The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Gallery opened a new exhibition called “INI-ININ” on April 6, 2026. The show features works by the Butil Collective. It will remain on view until April 30.
The exhibit examines the lives of Generation Z. These young adults entered this life stage during the COVID-19 pandemic. The show features paintings, sculptures, and stoneware. It uses the concept of “elsewhere” to explore feelings of dislocation.
The title comes from the Filipino word “pag-inin.” This describes a state of transition.
Vernon Perez spoke during the opening. He described inin as a state “where one is no longer who they were, yet not quite who they are becoming.” He used the metaphor of rice that is not yet fully cooked. This mirrors how many young people felt during and after the pandemic.
Eleven artists contributed to the project. They include Andree Tiongson, Angelica Jacoba, Asaliah, Chesca Hernandez, and Carlos Villaluz. Galan Maigue, Georgina Pomarejos, Jea Gavina, Kalila Camilon, Rya Contreras, and Sophia Sotolomba also displayed their work.
Rya Contreras curated the exhibition. She thanked the NCCA for its help. She noted that institutional support has been “vital in providing platforms for creative expression during a time when many artists faced significant constraints.”
The artworks reflect a generation shaped by isolation. Many young people spent their formative years behind screens. The artists now work to reclaim their agency. They want to make sense of the uncertainty they faced during the lockdowns.
“INI-ININ” is now open to the public at the NCCA Gallery. It offers a glimpse into how the pandemic has impacted the lives of today’s youth.
Gen Z Art Exhibit Opens at NCCA
