by Clarissa G. Rodriguez
How much can an artwork do?
Art is the product of the expression of imagination and creativity and can take many forms, may it be a carved picture of emotions or insight to a certain topic. What makes art more meaningful is its ability to be a powerful tool to alleviate and lift one out of difficulty.
This is how young cancer patients support their fight against cancer: through their master pieces, with HospiEscuela’s Painting for a Cause.
HospiEscuela was first idealized by Bro. Andres Fernandez, coordinator of Mt. Carmel Church at the National Children’s Hospital (NCH), and shared the concept to Ms. Kristine Crisseda Mangareng who became his project partner.
The organization acts as a bridge between the gap of NCH warriors’ sufferings and their education with the help of teacher-volunteers.
“These little warriors inspire me to keep going. Tuloy lang. Laban lang. Kapit lang,” Ms. Mangareng said as a message to the young fighters.
(These little warriors inspire me to keep going. Keep pushing. Keep fighting. Just hang in there.)
HospiEscuela was originally launched on March 28 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“Sa ngayon, ilang beses pa lang namin kasing naipost sa page, kung sa page nasa 15 paintings na pero yung iba kasi ayaw magpapost. nahihiya [r]aw. Sa personal profile ko sa [Facebook] we sold 12 paintings,” Mangareng replied as she discussed the sales of the paintings.
(For now, we have only posted quite a few times in our page about 15 paintings since others are still too shy to post their works. But in my personal profile in FB, we have sold 12 paintings.)
Each artwork purchase will help the little warriors to support their daily needs and medications.
“Maraming salamat po sa patuloy na pagsuporta sa mga causes ng HospiEscuela. Napakalaking tulong po nito sa kanilang medical expenses, sa kanilang gamutan, chemotherapy, lalo na sa mga patients natin na wala talagang kakayahang iprovide ang lahat ng ito. May God continue to bless you and keep you safe,” she added.
(Thank you so much for you continuous support to the causes of HospiEscuela. This is a big help for their medical expenses, for the treatment, chemotherapy, especially to those patients who do not really have the capacity to provide all these. May God continue to bless you and keep you safe.)
*Send love and support to our brave cancer warriors at NCH. Click here so you will be redirected to HospiEscuela admin.*
All paintings are also posted in the ARTS Section of PIGEON.