Arli writes stories and illustrates them. Sometimes, it is the other way around – she illustrates and writes something about them. Essentially, she is a storyteller (who often likes to read aloud too). She found her way to illuswriting when she realized that she has been doing it since she was eleven years old. 

A self-published author of five books since 2017, Arli believes in creating art and breathing words that are life-giving, hope-inspiring, and love-reminding. Themes of her works revolve around spirituality, faith, relationships, people, personal reflections and experiences, matters of the heart, and her life values.

She also shows the interconnectedness of humanity and nature through her on-going personal project Tiny Tutubi, an online series of illustrated stories that call for responsible stewardship of the environment. 

A Multimedia Arts and Sciences graduate of Mapúa Institute of Technology in 2013, Arli delights in smearing the sides of her hands with watercolor, ink, pencils, and pastels, as well as drawing digitally. She carries the mindset that there is a perfect medium for each story. 

For her, art and stories are not just channels of emotions but vehicles for change and truth. She persists to give comfort, joy, peace, and reasons to ruminate through her creations. Just as art saves her every day, she hopes that her little works could do the same for others. 

To write and draw with a heart in service – this is Arli’s mission as an artist. 

Since 2016, Arli has been an active member of Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan, the first and only Philippine organization that creates and promotes illustration for children. 

Her story called ‘Carmel’s Hands’ won an Honorable Mention at the 2025 PBBY-Salanga Chapter Book Prize under the genre historical fiction.

Self-Published Books

• I Like It Here in the Interim: Short Stories (2022)

• The Things We’re Afraid to Say (2021)

• I Wrote This To Remind You That… (2020)

• Though She is Weak (2019)

• Seedlings: A Short Story Collection (2017)

Books & Other Publications

• Ready, Set, Focus! The Adventures of Long-Long (2025) | Written by Grace D. Chong & illustrated by Arli Pagaduan; published by CSM Publishing

• Bayani & the ABCs of Me (2025) | Written by Redner Salonga and Irene Batario & illustrated by Arli Pagaduan

• God’s Great Big Story Books 7 and 8 (2025) | Written by Nikka Gonzaga-Sulatra and illustrated by Arli Pagaduan; published by CSM Publishing

• God’s Great Big Story Books 5 and 6 (2024) | Written by Nikka Gonzaga-Sulatra and illustrated by Arli Pagaduan; published by CSM Publishing

• Mamay Esing (2024) | Written by Jobert Grey Landeza & illustrated by Arli Pagaduan; published by Lampara Books

• Tung Kapupuluan Yang Culion, May Tagbanwa (2024) - anthology stories shared and written by the Chindonan-Alulad-Lamud-Marabal Ancestral Domain (CALM AD) Tagbanwa | Illustrated by Rysa Antonio, Jay Matias, and Arli Pagaduan; published by Cartwheel Foundation, Inc., and funded by J. Kawakami Memorial Trust

• The Impatient Little Star (2024) | Written by Gem Nolasco & illustrated by Arli Pagaduan

• Where is Bunny Boo? (2023) | Written by Anly Kang Hsu & illustrated by Arli Pagaduan

• Helen (2022) | Written by Eunice Alcala-Briones & illustrated by Arli Pagaduan

• I Miss My Friends: An Illustrated Poem (2020) | Written by Dawn Lanuza & illustrated by Arli Pagaduan

Books Illustrated by Ang INK

• I am the Change in Climate Change (2021) | Written by Alyssa M. Peleo-Alampay, Ph.D. & illustrated by Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK)

Comics

• Cat Cafeteria (2025) published by Komiket

• Trying Hard Comic Cat (2025) | Komiket’s 10th Anniversary Kommunity Anthology

• Egg Soup Sunday (2022) | Written by Fay Sebastian, illustrated by Arli Pagaduan, published by Komiket in the Kilig Anthology

Group Art Exhibitions

• Worlds within Worlds - Ang INK’s Annual Exhibit (2024)

• At Home: Scenes from the Everyday - Ang INK’s Annual Exhibit (2023)

• INK Story: Ang INK’s 30th Annual Exhibit (2021)

• Kalikasan, Kabataan, and Kinabukasan: Online Exhibit of Ang INK & CANVAS (2020)

• RiddINKulus: Ang INK’s Annual Exhibit (2018)

• Shelved Wishes Exhibit (2018)

• Re_Tale: Ang InK Philippine Tales Retold in UP Los Baños (2018)

• Brave New World: Ang INK’s Annual Exhibit (2017)

• Tinker Tales: Ang INK’s 25th Annual Exhibit at Ayala Museum (2016)

Speaking

• Read Pinoy on Radyo Magasin (Aired 25 June 2025)

• Young Writers Conference by the Book Writers Club (2025)

• Speak No Words! Let the Illustrations Do the Talking - talk and workshop for La Salle Green Hills Grade 4 students (2025)

• Behold! The Magic of Illustration - online talk and workshop for La Salle Green Hills Grade 3 students (2025)

• Radio guest at DWAR Abante Radyo’s Kiddie Patrol | Episode 12 (Aired 12 Sept. 2024)

• Read-Aloud Storytelling event of ‘Where is Bunny Boo?’ and art/storytelling activities at Everest International Academy, Taguig (2023)

• Resource Speaker for the PYP Career Fiesta of Domuschola International School (2023)

• Guest Speaker for the Reading & Language Festival at Assumption College San Lorenzo, one of Scholastic Inc.’s partner schools (2023)

Workshops Facilitated

• Illustrating workshop under Build your Story Weekends: Baguio Pop-up Event with Liv Language Program (2024)

• Storytelling through Images workshop for Catholic Filipino Academy (CFA)’s Freedom School,

• Ayala Museum’s Quirky Creatures: Basic Animal Caricature Drawing Workshop for Kids (2023)

• Illustration & Book Layout Workshop under Liv Language Program’s The Living Stories Writing and Illustrating Workshop at La Trinidad, Benguet (2024)

• Virtual Storytelling Workshop Facilitator for the Star Readers of Scholastic Inc.’s partner schools (2023)

• Ayala Museum’s Stories & Structures: Basic Drawing Workshop using Colored Pencils (2023)

Visual Notetaking for Events

• Doodle Artist for KindMind’s Design Thinking Workshop for the Youth Leaders at CLIMACTION PH Towards A Net Zero Philippines, organized by Nestlé and the Climate Change Commission, and hosted by GMA Network (2023)

• Visual Notetaker for Ashoka Philippines DIWA Roundtable Discussion with Women Social Entrepreneurs (2023)