IN a world covered in water, how is it that so many still go thirsty?
This question sits at the heart of “Fair Water?,” a striking new exhibit, which was launched on May 27 at the Ayala Museum in Makati City, and will run for three months, or until August 28.
The opening was attended by representatives from various consulates, development agencies, advocacy groups, and corporate sponsors. Among the supporters is NutriAsia, the local company behind many of the country’s best-loved sauces, which have backed the exhibit as part of their sustainability advocacy.
The free exhibit takes visitors on an immersive journey along a river – from its source to its mouth – revealing the complex realities of global water inequality. It brings together science, community stories, policy discussions, and visual art to show how water, while essential to life, remains out of reach for one in four people worldwide.
Using digital installations, real objects, and storytelling, the exhibit highlights how climate change, poverty, and infrastructure gaps continue to limit access to clean water, especially in vulnerable regions.
Originally presented at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Fair Water? features case studies from the Philippines and across Asia, placing regional experiences at the center of a global conversation.
The exhibit is a collaboration among the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, Asian Development Bank, Ayala Foundation, and Oxford University. Visitors can also attend free public talks held every Saturday starting May 31, with the first session featuring RMAF trustee and renowned Thai landscape architect Kotchakorn Voraakhom, who will speak on “Saving Water for the Future.”
Fair Water? engages visitors of all ages. It’s an invitation to reflect, to learn, and to take action – without overwhelming, but instead inspiring, through stories of resilience and cooperation.
