ClimArtivism in the Philippines
CONTENTS + SOURCES
Illustrator’s Note
P. 3 a breakdown of the zine and inspiration for its creation, along with a statement from the artist.
Climate Change in the Philippines
PP. 4-5 a brief explanation of the current state of the climate crisis in the Philippines.
• https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2023/country-chapters/philippines
• https://climate.gov.ph/public/ckfinder/userfiles/files/News%20Roundup/02_17_2023.pdf
Filipino Climate Art Activists
PP. 6-11 highlights the artworks and stories of Derek Tumala, Martha Atienza, and Leeroy New.
• LEEROY: https://www.mcadmanila.org.ph/tropical-climate-forensics/ & https://apexart.org/tumala.php
• ATIENZA: https://www.hnfoundation.com/artists/martha-atienza/adlaw-sa-mga-mananagat%2Ffisherfolks-day-2022 & http://www.marthaatienza.com/www.marthaatienza.com/home.html
• NEW: https://ateneoartgallery.com/exhibitions/leeroy-new-mebuyans-colony & http://leeroynew.com
ILLUSTRATOR’S NOTE
This zine explores climate change in the Philippines through the stories of Filipino climate art activists. The Philippines is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and these advocates amplify the voices of their communities, calling for sustainable solutions and environmental justice.
As a Filipino student and artist passionate about climate change myself, I intertwine my creative endeavors with environmental themes and seek to inspire positive change and consciousness within my community and society at large. Through my artwork and activism, I aim to foster greater appreciation and understanding of the urgent need for climate action in the Philippines and beyond.
ClimArtivisim in the Philippines highlights three amazing Filipino individuals hoping to impact change through their compelling visual narratives and artistic expressions. Follow along with the impactful information and breathtaking photos that express both the beauty and dangers of the natural world.
People in the Philippines are disproportionately impacted and increasingly facing the detrimental effects of climate change, such as extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and environmental degradation, resulting in loss of lives, damage to livelihoods, and disruption of communities.
Though the Philippines contribute little to the climate crisis, it is still one of the most vulnerable to its effects.
They are actively engaging in climate action and justice initiatives through grassroots movements, communityled projects, and advocacy efforts to call for stronger climate policies, promote sustainable practices, and demand accountability from governments and corporations to address the impacts of climate change.
“We can’t afford to wait for the system to change before we act — we are changing the system as we act,” said Niner Guiao, Filipino environmental lawyer.
Tropical Climate Futures
by Derek Tumala
"Tropical Climate Forensics" is a digital diorama that illuminates the changing climate and weather patterns in the Philippines. Tumala drew inspiration from his time at the Manila Observatory, one of the oldest meteorological observatories in Southeast Asia.
The utilization of a virtual game-like format and diorama-style framework allows this ongoing project to explore the climate crisis across different time frames.
Tumala constructs a unique classification system focused on the Philippines' tropical setting, using biomes as representations for his study.
ABOUT DEREK TUMALA
Derek Tumala is a multi-disciplinary artist that intersects art, science, and technology in his works. What interests me about him is the way he pushes public art into the foreground via installations outside. This accessibility and ability to convey shared values allows viewers to enjoy the pieces visually before delving into the more technical details. Tumula believes that modern artists play a crucial role in communicating new ideas, emphasizing the importance of widespread art visibility in realizing these transformative goals for change.
Adlaw sa mga Mananagat (Fisherfolks Day)
by Martha Atienza
"Adlaw sa mga Mananagat" encompasses three collaborative video pieces by Atienza, aimed at empowering the Bantayan residents to influence the destiny of their islands. Her home, Bantayan Island, faces challenges from commercial ventures, fishing industry impacts, and climate change. Once-vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine biodiversity now grapple for survival due to these factors.
Atienza's work demonstrates the potential of community organization, emphasizing that engaged involvement in decision-making results in the approval of resolutions that prioritize the voices of marginalized communities such as fishermen, rather than commercial interests.
ABOUT MARTHA ATIENZA
Martha Atienza is a Dutch-Filipina artist who spends her life moving between these two cultural identities. To learn more about her ancestry and hometown, she recounts stories of the ocean through her powerful use of film and video installations, which I find amazing. Atienza’s work not only sheds light on local environmental issues but also emphasizes the broader, international scope of climate change and its unequal impact on marginalized communities.
Mebuyan’s Colony
by Leeroy New
"Mebuyan’s Colony" is a large-scale, spatial construction. The name comes from Mebuyan, the goddess of death and fertility in Bagobo mythology. Her appearance is described as having breasts all over her body which mimics the appearance of the pods of New’s installation.
When creating this installation, there was an extra focus on integrating agricultural systems to grow food and using discards as viable structural material. Recycled plastic bottles were reconfigured to become transparent cladding for the pods, resembling a kind of elevated green house. Visitors are able to enter and explore the installation to see its beauty and connect their ideas.
ABOUT LEEROY NEW
Leeroy New is a driving force in the Philippine art scene, showcasing his blend of nature and science-fiction concepts across theater, fashion, film, and visual art. I appreciate how even though New grew up surrounded by traditional works of art, he departs from those conventional art boundaries to create something more unpredictable and innovative. His use of recycled materials, a medium I try to incorporate into my work, also underscores his belief that art can initiate conversations about environmental issues and solutions and promote creativity.
“It’s not just about making beautiful, individual art objects anymore. It’s about highlighting ideas that are important to us.” - Leeroy New