Mural inspired by iconic fishes in Bohol, Philippines

In Handumon village on Jandayan Island, Bohol, Philippines, a new mural inspired by #iconicfishes now celebrates the marine life that has long shaped the community’s connection to conservation. 

Led by environmental educator, volunteer, and artist Mayali Geyling of Project Seahorse’s Philippines team, the Philippines Seahorse Programme, the mural was created with students from Handumon National High School in Getafe municipality, Bohol. Handumon is also home to the first seahorse sanctuary established in the Philippines through a collaboration between Project Seahorse and the local community.  

With Mayali’s guidance, students came together to brainstorm the slogan “Protect Marine Diversity, Keep Their Habitats Safe & Healthy,” and sketch a collaborative mural design, which they then digitally overlaid on the wall and recreated in paint. 

This project gave students the space to engage both creatively and educationally with conservation, taking on leadership roles to discuss the marine species depicted in the mural with intrigued locals who stopped by to watch and ask questions.  

Through this mural, we hope to inspire awe for iconic fishes while supporting conservation action on the ground. We are grateful to Mayali for leading this initiative, to our colleagues in the Philippines Seahorse Programme for supporting it, and to the students of Handumon National High School for bringing the mural to life.  

Projects like this show how conservation can begin with creativity, conversation, and a community coming together. We hope this story inspires others to create their own events, start conversations in their communities, or take part in our Inspired by #IconicFishes movement in their own unique way.   To get started, visit www.iconicfishes.art/participate