Creativity bloomed and compassion took center stage as art, nature, and advocacy came together once again at “Hayop at Halaman 2025” by Patrons of the Arts, held from April 12 to 13 for its second year at Centris Elements, Quezon City. The two-day event featured artists whose works resonated with the theme—celebrating our loyal companions and personal passions, all while advocating for a purposeful cause.
“A lot of artists they always bring their pets in cons (conventions)… not just artists, but also con-goers bring their pets… we wanted to have an event to also celebrate the pets,” Ms. Janelle Isabel Malit, co-founder and event coordinator of Patrons of the Arts (PotA), shared in an interview with The Benildean.
Ms. Malit added that many artists use animals and plants as their primary subjects, creating playful crafts that express their love for their hayop and halaman. “[...] We see that there’s a market for that and we wanted to really tap into it and celebrate… pets and nature,” she said.
However, the celebration of pets and plants was not the sole focus of the event. PotA, in collaboration with advocacy partners Rural Rising Philippines, Passion Project, and Guinea Pig Shelter Philippines, arranged donation drives to help fund and support these organizations' respective causes.
Benildeans truly love green
The event’s theme resonated throughout the venue as artists proudly showcased their works. Many booths incorporated both hayop and halaman in their displays, while some focused on just one.
Among them was Williane Tobias, an ID123 AB-Multimedia Arts (AB-MMA) student, whose art revolves around Littlest Pet Shop (LPS)—evoking nostalgia and a sense of familiarity for many attendees.
As a first-time exhibitor at PotA, Tobias shared, “I really like the reactions people get when they see your art… a lot of people liked that our booth was one of the only ones that sold LPS, so many of them had a throwback. Even if they don’t buy, the expressions of being nostalgic… and seeing something that brings them joy—that’s one of the best moments of PotA.”
In contrast, Ms. Shaniqua Kalaw, an ID118 AB-Production Design (AB-PRD) alumna, blends both animal and nature-inspired motifs in her work, drawing from historical art and fashion.
Her pieces captivated attendees with their rich storytelling and layered concepts. “I hope they (general passerbys) get to have a deeper appreciation for original art… if they find something interesting, especially with my historical references, I hope it inspires them to research those things on their own [as well],” she expressed.
United by passion
Many attendees, whether first-timers or regular PotA con-goers, roamed the halls of Elements, united by their shared love for plants and animals. Ms. Rozella Mariz Bagas, a first-time attendee, felt overwhelmed upon entering the venue but was quickly comforted by the well-made art and the creative outfits worn by fellow attendees, which made her feel at home. She also shared that the hayop at halaman theme deeply resonated with her values, as a Youth for Animals volunteer based in Caloocan.
Bagas was accompanied by her friend, Ms. Angeleen Rose Francia, a regular art markets attendee, who expressed in an interview with The Benildean, “[The event] is not only… bringing pets together… makikita niyo po may donation doon sa harap… they’re also doing this for the cause of other pets.”
Contentment and joy were clearly visible on the faces of attendees at Centris Elements during the two-day event. Whether it was the sight of a golden retriever or a quirky cactus, smiles formed with every corner turned—exactly the kind of heartwarming moments PotA aimed to create. Beyond bringing joy to con-goers, the event also filled the hearts of their partner organizations through the support and donations it gathered.
Notably, several Benildean students and alumni participated in the event, whether as artists, organizers, or attendees—demonstrating their creativity, compassion, and commitment to meaningful causes. Their involvement highlighted how design, art, and purpose can intersect to foster real impact in communities.
To end the interview, Malit shared a heartfelt message, “[...] Thank you for coming to Hayop at Halaman 2025. We look forward to seeing you at our next event—it will be on May 17 and 18 at Bayanihan Center, Pasig. The theme is “Magics and Mystics 2025.” We hope we can see each other there!”
For more updates, check out PotA’s Instagram, Facebook, and Carrd.
