For Earth Day, the Ateneo Art Gallery celebrates with the If Trees Could Talk International Art Biennale
In celebration of Earth Day and as part of a global conversation sparked by the If Trees Could Talk International Art Biennale, the Ateneo Art Gallery organized two events this month that put the spotlight on humanity’s inextricable connection to the natural world.
A terrarium making workshop, facilitated by Charlie and Ella Aguila on April 18, 2026, taught participants how to build their own mini ecosystems in plastic jars. Participants aged 6 years and up also learned – or had refreshers on – the scientific processes that make it possible for a terrarium to sustain life.
On April 21, 2026, the Ateneo Art Gallery held a screening of Baby Ruth Villarama’s 2025 documentary Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea. Food Delivery focuses on the challenges faced by Filipino fishermen on the West Philippine Sea as they defend themselves against the aggression of the Chinese Coast Guard.
Produced under Voyage Studios, the film was first screened in June 2025 at the DocEdge Festival in Auckland, New Zealand, where it received the Tides of Change award. This screening was supported by Arete, the Ateneo de Manila University’s School of Humanities and Dr. Rosita G. Leong School of Social Sciences.
Dr. Maitel Ladrido, executive director of Arete, welcomed audiences to the screening, inviting viewers to reflect on our shared humanity. “The film you will see today not only brings the distant Scarborough Shoal into our theater,” she said, “it also brings us face-to-face with the struggles of fishermen and the Philippine Coast Guard as they work to preserve a way of life that is very different from ours.”
The screening was followed by a talkback session with the filmmakers, including director Villarama, cinematographer Nana Buxani, and producer/editor Chuck Gutierrez.
Food Delivery was screened as part of Ateneo Art Gallery’s Moving Image Program, a presentation of film, video works, and lectures that explore moving image as a medium in contemporary art practice.
Join the conversation. Apply to be a satellite partner of the If Trees Could Talk International Art Biennale at iftreescouldtalk.art/satellite. For questions or concerns, email trees@canvas.ph
