1 of 2

PALM WEAVING, or puni, was once a dying art. For Jonnah Garcia, founder of the social enterprise Punique Handicrafts, the purpose of weaving or braiding leaves easily goes beyond palaspas, the palm fronds used by worshippers in Catholic churches during Palm Sunday.

“Our mission is to revive it through accessories, flower arrangements, and home decor,” she said.

Since palaspas are only used once a year, Ms. Garcia got the idea to transform the art into a business that provides sustainable livelihood to local women weavers in Malolos, Bulacan. They now supply puni decorations to hotels in Boracay, Canada, and Hong Kong.

At the Ascott Makati, this art form is now on display through an exhibit, Likha: Ceramics and Puni, which places the woven works in vases crafted by Philippine ceramics pioneers Jon and Tessy Pettyjohn.

“We potters like to make these ceramics and vases, but we don’t often get to see people use them. Through this, it’s nice to finally see how they’re being used,” Mr. Pettyjohn told BusinessWorld at the sidelines of the exhibit opening.

The exhibit features many of the couple’s ceramic works over the past 10 years, made at the Pettyjohn Pottery in Laguna, paired with puni flower arrangements created by Puni de Malolos artisans.

Because the Pettyjohns’ works have a sculptural quality while also maintaining functionality, visitors can clearly visualize through the puni how the vases would appear in their own homes.

“Our goal is to bridge art and function, to blur the line between. Flower arranging vessels are perfect for this kind of experimentation,” said Mr. Pettyjohn.

The difference between his and his wife’s works is also evident, he said — his being simpler and more austere, with natural colors, whereas Mrs. Pettyjohn’s are more dynamic and colorful.

Meanwhile, because puni is only formally taught in Malolos, Bulacan, social enterprise Punique Handicrafts and artisan collective Puni de Malolos are well-equipped to showcase the best of the art form.

“It was once limited to palaspas, food containers, and toys. Now, puni can be found in fashion accessories and even bridal bouquets,” Ms. Garcia said.

The Likha exhibit offers a glimpse into how puni can be made into handmade flowers and leaf and bead accents, put together by Punique’s senior designer Henry De Guzman.

Puni de Malolos is also collaborating with the Ascott Makati hotel staff to make puni art more visible within the property even after the exhibit ends. A puni training session, led by Puni de Malolos tourism officer Marichelle Bernardo, was held for the hotel’s housekeeping department.

Likha: Ceramics and Puni is on display until June 29 at Ascott Makati’s lobby. Select pieces by Jon and Tessy Pettyjohn, as well as floral bouquets by Punique Handicrafts, are available for purchase. — Brontë H. Lacsamana

1 of 2

FOR THE PAST 20 years, the Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development (CANVAS) has been promoting literacy and exploring national identity among children through art exhibits and children’s books, commissioning various acclaimed Filipino artists and writers.

Elias and His Trees, CANVAS’ first book, written by Augie Rivera and illustrated by Romeo Forbes, was published in 2005. To date, the organization has published over 50 books covering a variety of themes — children’s rights, the environment, democracy, friendship, family, and grief.

Starting June 14, CANVAS is holding the benefit art exhibit CANVAS: 20 Years of Art and Stories for its 20^th anniversary. It is currently open to the public on the fourth floor of the National Museum for Fine Arts in Manila. The exhibit will run for a year.

“We cling to the hope and possibility that somewhere down the line, one of the books that we publish, one of the artworks that we show, or one of ideas that we share, will trigger the imagination of one child who will then be moved to change the world for the better,” said CANVAS Founder and Executive Director Gigo Alampay at the exhibit preview in May.

Some notable titles include the award-winning Hanapin Ang Sagot: Ano Ang Batas Militar?, Karapat Dapat, and I Like Wearing Rainbows. Other books, such as Nadia and the Blue Stars and Silim, Prinsesa ng Dilim, have been adapted into stage plays and musicals.

CANVAS has worked with prominent figures in Philippine literature to author and translate books, including Vim Nadera, Cyan Abad-Jugo, and Butch Dalisay. Talents in the visual arts who have shared their gifts with CANVAS include National Artist Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera, Daniel dela Cruz, Renato Barja, Jonathan Madeja, Mark Justiniani, Joy Mallari, Leeroy New, Elmer Borlongan, Lito Mondejar, Renz Baluyot, Liza Flores, and Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK), to name a few.

THE EXHIBIT
CANVAS: 20 Years of Art and Stories is a colorful yet compact summary of the art and literature representing the various advocacies it has promoted in the past. The climate change section in the exhibit has interactive elements, including a drawing table and a matching game to foster appreciation for nature. The “safe space” area teaches about internet safety, while the “karapat dapat” section talks about children’s rights in a corner filled with pillows and mats.

