Bayong Painting Workshop

Usapang Kabayan Episode: Discovering the Artist in You

“If you could say it in words, there would be no reason to paint.” mused Edward Hopper.

“We could not describe the beauty of a rose, and so we all painted roses on bags. So we could also take the beauty of it wherever we go.” pondered a budding painter.   

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association Singapore (UPAAS) in collaboration with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Singapore (OWWA Singapore) successfully held a Bayong Painting Workshop on 28 September 2022 for Filipino Domestic Workers in Singapore.

Ms Precious Nakpil-Lai, a Singapore-based artist and a UPAAS member, facilitated the workshop.

It was a unique bonding activity that combined learning, creativity and appreciation for the bayong (handwoven bag).  Everyone got acquainted with the tools of painting – brushes, paints, canvas; learned about colours from primaries to tertiaries; and experienced mixing colours to create different hues, depth and shades.

Participants had the opportunity to unleash their creativity and surprised us with their own intricate rendition of the roses. Those at home gamely showed us their artwork and even had family members helping out.

As a way to reach out to more kababayans, the workshop was broadcasted via Facebook Live, which generated more than 1,400 views. If you are interested to get started on this craft, you can view the workshop in OWWA Singapore Facebook.

Thank you to UPAAS Volunteers and OWWA Singapore for continuing to support meaningful projects to uplift our fellow kababayans.