Sixteen young artists from Las Piñas, ages 5 to 17, recently took part in an immersive art workshop led by Argentinian painter Luca Martini and Ilonggo woodcarver Jeanroll Ejar, offering them a rare opportunity to explore global artistic traditions firsthand.

The cultural outreach event featured interactive sessions on painting and wood carving, emphasizing the shared heritage between Argentina and the Philippines — both former Spanish colonies with deep Catholic traditions. The workshop highlighted how art can bridge nations through culture, identity, and collaboration.

The event coincided with Martini and Ejar’s joint exhibition at Talyer 15 Gallery in Pasay, held from 26 to 30 May. The exhibit was the fourth in the Vernissage series organized by Siargao Artist in Residence, a project co-founded by Las Piñas First Councilor-elect Alelee Aguilar and Ian Geron.

Hosted in partnership with the Embassy of Argentina in the Philippines and supported by Ambassador Ricardo Luis Bocalandro, the initiative aimed to inspire young Filipinos to engage with art on a deeper level.

“It is important for the youth to understand the value of art not only in preserving our culture,” said Aguilar, “but also in embracing the power of collaboration and building meaningful relationships across cultures.”