Protegeri, a Latin word meaning protection, became the theme that united three artists in a collaborative effort to support a great cause: saving the environment while helping communities prosper and thrive.
This special project was an initiative helmed by the Ayala Foundation, undertaken in partnership with OFF! for the benefit of its communities in El Nido, Palawan, and Makati City, Metro Manila, and ran from October 18, 2025, to October 25, 2025.
At the heart of this project, Solenn Heussaff, Vito Selma, and Leeroy New, each bringing their unique artistic styles to the table, worked tirelessly with communities and children. They breathed new life into discarded objects and everyday waste, leveraging salvaged wood, scrap paper, and a variety of plastics to transform them into visions of art that showcased their distinct styles.
To start with, Heussaff took each viewer to another dimension of her creativity with Mother Nature and the future of children in complete focus. For this exhibition, she created works of art that integrated abstract elements, including a driftwood sculpture and handmade flowers made from paper and plastics.
Meanwhile, Vito Selma turned heads with his incredible “Itim” Manila chair, which, for those who didn’t know, was actually made in the Philippines and had its origins dating back to the American period. For Protegeri, Vito added playful elements such as intricate plastic and paper lilies trailing from the edges of the chair.
On the other side of the exhibit, Leeroy’s sculptures, made from plastic bottles and other forms of waste, were designed to evoke the feeling of another world. They served as a powerful reminder that what we considered waste could be transformed into a new medium, which continues to be part of everyday life.
The main highlight of the preview was the large collaborative piece, inspired by art workshops in the El Nido community and constructed with upcycled OFF! products, including spray bottles and sachets. The three artists demonstrated the power of sustainability, transforming their collaboration into a talisman of protection. Other iconic pieces by Vito Selma and Leeroy New incorporated OFF! products in innovative and unexpected ways, seamlessly weaving OFF!’s story of protection into their work.
Leeroy New, Vito Selma, and Solenn Heussaff collaborated with communities and children, breathing new life into the theme of protection, which took on layered meanings. Through the support of OFF! repellents that protected young lives from diseases such as dengue and malaria, and by repurposing waste products, the exhibit promoted the guardianship of Mother Nature and the communities. Lastly, the proceeds from the exhibit supported educational initiatives for students in Ayala Foundation communities in El Nido and Makati.
“Our purpose is to build a brighter future and create a positive impact. As students were the main beneficiaries of this fundraising, they served as our inspiration, and by advocating for sustainability, we could help turn the tide and build a world where children can grow up safe and healthy,” said Paul Vincent Mercado, Senior Director of Marketing & External Relations at Ayala Foundation, Inc.
All proceeds from this project were used to support educational programs for children from the beneficiary communities of Ayala Foundation, Inc. in Makati and El Nido. The support was crucial in shaping the future of these children.
