A Story of Resilience and Hope Amidst Typhoon Carina

Last July, Typhoon Carina struck, intensifying the Southwest Monsoon and causing heavy flooding in many areas, including the National Capital Region (NCR). As parents were busy preparing for the upcoming school year, many had just purchased their children’s school supplies. While some were fortunate enough to keep their belongings safe, others were not as lucky. Just days away from the first day of school, many children were left with nothing.

With the help of friends and beneficiary organizations, we were able to distribute school materials and supplies to the affected communities through The Canvas to School Bag Program, which I started working on early this year. These supplies, funded by the earnings from my sold artworks, brought hope and new beginnings to children who had lost everything just days before the start of the school year.

We distributed 30 sets of school supplies, including school bags, pencils, sharpeners, erasers, rulers, crayons, and coloring through Unison - Youth Organization in Cavite. These sets were originally intended for art workshops aimed at empowering young minds, fostering creativity, and bridging gaps in education. However, they found a bigger purpose in bringing hope to the kids affected by the typhoon. Additionally, we took this opportunity to support children serving the church of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Quezon City by giving away 20 more sets to further the church’s advocacy.

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my art patrons. Your trust in my work has enabled me to be a channel of your blessings to others. This experience has shown that even the smallest effort can make a significant difference during times of crisis. Let’s continue supporting each other, as every little bit of help can bring hope and new beginnings to those in need.