MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Last Feb. 11 2022, the Love in the Time of Pandemic exhibit on sharing love, empathy, and hope was launched. Hosted by Asia Society Philippines and Manila House, in partnership with Fujifilm PH and FEU Publications, this project brought together two creatives and Asia Society 21 Young Leaders, collaborating to touch hearts through art.
This special exhibit features the works of Xyza Cruz Bacani, an award-winning photographer, and Quintin Pastrana, a poet and author. The artists have handpicked twelve photographs from Xyza Cruz Bacani’s collection and matched each with a poem from Quintin Pastrana’s book, Ambahan: A Love Story, a book inspired by the traditional poetry from of the Mangyans.
More than an exhibit, this collaboration aims to raise funds towards the establishment of a community library by the Library Renewal Partnership and the purchase of a much needed additional ambulance for Xyza’s hometown in Nueva Vizcaya. This came after a personal experience from Xyza when she was contracted COVID-19 that she realized how the current number of ambulances that exist in their town is not enough to service the people.
The featured photos are available to purchase in limited quantity. Together with a special kit that includes a postcard-sized photo collection printed by Fujifilm, a signed Ambahan: A Love Story published by FEU Publications, and a cocktail from Manila House.
The full lookbook of the Love in the Time of Pandemic exhibit can be viewed here.
The special exhibit will run for one month, until Mar. 11, 2022, at Manila House. It is the first installment in an international series of exhibits that will extend to New York and Hong Kong.
The Love in the Time of Pandemic exhibit celebrates small acts of kindness and charity, which together, can accomplish great feats and save lives.
Watch the opening event with a discussion between the artists about how this project came about and a special poetry reading from Quintin Pastrana’s Ambahan: A Love Story:
