Hundreds paint murals for West Philippine Sea 10th year arbitral ruling

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MANILA, Philippines — Over 200 murals were completed nationwide for the West Philippine Sea Mural Festival ahead of the decade anniversary of the landmark 2016 Arbitral Award.

The landmark ruling issued on July 12, 2016 was a legal victory for the Philippines. It affirmed the country's 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone and invalidated the so-called "nine-dash line" of China, which continues to reject the ruling.

The completed murals brought the ongoing issues in the West Philippine Sea to schools, public markets, military camps, community centers, municipal halls, and public spaces around Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Of the 220 murals, a hundred were selected to advance to the next stage. The artists behind the 100 murals will each receive a P30,000 cast prize and will vie for the festival P1 million grand prize, among other awards.

"As someone who has spent years painting murals in communities across the Philippines, I was deeply moved by how people embraced this project," said festival director AG Saño. "What began as a call for artworks became a shared effort involving artists, schools, local governments, and ordinary citizens."

The winning muralists represented over 40 cities, municipalities, and communities across the country. Some of the winning works were located in Barangay Pag-asa in Kalayaan, Palawaan — right in the middle of the West Philippine Sea.

It's no surprise that discussions about the contested area are on territorial disputes and geopolitics, however the murals mostly centered on themes of hope, livelihood, unity, cultural heritage, and stewardship of the sea rather than conflict.

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Sample titles include "Pangarap ng Pamamalakaya," "Alon ng Pag-asa," "Lambat ng Pag-asa," "Pamana ng Bayan," "Paninindigan ng Sambayanan," and "Atin ang Pag-asa."

Others paid tribute to fisherfolk and coastal communities. There are artists who drew inspiration from the country's maritime history, indigenous traditions, the BRP Sierra Madre, the 1734 Murillo Velarde Map, and the Philippines' lasting identity as a seafaring nation.

Festival founder and filmmaker Baby Ruth Villarama said that the West Philippine Sea was "more than a place on the map," but rather a part of our history, our livelihood, our identity, and our shared future."

"Not every Filipino will set foot in the West Philippine Sea, but every Filipino can help protect its story. Some will paint. Some will teach. Some will create. Some will simply start a conversation," she said. "We don't all have the same role, but we all have a part to play in protecting its story."

Villarama added that the festival has shown patriotism begins with caring enough to participate, "If more Filipinos walk away believing they have something meaningful to contribute, then every mural becomes a landmark not just of art, but of a nation choosing to remember, celebrate, and protect what it holds dear."

The 100 murals are eligible for the People's Choice Award, where Filipinos can begin vote for their favorite entries. Winners, including for the Grand Prize, will be announced at the finals this November.

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