Building dreams

Doors to memory and imagination swung wide open as Museo Pambata unveiled its revitalized Hiraya Room with the grand opening of Dwellings — a sprawling, large-scale installation by the powerhouse duo of Philippine contemporary art, Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan.

Known for their global footprint and soul-stirring narratives, the Aquilizans bring their signature brand of collective making to this space by turning the act of creation into a shared community experience.

At the very core of this artistic endeavor, the voices of children are the architects of the futures we dare to build. Dwellings stands as a luminous testament placing kids at the center of the dialogue on home and place, a move that beats in perfect synchrony with Museo Pambata’s revitalized learning mission.

This two-year presentation marks an evolution in the museum’s storied journey and a reinforcement of its dedication to creative learning and that spark of inventiveness needed today.

Part of the artists’ long-running _In-Habit (Project Another Country)_ series and was initiated in Sydney in 2010. Dwellings has taken shape in China, the Netherlands, Singapore and South Korea.

The Dwellings Workshop and invitational preview at Museo Pambata was held on 31 January with art collectors and enthusiasts, writers, artists and cultural professionals, and of course, children. The Saturday activity was one of the first activities helming the VIP Program of ArtFairPH 2026.