Mandaluyong City, Philippines, Feb. 26, 2024 — Art exhibits just got a little more inclusive thanks to Nina Bantoto.

Bantoto, who has autism and is an Ambassador for Best Buddies in the Philippines, the country’s branch of Best Buddies International, a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for friendship, employment, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), hosted a solo art exhibit, titled “Enter the Dragon,” on Feb. 10 at Gallerie Joaquin Podium in Mandaluyong City.

Nina’s art was displayed in the gallery from Feb. 6 – Feb. 15. Gallerie Joaquin Podium has been open since 2002, and has gained international recognition, opening locations in the Philippines and in Singapore, and being one of the first Filipino art galleries to be featured in international auction houses such as Sotheby’s, Borobudur, Masterpiece and Larasati. Lord Bantoto, Nina’s father, understood his daughter’s incredible achievement.

“If there’s a word that’s better than proud, this is it: super proud,” Lord Bantoto said.

Best Buddies in the Philippines members also came to support Nina and see her exhibit.

“Best Buddies in the Philippines is excited to support Nina in her growth as an artist,” Michelle Aventajado, the country director for Best Buddies in the Philippines, said. “Her exhibit brings us together to celebrate Chinese New Year and welcome the abundance and prosperity the Year of The Dragon encompasses.”

Nina faced a long road to get to this point. Diagnosed with autism at three-years-old, Nina struggled with speech and social skills. What she lacked in social skills, however, she made up in artistry. At a young age, Nina learned how to draw and paint.

Now 27, Nina’s artistic talents have been recognized in galleries around the world. Her art was first published in a Chinese magazine in 2010. From 2014-2016, she joined several exhibits with other artists with autism throughout Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Her biggest achievement game in 2017, when Nina was selected to showcase her art at the United Nations on World Autism Day. Her art was featured in the United Nations office and the Philippines consulate in New York City.

Bantoto’s art has also diversified as she’s aged. Her most recent exhibit, her second at the Gallerie Joaquin Podium, featured paintings of Chinese zodiacs. Her first exhibit at Gallerie Joaquin Podium, hosted back in 2018, featured art ranging from drawings of Disney characters to paintings of sarimanoks, mythical birds from the Philippines.

“Sometimes her drawings are copies of what she has seen,” Lord said in an interview in 2014. “But most of the time, they are her [version] of her favorite animated characters doing the things she loves.

Nina is a testament to the fact that people with IDD have incredible talents and have what it takes to be successful in their chosen craft, especially when supported by the right people.

To view more of Nina’s art, please visit and follow her official Facebook page here.

About Best Buddies
Best Buddies^® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 3,000 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies’ 12 formal programs — Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies®, Jobs, Ambassadors, Promoters, Transitions, Inclusive Living and Eunie’s Buddies— engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 45 countries, positively impacting the lives of nearly one million people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit bestbuddies.org or connect with us via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Media Inquiries
Best Buddies International
Nicole Maddox
Vice President, Communications
NicoleMaddox@Bestbuddies.org