The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF), in partnership with the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), has brought the acclaimed exhibit titled “Alon” to the Ramon Magsaysay Center in Malate, Manila.

Focused on the issue of plastic waste in the oceans, and with surfers as a central theme, “Alon” is the RMAF’s first foray into large-scale art exhibitions and underscores its evolving role as a space for art, culture, and social advocacy.

RMAF president Susan Afan described the Ramon Magsaysay Center as “more than an iconic building—it is a hub for inspiration, hope, and engagement.” 

“By opening our doors to these kinds of installations that spark awareness and participation, we are turning important messages into lived experiences,” Afan said. “With our close proximity to the picturesque Manila Bay and our continuing support to environmental issues, it is natural for us to kick off the Ramon Magsaysay Center’s evolution as a public space with ‘Alon.’”

Originally mounted by DLS-CSB’s Center for Campus Art in 2019, “Alon” features surfers from six surfing camps nationwide, holding in their hands the scourge of beaches, rivers, and oceans—plastic waste.

DLS-CSB president and RMAF trustee Bro. Edmundo Fernandez, FSC emphasized the importance of bringing art into public spaces. “We welcome this partnership as it reflects both [our institutions’] common mission to use creativity in the service of humanity,” he said, adding:

“Art thrives when it provokes reflection and empathy. The Ramon Magsaysay Center is a remarkable canvas for ‘Alon’ because it is open, visible, and accessible—a place where art meets the everyday passerby and reminds us of our shared responsibility to care for the world.” 

The exhibit is free and open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to explore the installations and take part in the ongoing dialogue on environmental stewardship.

“Alon” also sets the stage for the Ramon Magsaysay Awards Festival Week, which features the lectures of the 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees on Nov. 4–6, leading up to the 67th RM Awards presentation ceremonies on Nov. 7 at The Metropolitan Theater, Manila. 

All the events will be livestreamed on the RMAF’s official Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/MagsaysayAward/) and YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/MagsaysayAward).