At the heart of the exhibition hall is “Read. Imagine. Create.” where visitors can read, play, and rest. There will be workshops and activities on storytelling, poetry writing, story writing, illustration and art appreciation, and upcycling scheduled throughout the year.

For parents and educators, there will be talks on topics such as explaining Martial Law to children and ensuring internet safety for the family. The complete schedule and registration details will be posted on CANVAS’ social media accounts.

“The show includes several interactive elements designed to engage young visitors. Some sections feature archways that children can go through, inviting them to explore at their own pace,” said CANVAS curator and visual artist Jaime Pacena II.

As for the selection of artworks and books on display, Mr. Alampay explained that the exhibit aims to show “a collective portrait of the values, stories, and creative energies that have shaped CANVAS over the past 20 years.”

Aside from the paintings-turned-storybooks that have been commissioned by the non-profit in the past, long-time collaborators like Daniel dela Cruz and Renato Borja, Jr. created large-scale sculptures just for the exhibit.

“To complete this experience, we partnered with Arkisens, a collective of artist-architects, whose contribution helped translate the curatorial vision into a tangible, spatial encounter,” said Mr. Alampay.

MUSEUM, BOOK PROGRAMS
Mr. Pacena added that the exhibit, with its rounded wooden corners and exploratory maze-like structure, hopes to serve as a blueprint for the soon-to-open Tumba-Tumba Children’s Museum of Philippine Art in Ibaan, Batangas, where everything on display at the National Museum, plus those still to come, will find a permanent home.

Situated on a 15,000-square-meter piece of land, Tumba-Tumba is currently open only for special events or by appointment.

At the moment, there are five installations at the Tumba-Tumba museum: Elmer Borlongan and Lito Mondejar’s Tree Huggers; Leeroy New’s first permanent structure, I Am the Explorer that takes the form of a spaceship; Don Bryan Bunag’s Lilim; Cian Dayrit’s The Anti-Monument (The Weight of Words); and John Santos and Pam Yan Santos’ Not A Mirage.

The dream project of having a permanent structure to house art for children and families to visit and see is in the process of being funded through collaborations and sponsorships, according to Mr. Alampay.

In the meantime, CANVAS has its “One Million Books for One Million Filipino Children” campaign, wherein the non-profit donates its books to children in public schools and underserved communities across the Philippines. The books are also available for free download from the CANVAS website.

CANVAS: 20 Years of Art and Stories is on view at Galleries 25 and 26 on the fourth floor of the National Museum of Fine Arts until June 2026. — Brontë H. Lacsamana

MULTI-TALENTED theater and film actor Victor D. Laurel, known by most as Cocoy Laurel, passed away on June 14. He was 72 years old.

Mr. Laurel was born on March 2, 1953, to acclaimed stage actress, painter, and set and costume designer Celia Diaz Laurel and former Vice-President Salvador “Doy” Laurel. He was the third of their eight children.

His career saw him appear in numerous plays, musicals, and films over the decades. One of the most notable of his films was Lollipops and Roses (1971) where he was the love team co-star of National Artist for Film Nora Aunor. The duo came out in several more films, including Impossible Dream and Annie Batumbakal.

He was discovered at 15 years of age, on a Paramount Pictures contest searching for the “Romeo and Juliet of the Philippines,” which served as a promo for Franco Zeferelli’s Romeo and Juliet in 1968. He studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and Juilliard School in New York and The Facultad de Bellas Artes in Madrid.

Much of the theater work he did was with Repertory Philippines, alongside his mother who was a longtime member. Among the highlights in his theatrical career were productions of Pippin, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, The King and I, West Side Story, Camelot, Evita, and The Elephant Man. He also appeared in various international productions of Miss Saigon, culminating in his taking on the role of Engineer in the Australian production.

Mr. Laurel’s family announced his death through a post on the Celia Diaz Laurel Facebook page and reposted on that of the Salvador H. Laurel Museum and Library.

“It is with deep affection and grateful faith that we entrust our dear brother, Victor, into the hands of our almighty Lord, God, Creator, and Savior. He worshipped God and praised Him through his music and artistry and blessed others so generously,” the statement said.

“Rest in peace, beloved brother, mentor, maestro, and friend. We are incredibly grateful for you. Thank you for all you’ve done for us. You will always have a special place in our hearts.”

His niece, actress Denise Laurel, posted her own tribute on Instagram, describing him as “a beloved uncle, mentor and confidant” as well as “a gifted actor, singer, and man that lived for God.”

Cocoy Laurel was last seen in public in April when he visited the wake of Ms. Aunor. There, he turned over a life-size painting of the actress that he had made to her daughter, Lotlot de Leon. He was an avid portrait painter.

He is survived by his siblings Lynnie, David, Larry, and Iwi. The wake is being held at the Heritage Park in Taguig until June 19. — Brontë H. Lacsamana