Daily TribuneThrough Protegeri, Ayala Foundation, OFF! and Filipino artists unite art and advocacy—transforming recycled materials into powerful works that protect the planet and empower children’s futures.
The upcycled paper flowers in ‘Birds of Freedom’ are made by the women of Kasilawan Cooperative in Makati.
The ‘El Nidos’ are pieces adorned with plastic flowers made by high school students from El Nido, Palawan, public schools.
Photographs courtesy of AYALA FOUNDATION
Every flower in ‘Ploreras' has the name of the child who made it.
‘Second Life’ celebrates second chances and dwells on the circular nature of life.
Art takes on a deeper purpose in Protegeri, an inspiring exhibition that opened on 18 October at The Gallery, Greenbelt 5 in Makati City. More than just a showcase of creativity, the exhibit unites art and advocacy to raise funds for students from the Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI) communities in Makati and El Nido, Palawan.
A collaboration between AFI and OFF!, Protegeri brought together three celebrated Filipino artists—Leeroy New, Vito Selma, and Solenn Heussaff—for a two-week fundraising exhibit built on the idea that “art works and art protects.” Together, they show how art can be a force for both expression and empowerment.
“Protegeri, which means ‘protection’ in Latin, is both a commitment and a statement—we need to protect children from waste and wasted potential,” said Paul Vincent Mercado, senior director for Marketing and External Relations at AFI. “Through Protegeri, we call for more collaborative efforts to help build a sustainable future for children, piece by piece.”
All proceeds from the exhibit will support AFI’s educational programs for children.
Art that protects
The participating artists worked with communities and students to transform discarded materials into striking artworks—modern-day talismans of protection and renewal.
Leeroy New, known for his socially and environmentally conscious installations, created a series titled El Nidos—Spanish for “the nests.” The works, adorned with plastic flowers made in collaboration with high school students from El Nido, reflect themes of regeneration and care.
Vito Selma, whose design philosophy is rooted in nature, reimagines the vase as a sculptural statement in Ploreras. Crafted from recycled Yellow Pages and upcycled plastic flowers made by students from Nicanor Garcia Sr. Elementary School, each bloom bears the name of its young maker.
Selma’s Hinabing Tabing, featuring abaca weaving in black, serves as the dramatic backdrop for printed artworks by New and Heussaff — created using 200 upcycled OFF! sachets.
Meanwhile, Solenn Heussaff contributes two powerful pieces. Her Birds of Freedom captures the delicate balance between survival and protection, using upcycled paper flowers crafted by artisans from the Kasilawan Cooperative in Makati. Her other work, Second Life, symbolizes the sustainable cycle of creation and renewal at the heart of a circular economy.
For the exhibition’s grand collaborative centerpiece, the three artists joined forces for Vinta—a reimagined version of the traditional boat as a futuristic vessel inspired by Palawan’s fishing communities. Constructed from woven bamboo, plastic bottles, and repurposed OFF! containers, the artwork embodies resilience, unity, and hope. Heussaff’s protective plant motifs, Selma’s monumental recycled flowers, and New’s unifying sculptural vision come together as a symbol of collective strength and a brighter future for all.
Bid for a brighter future
With the launch of the exhibit, the official website for the Protegeri, https://protegeri.astbury.club/, opened for auction. It featured all the artworks that can be viewed in the exhibit or online. Interested bidders could scan the QR code on the artwork or in the online catalogue and log in to start bidding. Every bid on a piece unlocks educational opportunities and the potential of children. Supporting the Protegeri exhibit helps safeguard the children’s future from waste and wasted potential, ensuring they have the resources to thrive. Your support today makes a difference tomorrow.
