{"id":178199,"date":"2024-02-26T09:15:13","date_gmt":"2024-02-26T14:15:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/?p=178199"},"modified":"2024-02-26T09:16:00","modified_gmt":"2024-02-26T14:16:00","slug":"best-buddies-in-philippines-ambassador-recognized-at-world-renowned-art-exhibit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/2024\/02\/26\/best-buddies-in-philippines-ambassador-recognized-at-world-renowned-art-exhibit\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Buddies in Philippines Ambassador Recognized at World-Renowned Art Exhibit"},"content":{"rendered":"
Bantoto, who has autism and is an Ambassador for Best Buddies in the Philippines<\/strong><\/a>, the country\u2019s branch of Best Buddies International<\/strong>, a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for friendship, employment, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), hosted a solo art exhibit, titled \u201cEnter the Dragon,\u201d<\/strong> on Feb. 10<\/strong> at Gallerie Joaquin Podium<\/strong> in Mandaluyong City<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Nina\u2019s art was displayed in the gallery from Feb. 6 – Feb. 15. Gallerie Joaquin Podium has been open since 2002, and has gained international recognition, opening locations in the Philippines and in Singapore, and being one of the first Filipino art galleries to be featured in international auction houses such as Sotheby’s, Borobudur, Masterpiece and Larasati. Lord Bantoto<\/strong>, Nina\u2019s father, understood his daughter\u2019s incredible achievement.<\/p>\n \u201cIf there’s a word that’s better than proud, this is it: super proud,\u201d Lord Bantoto said.<\/p>\n Best Buddies in the Philippines members also came to support Nina and see her exhibit.<\/p>\n \u201cBest Buddies in the Philippines is excited to support Nina in her growth as an artist,\u201d Michelle Aventajado<\/strong>, the country director for Best Buddies in the Philippines, said. \u201cHer exhibit brings us together to celebrate Chinese New Year and welcome the abundance and prosperity the Year of The Dragon encompasses.\u201d<\/p>\n Nina faced a long road to get to this point. Diagnosed with autism at three-years-old, Nina struggled with speech and social skills. What she lacked in social skills, however, she made up in artistry. At a young age, Nina learned how to draw and paint.<\/p>\n Now 27, Nina\u2019s artistic talents have been recognized in galleries around the world. Her art was first published in a Chinese magazine in 2010. From 2014-2016, she joined several exhibits with other artists with autism throughout Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Her biggest achievement game in 2017, when Nina was selected to showcase her art at the United Nations on World Autism Day. Her art was featured in the United Nations office and the Philippines consulate in New York City.<\/p>\n Bantoto\u2019s art has also diversified as she\u2019s aged. Her most recent exhibit, her second at the Gallerie Joaquin Podium, featured paintings of Chinese zodiacs. Her first exhibit at Gallerie Joaquin Podium, hosted back in 2018, featured art ranging from drawings of Disney characters to paintings of sarimanoks, mythical birds from the Philippines.<\/p>\n \u201cSometimes her drawings are copies of what she has seen,\u201d Lord said in an interview in 2014<\/a>. \u201cBut most of the time, they are her [version] of her favorite animated characters doing the things she loves.<\/p>\n Nina is a testament to the fact that people with IDD have incredible talents and have what it takes to be successful in their chosen craft, especially when supported by the right people.<\/p>\n To view more of Nina\u2019s art, please visit and follow her official Facebook page here<\/a>.<\/p>\n About Best Buddies<\/u><\/strong> Media Inquiries<\/u><\/strong> Best Buddies in the Philippines Ambassador Nina Bantoto, who has autism, hosted a solo art exhibit at the legendary Gallerie Joaquin Podium.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2081,"featured_media":178200,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,676,819,4485],"tags":[4631],"class_list":["post-178199","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-news-archive","category-news-front-page","category-news-sidebar","tag-best-buddies-in-the-philippines"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nBest Buddies\u00ae<\/sup> is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated\u202fto establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 3,000 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies\u2019 12 formal programs \u2014 <\/span><\/span>Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies\u00ae, Jobs, Ambassadors, Promoters, Transitions, Inclusive Living <\/span><\/span>and <\/span><\/span>Eunie\u2019s Buddies<\/span><\/span><\/em>\u2014 engage participants in<\/span><\/span>\u202f<\/span><\/span>each of the 50 states and in 45<\/span><\/span>\u202f<\/span><\/span>countries, positively <\/span>impacting<\/span> the lives of <\/span>nearly one<\/span> million people with and without disabilities around the world.<\/span><\/span> In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit bestbuddies.org or connect with us via Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a> or Twitter<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
\nBest Buddies International<\/strong>
\nNicole Maddox<\/strong>
\nVice President, Communications
\nNicoleMaddox@Bestbuddies.org<\/a><\/p>\n<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"