The Philippines Brings Mindoro to Yeosu 2026: An Immersive Journey Through Island Culture, Art and Conservation

　　YEOSU, SOUTH KOREA — September 2026 — The Philippines will present Puerto Galera and Mindoro Island at the World Island Fair Yeosu Korea 2026, through an immersive exhibition combining contemporary art, Indigenous heritage, marine biodiversity, wildlife conservation and live performance。

　　Among the 30 participating islands, the Philippine pavilion takes a distinctly artistic and immersive approach, inviting visitors to experience Mindoro not simply as a destination, but as a living island where culture, biodiversity and conservation are deeply interconnected。

　　The participation continues a longstanding relationship between Yeosu and Puerto Galera, which hosted successive World Congresses of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World in 2014 and 2016. Ten years later, Yeosu invited Puerto Galera to represent Mindoro and the Philippines at the World Island Exhibition, providing approximately US$75,000 in in-kind support。

　　Art as a tool for conservation

　　Produced by D’ABOVILLE Foundation & Demo Farm, Inc. (DAF) and Puerto Galera Most Beautiful Bay, Inc. (PGMBBI)， the Philippine pavilion is curated and directed by Maïa d’Aboville, Executive Director of both organisations and Project Director & Curator of the Yeosu participation。

　　Since 2004, D’ABOVILLE Foundation has worked across Mindoro at the intersection of biodiversity conservation, Indigenous rights, sustainable agriculture and eco-cultural tourism, with a particular focus on the critically endangered Tamaraw and Mindoro’s unique ecosystems。

　　Photo credit: Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis) photo by Andrew Tilker (Re:wild) for Thriving Together with Tamaraw, 2026

　　Under its new Executive Director, DAF is increasingly using art, culture and storytelling as powerful tools for environmental education and conservation awareness — bringing environmental issues to wider audiences through exhibitions, film, photography, literature and cultural programming。

　　At Yeosu, this approach comes to life through a large suspended manta ray sculpture by Puerto Galera-based Studio Bahai Anino, large-scale underwater photography, paintings by Puerto Galera-based artists Henri Lamy and Wilfredo Legaspi Rufon, environmental films, Mangyan cultural heritage and educational materials。

　　The pavilion takes visitors from the depths of Puerto Galera’s marine ecosystems to the forests and mountains of Mindoro, where the critically endangered Tamaraw becomes a powerful symbol of the island’s conservation challenges。

　　A selection of children’s books by Lombosco Publications will also be available for visitors to read, promoting environmental education and the cultural heritage of Mindoro and Puerto Galera。

　　A project made possible through friendship

　　The organisers express particular gratitude to Andy Locsin and the Locsin family, whose support was fundamental to making the Philippine participation possible. The Locsin and d’Aboville families share a longstanding friendship and commitment to Puerto Galera and its natural heritage。

　　The organisers also extend their sincere appreciation to the World Island Fair Yeosu Organizing Committee for its professionalism, generosity, hospitality and exceptional spirit of collaboration throughout the project。

　　Island Friends Day: tradition becomes contemporary

　　On September 27–28, the Philippine presentation moves to Yeosu’s spectacular main outdoor stage for Island Friends Day。

　　Photo credit: Award-winning dance company: Daloy, created by Ea Torrado (top right) – Photography by Jyllan Bitalac

　　Shot at Espacio Creativo Escolta (@espaciocreativo.escolta)

　　Award-winning Daloy Dance Company, led by Artistic Director and choreographer Ea Torrado, will present Agos, a new live performance developed specifically for Yeosu in dialogue with Ea Torrado’s original film Bari-Bari。

　　The performance will feature choreography by Julienne Depatilo and Sebio Guevara, with the dancers performing against three enormous LED screens, including a central screen that descends to reveal the sea horizon behind the stage。

　　Rather than reproducing traditional Philippine dance as a static cultural display, Agos takes a contemporary approach, transforming ancestral movement and Filipino cultural memory into a living artistic language exploring nature, identity and environmental stewardship。

　　It is a modern Philippines — rooted in tradition, but constantly evolving。

　　From Yeosu to the next chapter

　　The Yeosu presentation is part of DAF’s wider commitment to using culture to build awareness and support for conservation。

　　On November 9, 2026, D’ABOVILLE Foundation will hold its Annual Board Meeting and Cocktail Reception at Alliance Française de Manille, bringing together partners, supporters, conservation practitioners and friends of the Foundation。

　　The evening will reveal a new and exciting Tamaraw conservation initiative and offer an opportunity to discover how to support DAF’s growing work across Mindoro。

　　The story does not end in Yeosu. Join us in protecting Mindoro’s future。