration addresses a core challenge: the Philippines’ literacy crisis, where malnutrition, lack of access to books, and foundational learning gaps hinder far too many children before they even begin formal schooling. It gives us another opportunity to do what we can to help change that, and to move forward with hope.By creating content that brings pare nts and children together where learning truly begins - at home - we are planting the seeds of lasting change. And by working with DepEd, there is a chance we can do so at scale.

Through this project, we aim to empower parents, plant the seeds of literacy where it matters most — at home — and spark a ripple effect that transforms communities and futures.

Second, we were honored to be included in the Asia-Europe Foundation’s Green Guide for the Philippines, the 10th edition of the foundation’s Creative Responses to Sustainability series.

This international publication recognized CANVAS as one of 18 pioneering Filipino organizations using the arts to address ecological challenges and promote sustainability. The guide describes CANVAS as “a compelling example of how the arts can drive dialogue, resilience, and community-led change.”

It also presents actionable recommendations for policymakers and cultural leaders, reaffirming that sustainable development is not just a scientific or economic issue, but a deeply cultural one as well.

Looking forward to 2026!!!

As we close out our 20th year, we look back with pride, and forward with purpose. We have big plans in store for 2026 — more than twelve new books in the pipeline; the second edition of our If Trees Could Talk International Art Biennale will open in February 2026; after eight years since the last one we hope to once again host once the next (our eighth!) TEDxDiliman event; more Art for Development art exhibitions; and together with our partners Looking for Juan and Marahuyo Art Projects, much much more.

And, of course, there are our ever present and looming plans and dreams for Tumba-Tumba!

We can’t wait for all of them to unfold, together you all.

Thank you for walking with us.

Here’s to the next chapter of art, stories, and impact!