Skip to main content

Origami Pilipinas: Changing the Country one paper fold at a time


TIU theater is an artist hub located in Makati, and I was given the chance to watch Bakata: The Battle of Street Poets, a play produced by Toshihiko Uriu -  




The play was a huge success and is predicted to turn into a Philippine classic, but I am writing this article right now to highlight another story that occurred inside the TIU theater.

 A collaboration piece that helped produce the effect of the wonder called Bakata.






I noticed the glow of the lanterns and the paper cranes highlighted in the stage design, it had the flair and flamboyant but subtle effect that was needed in order to make the stage look just perfect for the story line.



 Leo R Natividad is the President and Owner of Origami Pilipinas.
 I was fortunate to meet members like  L. River Butay, Adonis dela Cruz as well as Jose Monzales and other volunteers who continue to strengthen Origami Pilipinas.







Origami Pilipinas and their Advocacy:

Origami Pilipinas, was founded out of passion. Leo R. Natividad was a SPED teacher who is well trained in providing alternative therapy for children inside the SPED curriculum. 

During the years of training as a teacher, he was able to develop his own methodology for handling children in the SPED in order to provide much needed learning and therapy.

He noticed, that the street children in his nearby vicinity could use the same techniques that were being applied inside the SPED teacher.





He got a sheet of paper, and started teaching kids anywhere, and everywhere in his daily walks in life about how to perform various Origami designs.
He started with telling the children. " Tupi tayo ng Tagak" (bird crane), he incorporated the origami workshops with story telling and has been doing this ever since.




Leo R. Natividad had to choose between a stable job at a SPED teacher, a fixed income monthly or his passion in life, and just like any other great risk takers in the world who is meant to achieve more than what is expected in life--

He chose his passion and the fruits of his labor and the advocacy and focus that he has given is finally paying off.




Two years ago, Origami hobbyists like him were able to connect with Leo and other volunteers. Japan Foundation and the Japanese Embassy were the ones responsible for giving the chance to Origami Pilipinas.

Origami hobbyists through Facebook was able to widen the opportunities that Origami Pilipinas can achieve.

Through the collaborative efforts of Origami hobbyists, they were able to get a gig in Shangri La and the rest was history.

They were even able to showcase their work in the Nihongo fiesta ( Hello Japan)  and  the group was invited to present their story telling and Origami works in various schools.

Teachers in various schools as well as principals, started learning about the value of Origami , and saw the potential of the Origami to help relax the students.



Origami helps a child focus, it also helps them calm down,  and have few minutes of mind silence. Origami is a form of art that is meditative, it also helps children develop hand and eye coordination.

 Origami can also help divert the stress just by folding- it is a perfect way to relax.

Due to the continues energy and efforts of the volunteers of Origami Pilipinas, a feeding program is also done by the group on a regular basis.

They are also able to help volunteers get much needed exposure and training in world class events like that of the opening of the Nobu Hotel. 

The official corsage that was worn by Robert De Niro during the opening of the Nobu Hotel was created by the team of Origami Pilipinas.






Origami Pilipinas will be conquering more projects and would be helping more children and volunteers in the process.



Latest project for Origami Pilipinas:



 Organic Lamps:

Ubbak ti Saba (Banana Stalk) Lampshade Collection:
Origami  Pilipinas is staying true to its name, artist and visionary Leo Natividad has released new Origami inspired lamp designs that will change the way we see lamp shade creations.





The newly released designs are made from leatherized banana paper.

 This is the first of its kind in the Philippines.

The main material used is banana stalks that have undergone a careful and meticulous process to make.

The materials for the unique lamps are first cooked, dried, and then pasted using organic as well as other environment friendly materials.
Origami folding is a concentrated and focused process; the lampshades that are being released by Origami Pilipinas are like no other.

They are expressions of meditation, focus and thought and every time you will look at them or put them into any space, they radiate energy of calm and serenity—just like the way they have been processed. 

Photo Credits:theater/Bakata/https://www.facebook.com/TIUTheater?fref=ts 

Popular posts from this blog

Know your local artist: Khervin John Gallandez : The Ilocano Artist

Khervin John Gallandez is an emerging visual artist from Ilocos. It has been a personal advocacy to share the amazing people I have met while on the road Khervin John Gallandez, is one of the many hopefuls in the local art industry— and he is definitely worth our time. He has focus and determination and young artists can learn a lot from his willingness to evolve when it comes to his craft. Q&A : At what age did you first realize that you wanted to become an artist? I started to draw at the age of 7, as far as I remember.  I draw simple houses with my cousins. My mother was a disciplinarian before, and she provides used papers for me to draw/scribble instead of me going out and playing around. When my father came back in Philippines from working abroad, he brought set of encyclopedias for me to read.  It was then the first time that I read about paintings of the old masters (e.g. Leonardo Da Vinci, Van Gogh and others) which gave me my

Why you need to visit the Bamboo Intramuros

There are very few places in Metro Manila that would make you feel relaxed and one with nature . I was fortunate enough to meet one of the legendary owners of  Bamboo Grande franchise.  Honesto Deuda aka Ka-Oni  is well loved by friends, acquaintances and people who have met him from different walks of life.  He co-owns some of the best bar and restaurants in Metro Manila. Ka Oni is known for creating inspiring and bars that have soul, spunk and spirit.  He has been conceptualizing organic looking resto bars for more than 10 years now. Ka- Oni's creations are noticeable because the resto bars that he creates are made out of love for music and the arts. His process is different, Ka Oni  creates the vision for the restaurants but does not need to put them on paper, they are directly executed from his imagination to reality.   Ka Oni was already featured in Mabuhay International Magazine for the amazing work that he has done with his surrounding commun