Embedded Files
Recognitions, Awards, Contests, and AffiliationsExplore the key milestones in IJWBAA’s journey as a digital artist. This page highlights the prestigious awards he has won, the recognitions he has earned, and the contests he has triumphed in. From major art competitions to features by renowned museums and galleries, discover how IJWBAA’s work has been celebrated globally. Additionally, learn about his professional affiliations with prominent art institutions, showcasing his impact and influence within the digital art world.
RecognitionsThe "I Just Wannabe an Artist" books 1 & 2 by IJWBAA have been recognized, officially archived, cataloged, and made available in the collections of several prominent institutions worldwide, including:
InstitutionsGetty Research Institute - Los Angeles, USA | Nov 19, 2024 - ID/Accession 3442-642-640 & OCLC 1479203246Cultural Center of the Philippines - Manila, Philippines | Nov 22, 2024
MuseumsUffizi Gallery - Florence, Italy | Dec 27, 2024 - WorldCat OCLC 1530632939 (Book 1) and 1530636063 (Book 2)Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía - Madrid, Spain | May 27, 2024Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MACM) - Quebec, Canada | May 22, 2024Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo - Tokyo, Japan | April 17, 2024National Museum of the Philippines - Manila, Philippines | March 18, 2024 - Call Number FIL N 7433.8 I39 2024 bk.1 & FIL N 7433.8 I39 2024 bk.2
LibrariesLibrary of Congress - Washington DC, USA | March 12, 2024 - LCCN 2025377419British Library - London, United Kingdom | March 4, 2024Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Library of Alexandria) - Egypt, Africa | March 17, 2024National Library and Archives UAE - Middle East | Dec 4, 2024National Library Board (Southeast Asia Collection) - Singapore | September 2, 2024 - OCLC 1479203246National Library of the Philippines - Manila, Philippines | Feb 12, 2024 - LC Class No:N7433.8Asia Art Archive - Hong Kong, China | March 13, 2024
SchoolsRoyal College of Art - London, United Kingdom | November 15, 2024Tokyo University of the Arts - Tokyo, Japan | November 15, 2024University of the Philippines, Diliman - Manila, Philippines | November 21, 2024
InstitutionsGetty Research Institute - Los Angeles, USA | Nov 19, 2024 - ID/Accession 3442-642-640 & OCLC 1479203246Cultural Center of the Philippines - Manila, Philippines | Nov 22, 2024
MuseumsUffizi Gallery - Florence, Italy | Dec 27, 2024 - WorldCat OCLC 1530632939 (Book 1) and 1530636063 (Book 2)Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía - Madrid, Spain | May 27, 2024Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MACM) - Quebec, Canada | May 22, 2024Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo - Tokyo, Japan | April 17, 2024National Museum of the Philippines - Manila, Philippines | March 18, 2024 - Call Number FIL N 7433.8 I39 2024 bk.1 & FIL N 7433.8 I39 2024 bk.2
LibrariesLibrary of Congress - Washington DC, USA | March 12, 2024 - LCCN 2025377419British Library - London, United Kingdom | March 4, 2024Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Library of Alexandria) - Egypt, Africa | March 17, 2024National Library and Archives UAE - Middle East | Dec 4, 2024National Library Board (Southeast Asia Collection) - Singapore | September 2, 2024 - OCLC 1479203246National Library of the Philippines - Manila, Philippines | Feb 12, 2024 - LC Class No:N7433.8Asia Art Archive - Hong Kong, China | March 13, 2024
SchoolsRoyal College of Art - London, United Kingdom | November 15, 2024Tokyo University of the Arts - Tokyo, Japan | November 15, 2024University of the Philippines, Diliman - Manila, Philippines | November 21, 2024
Art MovementsTitle: Decolonial MinimalismLocation: PhilippinesFounded by: IJWBAA aka Paul 'Pao' HafallaDate Founded: May 21, 2025
Title: TechpressionismLocation: New York, USADate Recognized: September 10, 2024Note: IJWBAA is the first Filipino artist to be recognized in the groundbreaking Techspressionism movement, an innovative artistic genre that merges digital technology with emotional expression. Known for his unique approach to blending traditional Filipino artistry with modern digital tools, IJWBAA’s work explores themes of identity, culture, and the intersection of humanity with technology. His recognition in this avant-garde movement highlights not only his individual talent but also the growing influence of Filipino artists on the global digital art scene. Through his thought-provoking pieces, IJWBAA challenges conventional boundaries, capturing the rawness of human emotion in a rapidly advancing technological world.
