Last December 6, we welcomed guests, friends, art lovers, and book enthusiasts to the opening reception of the Onceupon Art Exhibition at the Art Gallery by Pinspired, The Henry Resort Dumaguete. The evening was filled with warmth, creativity, and nostalgia as visitors stepped into a world shaped by the storybooks that raised us.
From the moment the doors opened, the gallery buzzed with excitement. Families, artists, writers, and educators gathered to explore artworks inspired by the beloved children’s stories that sparked our earliest imagination.
The exhibition features 16 artists from across the Philippines, each interpreting a storybook that shaped their sense of wonder — from timeless classics to Filipino childhood favorites.
Together, they created a space where memories resurfaced, imaginations reopened, and stories felt alive once again.
A Mission Rooted in Literacy and Community
What makes Onceupon truly special is its partnership with Books on Wheels, a community-led mobile library initiative dedicated to bringing reading access to underserved children in Valencia. Their mission mirrors the heart of this exhibition: to nurture curiosity, inspire imagination, and make stories accessible to all.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Virginia Stack, founder of Books on Wheels, for attending the event and for the meaningful work she continues to lead. A portion of the exhibition’s sales will go directly to support their literacy programs — helping bring the magic of reading to more children who need it most.
A Sweet Touch of Storybook Magic
The reception wouldn’t have been complete without the delightful creations of Ando’s Ice Cream, who prepared special ice cream flavors inspired by children’s books. Their imaginative catering added a playful touch to the evening, reminding us all of the simple joys of childhood.
We were also honored by the presence of Vincent Lopez, owner of Mugna Gallery, whose visit reflects the growing support for local creativity and collaboration within Dumaguete’s art community.
Art Curation
A heartfelt thank you goes to our curator, Skye Benito, whose dual role as artist and lifelong book lover shaped the soul of this exhibition. Her vision brought together diverse styles and stories into one cohesive celebration of imagination.
Our Artists — The Storytellers of Onceupon
The exhibition would not be possible without the brilliant artists who transformed their favorite childhood stories into visual worlds:
- aDon — @_adon12
- Kat Banay — @art.katb
- Skye Benito — @sabskye
- Jenina Benitez — @jbenitezart
- Drizz — @drizz.drizzle
- Cil Flores — @cilflores
- Gretchen Villanueva-Heras — @gretchenswater
- Karatula — @ang.karatula
- Alas King — @si.alasking
- Rey Labarento — @reylabarento
- Anika Marie Loquite — @anikawithamarie
- Jascer Merced — @jascermerced
- Meream Pacayra — @peregrina_ph
- Gerabelle Rae — @gbrae.sublime
- Iris Tirambulo — @iris_ta
- Vinism — @vinism_art
Each artwork invites viewers to reconnect with the stories that shaped them — stories of courage, curiosity, friendship, and the boundless worlds found within the pages of a book. 
A Heartfelt Thank You
To everyone who celebrated the launch of Onceupon with us, thank you for making the opening night a beautiful celebration of art, stories, and imagination. Our hearts are full.
The exhibition runs December 6, 2025 to February 2, 2026, open daily from 10 AM to 8 PM at the Art Gallery by Pinspired, The Henry Resort Dumaguete.
We invite you to visit, explore, and rediscover the magic of the stories that shaped us.
