The Philippines Showcases Woodcraft Works of "Espejo Ni Pinggoy" At UN80 Art4Peace Exhibition In Budapest

BUDAPEST, Hungary—The Philippine Embassy in Budapest, led by Ambassador Maria Elena Algabre, proudly took part in the launch of the UN80 – Art4Peace Exhibition, held recently at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, as part of the commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations and the 70th Anniversary of Hungary's Membership in the UN. The exhibition showcased artworks from 14 countries, including the Philippines, each offering a unique expression of peace through culture and creativity.

The exhibition, preceded by an international conference and followed by a series of panel discussions, was spearheaded by Ambassador Katalin Bogyay, President of the United Nations Association of Hungary (UNA-HU), President of the Cultural Diplomacy & The Arts Plan of Institute of Cultural Diplomacy, and Founder of Women4Diplomacy International. Her vision for Art4Peace is to champion the power of art as preventive diplomacy and a catalyst for empathy, understanding, and global harmony.

During the exhibition, the Embassy had the privilege of showcasing wood art pieces of Mr. Pinggoy Generoso of Espejo ni Pinggoy, a Filipino artist whose journey traverses visual communication, television, and now woodcraft.

The highlight from the collection of Espejo ni Pinggoy was a lamp crafted from carved wood and linen called “Dagyaw,” — a Visayan term for communal work.

Mr. Generoso often repurposes wood from old heritage homes to give it new life. He turns everyday objects like lamps and tables into meaningful pieces that reflect culture. Today, Mr. Generoso leads a team of Filipino artisans—many from his hometown of Marikina—to create pieces using local wood, reclaimed materials, and a shared sense of design and space.

With the participation of 13 other countries, including Hungary, Thailand, Japan, Ecuador, Türkiye, and Argentina, the UN80 – Art4Peace Exhibition served as a tribute to international cooperation, cultural expression, and peacebuilding through the arts. The exhibition ran from 8 until 10 October 2025 in Budapest.

(Philippine Embassy in Hungary Release)