For the 35th edition of Conrad Manila’s well-lauded Of Art and Wine exhibition series at the Gallery C, the ship-shaped property turns to the azure blues of the ocean, its ever-undulating waves, and the creatures that coexist in its depths. This was all made possible by marine advocate and tech entrepreneur Lara Latosa.

The showcase, aptly entitled Bayside, evokes the power of its aquatic neighbor, the legendary and storied Manila Bay, as it urges viewers to take on a shared responsibility for our marine ecosystems and our future.

For Lara, dedicating a solo exhibit during the Month of the Ocean — annually commemorated on May in the Philippines (National Ocean Month is celebrated in the United States in June) — has been her driving force and commitment.

“This is my personal love letter to the ocean, making my work much more meaningful. This uniqueness sets me apart as an artist. I always believe that there are and there will be greater artists than me. However, my passion, heart, and style creates an LALatosa art,” she expounded.

Her fascination with the ocean and her advocacy were solidified in 2020, when she co-curated an abstract art show for Conrad Manila.

“Due to my works being ocean themed, I was published as an environmentalist. It sparked a fire in me to dedicate my work wholeheartedly. And so, I worked with various organizations to help bring out stories and programs benefiting the environment,” she said.

She continues this advocacy throughout each and every one of her mountings. “My main focus is on ocean preservation, so I bring out issues such as plastic pollution, coral bleaching, and the likes and how these have impacted the ocean. I’ve partnered with Oceana and UP Marine Science Institute during my first solo show. For this particular exhibition, we partnered with Divescape Hub to help rehabilitate some bleached corals during the fourth global coral bleaching event.”