LOOKING for Juan, a Filipino social enterprise, is blending art with a social cause through its new Haraya Art Puzzle collection.
The line features jigsaw puzzles designed from the works of five contemporary Filipino artists, inviting consumers to engage with art in an interactive way while supporting children's literacy.
The collection, a collaboration with artists Elmer Borlongan, June Digan, Jericho Moral, Jim Orencio, and Rodel Tapaya, transforms their celebrated paintings into tactile, meditative puzzles. The puzzles are not merely games but are intended to be “functional art” that tells the artist's story.
“This project is really about bringing art into everyday spaces. We want people to experience the power of art not just on walls or in galleries, but through play and storytelling,” said Larissa Chavez, head of Looking for Juan.
Each artist’s piece offers a unique narrative. Rodel Tapaya’s “Mahiwagang Mundo” is based on a children’s book about a child's dreams, while Jericho Moral’s “The Broken Clock” presents a surreal landscape of chaos and memory.
Elmer Borlongan’s “Mobile Record Shop” captures a slice of Filipino underground culture, and Jim Orencio’s “Fern Path (Pinto Arboretum)” offers a serene reflection on nature. June Digan’s “Ang Naglalakbay na Karinderya” adds a whimsical, glow-in-the-dark element to its magical forest scene.
The puzzles, made from 2mm premium cardboard, come in 300 to 500 pieces, with prices ranging from P2,200 to P3,000. Each box includes a full-image poster to assist in the assembly. Once completed, the puzzles can be framed and used as wall art.
Beyond the art, each puzzle sold supports the “One Million Books for One Million Filipino Children” campaign, a partnership with the Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development.
The initiative funds the creation and distribution of books to public schools and underserved communities.
“With each puzzle supporting book donations, it’s also a quiet act of community work that nurtures both creativity and literacy,” Chavez said.
The Haraya Art Puzzles are available online and at select partner stores. (PR)
