Stepping Into the Sanctuary
Walk into the Manila Clock Tower Museum right now, and you step into a space that holds much more than just art—you step into a sanctuary of history, survival, and profound resilience. Since October 1st, our exhibit, “Courage in Chaos: Narratives of Women & War,” has been open to the public. Standing in the center of it all, watching visitors engage with the space I had the privilege of shaping as Creative Director, has been one of the most humbling chapters of my creative journey.
Designing a Vessel for Truth
When I first sat down to draft the spatial floor plans and curate the artwork for this exhibition, I knew the design needed to be a vessel, not a distraction. As a multimedia designer, my instinct is often to lean into bold, stylized aesthetics or complex lighting setups. But here, the stories of the lolas needed room to breathe. Every layout choice, every curated piece, and the flow of the room itself was carefully considered to honor the dignity and the unyielding spirit of the women of Lila Pilipina. The goal wasn’t just to display art; it was to build a physical space where their truths could be felt, acknowledged, and heard.
A Personal Tribute to Resilience
This project is deeply personal to me. As a youth volunteer for Lila Pilipina, I’ve held these stories close to my heart. Just a few months ago, in July, I stood up to deliver a memorial tribute for Haruko—one of the long-time Japanese supporters who fought side-by-side with the lolas to seek justice and amplify their voices. It’s quite astounding to realize that even though she’s Japanese, she still choose to side with the women who came out, and carry the weight of their pain so much so in the hopes that her fellow Japanese citizens would sit down and listen. Carrying the weight of that loss—and the immense, towering respect I have for her and all the women who have fought for justice—directly fueled my work on this exhibit. Channeling that grief and admiration into the curation process felt like a necessary way to continue their legacy. We had to visually translate the absolute chaos of war into a towering testament of their courage.
Experience the Legacy
Seeing it all come together within the historic walls of the Manila Clock Tower Museum has been a surreal experience for me. The exhibit runs for just a few more days, officially closing on October 14th. If you haven’t had the chance to visit yet, I warmly invite you to come this week. Walk through the space, take in the art, and most importantly, listen to the quiet, powerful echoes of the stories we’ve worked so hard to preserve.
