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Filipino artists protest Pax Silica over land, labor and AI concerns

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36 minutes ago

September 7, 2026

Abi Sarabia M.

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 07, 2026

Photo courtesy: FEU Advocate

MANILA — Filipino artists have launched a protest campaign against the proposed Pax Silica development, raising concerns over its possible impact on land, natural resources, workers, indigenous communities and the creative sector.

The network Artists Unite Against Pax Silica (AUPAX) formally launched its campaign Sunday through the exhibit “ALL CAPS: Art, Land & Labor — Creatives Against Pax Silica” at Sampaguita Projects Gallery in Project 8, Quezon City.

The exhibit grew out of an online art protest and brings together visual artists, designers, writers, illustrators, photographers and cultural groups opposed to the project.

Pax Silica is a US-led initiative focused on strengthening supply chains for artificial intelligence, semiconductors, critical minerals and advanced manufacturing. In the Philippines, plans include an industrial hub covering roughly 1,600 hectares in New Clark City, Tarlac.

AUPAX co-convener Kart Mabato said the group is concerned that the project could lead to greater pressure on Philippine land and mineral resources, particularly in areas involving indigenous and local communities.

Artists involved in the campaign are also raising concerns about generative artificial intelligence.

Mabato said many creatives are worried about artworks being collected or used to train generative AI systems without the creators’ consent, citing questions involving copyright and intellectual property rights.

Multidisciplinary artist Ja Turla reflected those concerns in a mixed-media piece inspired by silica gel packaging. The work uses the material as a metaphor for what the group sees as the extraction of Philippine resources.

Organizers said the campaign also seeks to use art as a way to make discussions surrounding Pax Silica more accessible to the public.

The physical exhibition will include talks, discussions on the national and agricultural situation, and screen-printing workshops.

“ALL CAPS: Art, Land & Labor — Creatives Against Pax Silica” runs from September 6 to 11 in Quezon City.

The Philippine government has promoted the planned Pax Silica hub as a way to attract technology investment, strengthen the country’s role in global AI and semiconductor supply chains, and generate higher-value jobs.