Title: TechpressionismLocation: New York, USADate Recognized: September 10, 2024Note: IJWBAA is the first Filipino artist to be recognized in the groundbreaking Techspressionism movement, an innovative artistic genre that merges digital technology with emotional expression. Known for his unique approach to blending traditional Filipino artistry with modern digital tools, IJWBAA’s work explores themes of identity, culture, and the intersection of humanity with technology. His recognition in this avant-garde movement highlights not only his individual talent but also the growing influence of Filipino artists on the global digital art scene. Through his thought-provoking pieces, IJWBAA challenges conventional boundaries, capturing the rawness of human emotion in a rapidly advancing technological world.
Awards and ContestsNominee, Top 100 Filipinos on LinkedIn, Sunnyvale California USA | Sep 18, 2024Nominee, NFT Design Awards, Como Italy | Sep 2, 2024Participant, UTGP 2024 - Discoveries of the Louvre, Louvre Museum and Uniqlo, Paris France - Family | Sep 24, 2023Finalist, Fight 14, ArtsFighters, Milan Italy - Pirate | Dec 26, 20222nd Place, World Children's Day (unofficial), Paris France - Children of Meta | Nov 20, 2022
Type: ContestTitle: 12th Hii Illustration International AwardsOrganizer: HiibrandLocation: Nanjing, ChinaDates Submitted: March 10 and 15, 2025Status: IJWBAA’s "Family" has been selected as "shortlisted" for the 12th Hiii Illustration International Awards (2024), with only 94 entries shortlisted from a total of 4,680 submissions spanning 60 countries
Artist's Entry PieceTitles: Family and SarimanokMedia: digital artDescription: IJWBAA's "Family" uses minimalist shapes and bold colors to represent the roles and values of a Filipino family. The father symbolizes strength and wisdom, the mother nurturing and elegance, while the children embody continuity and joy. In another work, the abstract Sarimanok reimagines the mythical bird with vibrant colors and geometric forms, blending tradition with modern aesthetics. Both pieces celebrate Filipino culture through striking, minimalist designs.
Artist's Entry PieceTitles: Family and SarimanokMedia: digital artDescription: IJWBAA's "Family" uses minimalist shapes and bold colors to represent the roles and values of a Filipino family. The father symbolizes strength and wisdom, the mother nurturing and elegance, while the children embody continuity and joy. In another work, the abstract Sarimanok reimagines the mythical bird with vibrant colors and geometric forms, blending tradition with modern aesthetics. Both pieces celebrate Filipino culture through striking, minimalist designs.
Type: ContestTitle: 2026 Booooooom Illustrator AwardsOrganizer: BOOOOOOOMLocation: Vancouver, CanadaDates Submitted: October 12, 2026Status: To be announced
Artist's Entry PieceTitle: ManananggalMedia: digital artDescription: IJWBAA’s Manananggal artwork uses simple geometric shapes to practice decolonial minimalism—stripping away dramatic Western horror clichés and Spanish colonial myths that once painted the creature as purely evil. By reducing its signature split body to a clean, modern design, the art strips back centuries of foreign influence to honor the monster's original roots in pre-colonial Filipino folklore. In doing so, it proves that traditional stories can enter the modern digital world while reclaiming their true cultural meaning.
Artist's Entry PieceTitle: ManananggalMedia: digital artDescription: IJWBAA’s Manananggal artwork uses simple geometric shapes to practice decolonial minimalism—stripping away dramatic Western horror clichés and Spanish colonial myths that once painted the creature as purely evil. By reducing its signature split body to a clean, modern design, the art strips back centuries of foreign influence to honor the monster's original roots in pre-colonial Filipino folklore. In doing so, it proves that traditional stories can enter the modern digital world while reclaiming their true cultural meaning.
Affiliations
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse