Tondo and Bulacan

For the past several months, CANVAS has been working with National Artist Benedicto "BenCab" Cabrera. Considered by many as a national treasure, BenCab's works are coveted by collectors in the Philippines and abroad. It has been said that he "is arguably the best-selling painter of his generation of Filipino artists."

CANVAS and BenCab collaborated to produce and publish the BenCab Activity Book for Children. Using some of BenCab's artworks as inspirations for activities especially designed to engage children ages 6-10 years old, the book touches on various themes like family, climate change, heroism, workers and the Filipino identity.

Launched in late September, among the first to receive their very own copies of this unique book were the children of urban poor communities in Tondo, Manila and Batia, Bulacan. Working with Project PEARLS (Peace, Education, Aspiration, Respect, Love and Smiles), a local nonprofit working focused on education, nutrition, economic and community development, and working to help children get out of poverty, 1000 copies of the BenCab Activity Book for Children were given away.

According to Project PEARLS, the book was a big hit with the children. “Ang galing ni BenCab mag-painting! (BenCab is so good in painting!)," one of the kids told us as he scanned the book he was holding. “Sana maging katulad din niya ako. (I hope to be like him someday.)” 

Twelve thousand (12,000) copies of the book are set to be given directly to children in other poor and disadvantaged communities all over the country in the coming weeks, just in time for Christmas.