A major name in the Philippine art scene, Kidapawan-born Emmanuel Garibay is known as a visual storyteller whose works are considered art with social relevance. The images in his paintings are simple yet amusing and compelling, with its social, political, and religious tones. His signature expressionist figurative style and awareness of the complexity of history and culture has made him a respected force among the Filipino artists who delve into Social Realism. An active member of artist groups such as Artista ng Bayan (ABAY), Salingpusa, and Anting-anting, Garibay also often paints ordinary people in their different environments. This piece, for instance, features a student reading in her room, an act of cultivating the freedom of thought and acquiring knowledge and understanding.