Leeroy’s “Kulambo” Weaves Stories on Fight vs. Malaria
Feb 20, 2020
Children from the 60s are all too familiar with the kulambo, or anti-mosquito nets, as they symbolize their parents’ efforts to keep them safe from sickness.
Today, the modest kulambo has transformed into a symbol of hope in the battle against malaria.
20th Year of Movement Against Malaria
Title: Shell’s 20th Year of Movement Against Malaria
Duration: 1:51 minutes
Description:
In celebration of the 20th year of our movement against malaria, prominent Filipino artist
Leeroy New created an art installation utilizing the humble kulambo that was used to combat the infection in the provinces of Palawan.
Shell’s 20th Year of Movement Against Malaria
[Background music]
Sound of Shell Orchestral Thematic
[Animated Sequence]
Close-up of mosquito nets’ textures
Workers building the art installation
Leeroy giving instruction to his team
Close-up of Leeroy looking at his artwork
Artist
Leeroy New
The story behind these materials is what’s important to me. The idea that these materials have actually been used to protect lives is a crucial part of the idea of the installation. To be able to present these very humble materials is the main point for me and also to transfer the information how these materials came to be, how they were used and effective in turning the tide against malaria
[Animated Sequence]
Night to day timelapse of building
Shell employees during the event
Shell PH president giving speech
[Text Display]
Goal
Zero Malaria Cases by 2030
Shell Philippines President and CEO
Cesar Romero
This year, we are celebrating 20 years of our battle against Malaria. Looking forward to making it even more successful in completely eliminating Malaria in the Philippines by 2030
[Text Display]
60 Provinces Malaria Free
18 Provinces with Zero Cases
Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc., Deputy Executive Director & Program Manager
Marvi Trudeau
We have now declared sixty provinces Malaria-free, eighteen provinces have reached zero.
we think we are in the right track
[Animated Sequence]
Ribbon cutting of the art installation
Wide shot of Shell PH employees
Close up of people listening to Precy’s speech
Volunter of Kilusan Ligtas Malaria
Precy Lombe
My entire family and I were victims of Malaria. We didn’t mind all the challenges and difficulties
that we go through when we hike up to the mountains in order to help the other Malaria victims and give help so that this mission will not stop within myself for our country to be Malaria-free.
[Animated Sequence]
Wide shot of art installation
Timelapse of people passing by the art installation
Close-up of people interacting with the art installation
Leeroy taking a look at his art installation
Artist
Leeroy New
Effective art for me has always been art that supports a certain cause and gives itself further positive effect. In this case enlighten about certain situation that are significant and crucial for the benefit of the society.
[Text Display]
Let’s continue a fight towards a #MalariaFree Philippines
[Background music plays]
Shell pecten mnemonic
[Text displays]
Shell pecten and centenary logo
Children from the 60s are all too familiar with the kulambo, or anti-mosquito nets, as they symbolize their parents’ efforts to keep them safe from sickness.
Today, the modest kulambo has transformed into a symbol of hope in the battle against malaria.
Mosquitos have been called one of the most dangerous insects in the world, spreading some of the world’s most prevalent and destructive diseases today. Malaria is one such infection, affecting tens of thousands of Filipinos, but we have since bitten back.
To celebrate the two decades of milestones that mark the fight against malaria, resulting in a 90 percent reduction of reported cases, renowned fine artist Leeroy New has created “Fortress,” an installation that creatively weaves together used kulambo or anti-mosquito nets, collected from malaria-affected places.
“It made sense to transform and bring new life to these pre-used medicated mosquito nets, originally intended to act as protective shields against disease-carrying mosquitoes, into an immersive and ethereal fortress-like structure complete with pointed spires that attempts to represent the substantial preventive effect it has made on the fight against malaria,” said New as he described his inspiration for the piece.
Commissioned by Shell Companies in the Philippines (SCiP), the artwork aims to symbolize the company’s drive to eliminate malaria. New explained that it also represents the constant struggle to maintain control over threats to humanity’s well-being, be it physical, mental, or emotional.
“Also, meandering about the floating castle is what appears to be a serpentine like form made from the same mesh material that resembles the threatening beasts from fantasy stories that always aim to invade or destroy,” said New.
The piece will be placed in front of Daiichi Properties’ The Finance Center in Bonifacio Global City until the end of April.
“This artwork is the symbol of the collaborative effort made to eliminate the malaria infection from the Philippines,” said New. “It serves as a concrete example that we can fight against this deadly infection and win.”
Through the combined effort of Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. (PSFI), the Department of Health (DOH), and local government units across the nation, malaria cases have dropped from over 50,000 in Palawan alone in 1999, to less than 5,000 in 2018.
“In the common Filipino household, the kulambo symbolizes the ultimate protection against mosquitoes,” said New as he described his inspiration for the piece. “An entire family can seek protection under the kulambo and spend the night, huddled but safe.”
Meanwhile,PSFI Executive Director Sebastian Quiñones Jr. noted the challenge in helping indigenous peoples fight malaria because their nomadic nature makes it difficult to monitor their treatment.
In order to tackle the challenging circumstances, PSFI sends regular volunteer expeditions into the mountains, and the Foundation has hired anthropologists to study the groups in order to develop non-disruptive methods for providing aid.
“At Shell, we believe in being a good neighbor, so we do not wish to disrupt their way of life,” said Quiñones. “Our goal is to promote the well-being of our communities, forge strong partnerships with various sectors, and make all of these initiatives sustainable, so that our legacy and mission will continue with our respective communities.”
The program received another grant for 2018-2020 to tackle the last four highly endemic provinces, which has made Quiñones confident that the Philippines can achieve its goal for the country to be malaria-free by 2030. These are the provinces of Palawan, Sulu, Occidental Mindoro and Sultan Kudarat.
For the last 105 years of its operations in the country, Pilipinas Shell, with the Department of Health, has remained committed to helping not just the communities that it serves, but all communities throughout the nation. By combating dangerous diseases such as malaria, the company aims to make the future safer for all Filipinos.

(L-R) Shell Philippines President and CEO Cesar Romero, PSFI Director Cesar Buenaventura, PSFI Executive Director Sebastian Quiñones Jr, Palawan Vice Governor Dennis Socrates and PSFI Deputy Executive Director Marvi Trudeau

(L-R) Moderator Michelle Ong, World Health Organization (WHO) Medical Officer on Malaria, Vectorborne and Parasitic Disease Gawrie Loku Galappaththy, PSFI Deputy Executive Director, Program Manager Externally Funded Programs Marvi Trudeau, Vice Governor of Palawan Dennis Socrates, Renowned Contemporary Fine Artist Leeroy New.

“Fortress” by Leeroy New
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