Legarda: PH Pavilion at Venice Biennale honors Filipino seafarers, culture

Senator Loren Legarda, principal advocate of the Philippines’ participation in the Venice Biennale, welcomed the successful opening of the Philippine Pavilion at the prestigious international art exhibition in Venice, Italy.

The Philippine Pavilion, titled Sea of Love / Dagat ng Pag-ibig, opened at the Arsenale in Venice. Curated by Mara Gladstone and featuring works by artist Jon Cuyson, the exhibition pays tribute to Filipino seafarers whose labor sustains global commerce while remaining largely unseen within the international supply chain.

Legarda emphasized that the exhibition situates the Filipino seafarer within the broader narrative of migration, labor, and national identity.

“Sea of Love/Dagat ng Pag-ibig brings this reality into focus by honoring the Filipino seafarer, an essential yet often unseen presence in the global supply chain,” Legarda said. “Through this exhibition, we recognize their contribution not only to the global economy, but also to the enduring story of the Filipino people.”

The senator likewise underscored the exhibition’s environmental dimension, noting that the Pavilion highlights the urgent responsibility to protect marine ecosystems and coastal communities.

“The sea also teaches us a deeper lesson: reciprocity. What sustains us must also be protected,” she said. “For an archipelagic nation, caring for our oceans is inseparable from caring for our communities.”

Legarda has been the principal force behind the Philippines’ sustained participation in the Venice Biennale since the country’s historic return in 2015 after a 51-year absence. Through her initiative, the Philippines reestablished its presence in what is widely regarded as one of the world’s most important platforms for contemporary art and cultural diplomacy.

“Our return to La Biennale di Venezia in 2015 marked a renewed commitment to sustaining a Philippine presence in global cultural dialogue. This Pavilion reflects that continuing effort,” Legarda said.

She added that the Philippine Pavilion demonstrates how culture can strengthen international understanding and project national identity beyond borders.

“Through culture, a nation expresses its dignity among others,” Legarda said.

The senator commended the work of curator Mara Gladstone and artist Jon Cuyson. She also acknowledged the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Philippine Arts in Venice Biennale Coordinating Committee, and the Department of Foreign Affairs for their collective effort in successfully mounting the Philippine Pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia.

Located at the Arsenale, the Philippine Pavilion is open to the public from May 9 to Nov. 22, 2026.