Unleashing the Creativity of Kids: Bambi Mañosa-Tanjutco

(Standing L-R) Gelo, Bambi, and Dino Mañosa with (sitting L-R) Bobby and Denise Mañosa

“My childhood with my dad is somehow magical, I guess. We owned a Filipino-themed toy store, in the ‘70s but we we’re not allowed to play with it and bring some of it home, except when it was Christmas or our birthday—so we learned the value of having.” Creative Kids Studio founder Bambi Mañosa-Tanjutco is the daughter of the acclaimed architect Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa and she has a keen eye for Filipino artistry and interior design and big heart for the younger generation.

Bambi finished her studies in Interior Design in Assumption College and received her Masteral Degree in Art Education at the University of the Philippines. With her father’s advice, Bambi took up units in education to pursue her dream of conducting art lessons for kids, which she started doing while in college. Besides the children in Ayala-Alabang Village, the indigent children in Muntinlupa also got to know Bambi as a loving teacher who has helped them unleash their creativity and appreciate the beautiful and vibrant colours of the world around them. 

In 1995, Bambi founded Creative Kids Studio with the philosophy of not only developing the artist in a child but also developing creativity for them to think and act in whatever task or career they are in. For 20 years, the Creative Kids Studio has helped hundreds of children from their struggles in developing their skills and talents in visual and performing arts. Through the studio, Bambi reached out to the less fortunate, especially children at risk, by partnering with different foundations and organisations like the International Justice Mission, Community and Family Services International, Consuelo Algiers Foundation, and the Zonta Club of Alabang.

Natasha Tanjutco poses with her masterpiece, which will be exhibited at the Alabang Town Centre together with other works by Creative Kids Studio's former and current students. Also in the photo, Isabella Tanjutco.

This 2015, Creative Kids Studio culminates with a month-long programme to promote the children’s right to play. In this endeavour, Creative Kids is partnering with the Tukod Foundation of the Mañosa Group of Companies to raise funds for UNICEF Philippines and to build a much needed playground in the resettlement area in Calauan, Laguna that has over 7,000 children, mostly survivors of typhoons Ondoy and Yolanda. 

“For those that were given much, much more is expected,” said Denise Mañosa, managing director of Tukod Foundation and mother of Bambi. “All my children grew up that way, especially in 1986 when I started getting involved with the community and the less fortunate. Bambi and her brothers all used to come with me in my outreach programs just like how Bambi is doing now with her children.”

Bambi’s daughters, Isabella and Natasha are both active members of the Creative Kids Studio and as it closes down this year, they are spearheading its transition to Kids For Kids Foundation, together with other alumni of Creative Kids. Continuing the steps of their mother and grandmother, Natasha and Isabella came up with the concept of getting children to actively help other children in need. 

“Bobby and I would constantly tell our children to give this and give that,” Denise said. “But also emphasize that not just because you have a lot you are imperative to share blessings but understand the importance of empathizing with these kids and really help them in any way,” she continued.

(The Laro project starts runs from May 11 to 31 at the Alabang Town Centre, Muntinlupa City. See the details of the month-long programme here.)
Cover photo courtesy of Creative Kids Studio website. Photo of the Mañosa family retrieved from Tukod Foundation website.