Celebrating Woman Empowerment Through Art.

I recently completed a painting titled Gabriela Bleed and Bloom, it is inspired by the theme of woman empowerment and an entry to Sining Filipina. The artwork features a lady symbolizing a Filipina, her chin held high in a gesture of pride and determination. She is adorned with a crown of roses, intricately woven with thorns. One of these thorns pierces her forehead, with blood gracefully flowing down. This crown represents the glory and beauty of being a woman, while also acknowledging the pain that accompanies this beauty.

The inspiration for this piece comes from the everyday struggles and triumphs of women. An example is the sight of pregnant women running to catch a jeep to get to their jobs, epitomizing the strength and independence required to navigate their lives. The painting is a tribute to these women who, despite the challenges and pain, continue to hold their heads high and march forward with unwavering resolve.

Creating this artwork was a profound experience. It allowed me to channel my thoughts and emotions about womanhood into a visual form that speaks volumes. The lady in the painting is not just a figure; she is a symbol of resilience, courage, and the indomitable spirit of women everywhere.

With every woman in mind, I believe that we can work more to create an equitable community that acknowledges the contributions and needs of women. In celebration for the Women’s month, I also had the privilege of talking about my experience as a leader, an artist and an advocate of women empowerment at work, the interview was shared in our group across the countries we operate.

While I didn’t won or get selected for the competition, I really treasured the experience. I visited the exhibit of the talented artists who got selected and I am in awe of the overflowing talents of our Filipina artists. It is a very inspiring experience.