As a kid growing up in Mindanao, my friends and I were fond of using leaves to make our own toys. We often turned them into pinwheels or pretended that they were paper.

Using Badjang leaves as a painting surface, I recall my own childhood and resurface memories that serve as the subject of my reflections. I was reminded of the missed opportunities, abandoned pursuits, and limiting restrictions in my life, as well as the accompanying regrets. Those regrets informed the ideas for my work on this project.

Encounters with people who express their own stories of what-ifs and could-have-beens are not uncommon. I wonder about how their lives might have been different had they been able to pursue their own passions. If you were to look closely at my paintings, you will see Bisaya phrases inscribed beside the images in the artworks. These are words I hear from people who were not able to chase after their own aspirations.

My works for this project were also done spontaneously and without a sketch plan. Part of the reason why is because I want to enjoy the painting process, and unlock other possibilities as the work begins to take form.