Driven by the passion to let future generations witness the beauty of the Philippines, the Department of Tourism (DOT) unveiled a series of murals that featured not only breathtaking tourist sites across the country but also its rich natural wonders.
From July to October 2024, DOT’s regional offices led their respective celebrations of “Love Inspired: The Philippines, a Canvas of Biodiversity” in 16 locations, all popular tourist destinations.
The events, also called Love Biodiversity Day 2024, highlighted the launch of murals made by local artists and activities that raised the awareness of tourism stakeholders and local communities about taking care of the environment.
Among the tourist spots that joined the event was the world-famous beach and dive destination Boracay, which takes pride in its powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Made by Lito Panganiban and Japs Avelino of Island Artists Boracay, their mural showed the island’s various attractions like the sandcastle, the Boracay Keyhole, Willy’s Rock, and the paraw sailboat, as well as the island’s wetland and marine residents like the sea turtle and clownfish.
“This vibrant mural showcases the region’s lush flora and fauna, majestic landscapes, and vital marine environments, serving as a poignant reminder of our unique biodiversity,” according to the DOT’s Region 6 or Western Visayas office.
Aside from being an award-winning destination including Asia’s Leading Luxury Island Destination in the World Travel Awards 2024, Boracay is “home to numerous native species of trees such as Narra, Ipil, Kubi, Antipolo, Isis, Sakat, Balakat, Katmon, and Bakawan Dagat,” as well as “344 bird species (both native and migratory), 55 reptile species, around 39 bat species, 51 frog species, and 25 species of medium and large-sized mammals, all adding to the rich and vibrant marine life of the area,” said DOT-Region 6 Director Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez.
The emerging tourism and events hub Clark in the province of Pampanga, also known as the culinary capital of the Philippines, participated in the mural reveal.
The mural created by artists from Placid Studio “honors the region’s biodiversity, featuring the pawikan of Morong, Bataan, mole cricket (kamaru) of Pampanga, Acacia trees and crows of Clark, the Aeta community, Mount Pinatubo, and the waterfalls of Aurora,” according to information from the Tourism Promotions Division of the Clark Development Corporation.
It also carried the DOT’s tourism slogan “Love the Philippines.”
Meanwhile, Tacloban City in Leyte province – which was among the areas leveled to the ground by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013 – also hosted a mural for Love Biodiversity Day 2024.
Located along the scenic Magsaysay Boulevard, which faces Cancanato Bay, local artists Kim Clinton Gonzales and Andrew Abainza finished the majority of the mural, which was later on finished by local and national government officials and other guests by painting more elements during the launch itself.
The mural “featured various protected landscapes and seascapes, including Biri Larosa, Calbayog-Pan-As Hayiban, Samar Island Natural Park, Guiuan, as well as the San Juanico Bridge, Mt. Naliwatan, Lake Danao, Mahagnao Volcano, Cuatro Islas, and Sogod Bay,” said a report from the Philippine Information Agency.
DOT Assistant Secretary for Branding and Marketing Communications Gissela Marie Quisubming even called the artwork “a visual road trip to Eastern Visayas.”
In Mindanao, the culture-rich regions of Davao and the SOCCSKSARGEN area hosted two murals that showed the island’s diverse flora and fauna, including the Philippine eagle.
The 18-meter Love Biodiversity Day 2024 mural in Region 11 can be found inside the Mt. Hamiguitan Natural Science Museum, and made by members of the Kwadro-Uni Arts and Outdoors Club of the Davao Oriental State University, according to the DOT’s Davao Region. It shows the panoramic view of Mt. Hamiguitan, seemingly being guarded by a Philippine eagle on top.
“The mural depicts the diverse flora and fauna of Mt. Hamiguitan. It also serves as a testament to Davao Region’s commitment to continuing its efforts to preserve and cultivate its rich biodiversity,” it said.
Meanwhile, the 50-meter portion of the Surallah-Lake Sebu Road in South Cotabato was transformed into a canvas by members of the Kudlit South Cotabato and Ko’Gon Visual Artists of Koronadal, which “showcases the breathtaking biodiversity of South Cotabato and the natural wonders of Lake Sebu, reminding us of the importance of protecting these treasures,” said the DOT’s SOCCSKSARGEN office.
Aside from the inauguration of Love Biodiversity Day 2024 murals, select DOT regional offices also held activities engaging both officials and stakeholders to become more involved in preservation and sustainable tourism.
In Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte, where the mural for Region 9 or Zamboanga Peninsula was unveiled, guests took part in the coastal cleanup along Dipolog City Boulevard.
Officials and tourism stakeholders also planted more than 200 seedlings of mangroves during the launch of the Love Biodiversity Day 2024 murals in the province of La Union and Iligan City, Lanao del Norte. According to CURMA, a group that advocates primarily the conservation of sea turtles and joined the launch in La Union, mangroves can help “prevent soil erosion, protect fish landing zones, enhance biodiversity, and absorb carbon. “
Guests were also taught to weave hats made of coconut leaves during the Love Biodiversity Day 2024 mural unveiling in Batanes, among the Philippines’ most breathtaking destinations.
Other “Love Biodiversity Day 2024” murals were also launched at the diving site in Anilao Batangas, in the province of Marinduque which is said to be the geographical center of the Philippines, in the “abaca capital of the Philippines” Catanduanes, in the “summer capital of the Philippines” Baguio City, in Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental known as the “center of learning in the South,” in the province of Agusan del Sur rich in natural attractions and wildlife, and in Arroceros Park that is known to be the “last lung” of Philippine capital Manila.
The DOT pointed out that its regional offices “are the number one proponents of sustainable tourism in the Philippines, along with concerted efforts from the private sector.”
Assistant Secretary Quisumbing declared that each unveiled mural “serves as a powerful reminder of our collective commitment to conservation, emphasizing that every action counts in preserving our environment.”
“By making small changes in our daily lives—such as adopting a more sustainable lifestyle and supporting local conservation efforts—we have the power to foster positive change together,” she said.
She added the public – including tourists, officials, and other stakeholders – “can redefine tourism by making it a force for good.”
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