March 14, 2026 — On a sunny, breezy morning in Ibaan, Batangas, Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan led the community mural painting activity at the Tumba Tumba Children's Museum as part of the "If Trees Could Talk" biennale hosted by Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development (CANVAS). Laughter filled the air and small, eager hands grabbed paints and brushes as the children visitors began to work on the mural under the watchful eyes of Ang INK and Project Barako, a fellow artist collective from Ibaan. Little by little, the last blank spots on the mural were filled in, and the artists both big and small admired their handiwork.
The mural, entitled "KaLIKHAsan," a combination of the Filipino words "kalikasan" (nature) and "likha" (to create) was designed by Leo Kempis Ang as an illustration of creativity, community, and care for the environment. "The mural presents a vibrant scene of people, plants, animals, and stories existing side by side," reads the artist statement. "Seen from a larger-than-life perspective, the figures engage in everyday acts of care—watering plants, harvesting, playing—celebrating the work of making by hand and the joy of sharing what we create. Scattered letters throughout the scene remind us that caring for the world is a shared responsibility."
Filling a 57-foot wall (17.3 meters) with one continuous mural was no easy task. Volunteers from Ang INK and Project Barako visited the site one week before, March 7-8, to bring Ang's concept to life. The hot sun did not stop Ang INK from making sure everything would be ready for the kiddos! Over two days, the illustrators carefully sketched the outlines and laid down the preliminary areas of color. The result was an eye-catching summer palette of delicious ice cream colors.
This year is the second time CANVAS has hosted the "If Trees Could Talk" biennale—the grove of mango trees punctuated by giant art installations was the perfect setting for the day's activities centered around community and climate change.
"Through imagery inspired by art, books, and storytelling, KaLIKHAsan invites the community to imagine and create a better future—one nurtured by creativity, cooperation, and care for the world we share."
- KaLIKHAsan artist statement
- KaLIKHAsan artist statement
Text by Becca Yu
This mural would not have been possible without help from Ibaan, Batangas’s Project Barako; CANVAS, who established the Tumba Tumba Children's Museum; and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
Participating Artists: Leo Kempis Ang, Liza Flores, LD Mendoza, Domz Agsaway, Jasmin Lacay, Fran Alvarez, Pergy Acuña, CJ Reynaldo, Din Aranza, Harry Monzon, Mariel Vera-Go, Jamie Bauza, Alyssa Babasa, Luce Melegrito, Nicolas Jalea, Becca Yu, Jeannelle Pita-Abad, Jem delos Reyes, Blooey Singson
With special thanks to: Gege Sugue, Kokay Maramot, Kelsy Paradeza, Dennis Abad, Julian Abad
#IfTreesCouldTalk2026 #IfTreesCouldTalkBiennale
