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| Metropolitan Manila Development Authority General Manager Usec. Nicolas Torre III (center) joins film director Baby Ruth Villarama and AG Saño, a muralist, conservationist, and global environmental activist, during the launch of the WPS Mural Festival 2026 at Shangri-La The Fort in Taguig City. (Photo by Lester Naguna/PIA-NCR) |
By Jerome Carlo Paunan
TAGUIG CITY (PIA) — A filmmaker and a global muralist launched a nationwide mural festival Tuesday to mobilize Filipino artists in countering misinformation about the West Philippine Sea through public art, bringing the maritime dispute from policy chambers to community walls.
Film director Baby Ruth Villarama and muralist AG Saño unveiled the WPS Mural Festival 2026 at Shangri-La The Fort in Bonifacio Global City, gathering artists, cultural groups and stakeholders to promote awareness of the West Philippine Sea through visual arts.
Villarama said the festival grew from a need for more storytellers to bring the truth about the West Philippine Sea to ordinary Filipinos.
“We have been thinking about some ideas on how we can help the West Philippine Sea fight on the war against misinformation and false narratives,” said Villarama, who previously directed the documentary film “Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea,” about the maritime issue.
“Kailangan mas maraming storytellers na sumali so that we can bring the story of the West Philippine Sea especially the truth to the hearts of the Filipinos,” she added.
Villarama said color and art could bridge the story of the West Philippine Sea to the broader public.
“Kung ang kulay ay pwedeng maging posibilidad para ilapit ang kwento ng West Philippine sea sa taong bayan, it’s worth a try,” she said.
For his part, Saño said the festival seeks entries that reflect truthful, community-rooted narratives, particularly from street artists and muralists who have historically delivered powerful messages without commercial gain.
“Hinahanap namin yung katotohanan,” Saño said of the nationwide mural competition, noting that street art has driven revolutions worldwide and the Philippines is no exception.
“Willing kaming makilahok sa laban na ito, na yung laban ng katotohanan at the same time magamit yung mga talento namin para makilahok dito sa laban na to hindi lang siya sa platform o sa plane ng politics, ng policy makers kundi sa komunidad,” he added.
Saño said the festival aims to reach the remotest corners of the Philippines and amplify grassroots voices across all skill levels, while encouraging youth participation.
“Gusto namin i-encourage yung kabataan. Tutal henerasyon nila ‘yung haharap nitong mga consequences na magreresulta sa kung anong mangyayari sa panahon natin ngayon,” he said.
The national mural and canvas festival invites artists, schools, local government units and art collectives to interpret maritime identity through public art.
A national jury in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts will select 100 winning designs from across the country, each receiving a P30,000 cash prize, with a P1 million grand prize for the top entry.
For more information about the competition, follow the Facebook page of the Philippine Information Agency: https://www.facebook.com/pia.gov.ph, one of the event partners. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
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