ILOILO — Festive Walk Iloilo will host the launch of "Paint My SILYA: A Seat in Time" on September 13, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the Blade Hallway on the second floor. The event celebrates heritage, creativity, and the cherished memories that bind generations together.
A Tribute to Lolo and Lola
The centerpiece of the launch is "Seated in Love," a painted rocking chair installation by Ilolio-based visual artist Althea Villanueva. The artwork serves as a heartfelt tribute to beloved grandparents, honoring the quiet love they express through growing old together and witnessing generations unfold.
Villanueva explains that the two rocking chairs represent companionship through life's changing seasons. Gold accents honor the preciousness of being grandparents, while a field of flowers symbolizes the abundance of memories and milestones they have witnessed. The piece celebrates a love that continues to bloom even as time moves forward.
Meet the Artist Behind the Work
Althea Villanueva is a self-taught visual artist who explores journeys, memory, and place through watercolor, ink, acrylic, and hand lettering. A Tourism graduate and CPU Teatro Sining alumnus, 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.
A Joint Project for a Worthy Cause
Paint-A-S.I.L.Y.A. is a joint project of ARTISTSHOP and Festive Walk Iloilo for S.I.L.Y.A., an initiative that elevates the care of the elderly through the rocking chair as an art form. The project transforms ordinary seats into meaningful canvases that tell stories of family, tradition, and love.
By merging art with advocacy, the initiative shines a spotlight on the needs and contributions of senior citizens. It encourages the community to appreciate the wisdom and warmth that elders bring to every family. The rocking chair becomes a symbol of comfort, reflection, and the enduring bonds between generations.
An Invitation to Celebrate Heritage
The launch invites the public to experience Filipino stories brought to life through art, color, and craft. Visitors can view the painted rocking chairs and reflect on their own family memories. The event is free and open to all who wish to celebrate heritage and creativity.
Organizers hope the exhibit will inspire conversations about aging, care, and the importance of honoring those who came before us. Through art, the project bridges generations and creates a shared space for storytelling and appreciation. It is a gentle reminder that love, like art, endures across time.
