Resilience just got a new name!

The Oscar M. Lopez Center is one of the organizations supporting Aksyon Klima Pilipinas’ latest exhibit, KATUMBALIKWASAN: Linking Climate, Nature, and People. The exhibit, officially launched on April 28, is now open for everyone to visit until April 2026 at the National Museum of Natural History.

“Katumbalikwasan” is a fresh Filipino word that gives new meaning to resilience. It was first coined by the late environmentalist and historian Miguel Magalang after the onslaught of Super Typhoon Yolanda. The term combines several Filipino words — katumbas (equivalent), tumba (to fall), balik (to return or restore), balikwas (to turn around or recover), and kalikasan(nature). Together, they capture the idea that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back or surviving, it is about transforming and restoring, especially in harmony with nature.

The exhibit highlights how climate, nature, and communities are all connected through inspiring stories of people and organizations working together to protect forests and marine life. The exhibit also features creative ways to raise awareness about climate change, including the use of art, video games, and digital media.

The OML Center’s Philippine Climate Change Assessment Report and the State of the Philippine Climate StoryMaps are on display.

The National Museum of the Philippines is open daily from 9:00am to 6:00pm.