ILOILO — Festive Walk Iloilo launched "Paint-A-SILYA: A Seat in Time" on September 13, 2026, at the 2F Festive Walk Mall Blade Hallway. The exhibit features the artistry of Ilonggo visual artist Althea Villanueva, honoring grandparents and the enduring bonds that connect generations.
A Celebration of Love and Legacy
The launch coincided with Grandparents Day, transforming the mall into a heartfelt gathering space. Families came together to honor the beautiful relationship between grandparents and their loved ones. The event captured moments of love, laughter, and cherished memories through art.
Villanueva's centerpiece, "Seated in Love," pays tribute to beloved Lolo and Lola. The artwork features two rocking chairs representing companionship through life's changing seasons. Gold accents honor the preciousness of being grandparents, while a field of flowers represents the abundance of memories and milestones witnessed across generations.
Meet the Artist Behind the Vision
Althea Villanueva is an Iloilo-based self-taught visual artist exploring journeys, memory, and place through watercolor, ink, acrylic, and hand lettering. A Tourism graduate and CPU Teatro Sinig Atbp. alumna, she has participated in Dasun: VIVA ExCon 2020 and exhibited with HIMBON Contemporary Ilonggo Artists.
Her portfolio includes a 2023 commission for the Philippine Embassy in Thailand and the layout design of HIMBON's 2026 Coffee Table Book. As a full-time artist, she continues to grow her creative practice through collaborations, workshops, content creation, and faith-centered art-making. Her work reflects a deep connection to Filipino identity and storytelling.
Stories Told Through Color and Craft
The exhibit invites visitors to experience Filipino stories brought to life through art, color, and craft. Each piece celebrates heritage, creativity, and the memories that bind families together. The rocking chairs serve as powerful symbols of the quiet love grandparents express through simply being present.
More than a tribute, the painted rocking chairs represent seats of love where stories are shared and generations gather. Ordinary moments become memories carried forward, celebrating a love that continues to bloom even as time moves forward. The exhibit runs until September 21, 2026.
An Invitation to Reflect and Connect
The event encourages visitors to celebrate the stories, traditions, and cherished memories that bring generations together. In a fast-paced world, the exhibit offers a moment to pause and appreciate the quiet strength of family bonds. It reminds viewers that grandparents are living archives of family history.
Festive Walk Iloilo's partnership with Villanueva elevated the celebration into a meaningful cultural experience. The collaboration demonstrates the mall's commitment to supporting local artists and promoting Filipino heritage. Visitors are invited to view the exhibit and reflect on their own family stories.
