MANILA, Philippines?A doll is among a child?s earliest toys. More than a plaything, it is often also a source of comfort, a companion at bedtime, a tool for role -playing and sometimes, an outlet for the child?s emotions. But a doll can be much more, as a group of artists undertaking the Manikako project has realized.

Manikako (my doll) is one of the programs of the House of Comfort Art Network Inc. (Arthoc), a non-stock, nonprofit organization that sees art as a potent source of empowerment and a means for connecting, liberating and transforming people toward the formation of ?a more humane world.?

Led by artists and art educators, Arthoc engages in programs that involve and benefit mostly people in difficult situations. They include survivors of human rights violations and traumatic experiences in addition to orphaned or abandoned children.

Using the not-so-usual art forms of sewing, quilt making and rag doll making, the group helps participants come to terms with their situation, realize their worth and potential and use these for their advancement and happiness.

Manikako is a spinoff from Otap or Taong Pinoy/Pinay. Otap, a flying doll that saves animals, was created by an 8-year-old girl, Ligia Daroy. Later, the term referred to the doll-making workshops that art students from the University of the Philippines conduct for underprivileged children like the disabled, out-of-school youth and survivors of calamities like typhoons.

Otap later teamed up with more organized doll-making groups like ManikaManila and Mistula to form Manikako which became the fundraising arm of Arthoc. But more than raising money for the children?s art workshops, it also aims to provide livelihood for needy communities, awaken the spirit of volunteerism in the youth and in a way, provide venues for stronger bonding among family members and friends.

One of Manikako?s recent activities was the recently concluded doll exhibit, ?Manikako, Future Ko,? organized by Arthoc and the Liongoren Gallery in cooperation with the Podium, Y&R Philippines, Segue, Britania Art Projects and the UP Delta Lambda Sigma Sorority Alumni Inc.

Held from Feb. 16 to 23 at the Podium lounge in Ortigas Center, the exhibit featured dolls made by noted artists, including National Artists Napoleon Abueva and Abdulmari Imao, Mauro Malang Santos, Ral Arrogante, Romulo Olazo, Neil Doloricon, Egai Fernandez, Prudencio Lammaroza, Jose Tence-Ruiz, and Pablo Baens Santos. There were also dolls made by literary, performing and musical artists like Joey Ayala, Cynthia Alexander, Noel Cabangon, Edna Vida and Nonoy Froilan.

A total of 122 dolls made by 116 artists were auctioned off on opening night, Feb. 16. More bids came in for the yet unsold dolls through a ?silent auction? held until Feb. 23, the last day of the exhibit. Also available for a minimum donation were doll-making kits and dolls made by youth volunteers and groups supporting the cause of Manikako.

Workshops were held every day for walk-in visitors, mostly children, under the supervision of doll-making groups like Pilipinas Street Plan, ManikaManila, Dreams Sewing Circle, Igans Collective and Y&R.

The proceeds of the auction will help Arthoc conduct more doll-making workshops in other poor communities in the Philippines.

The benefits of these workshops cannot be measured against the material costs of conducting them, or even the time and effort spent by the volunteers?the ?ate? and ?kuya? (big sister and big brother)?who patiently guide the children on how to make their dolls and?through their imaginative use of bits of cloth, yarn, beads and recycled materials?express their feelings and aspirations.

The children?s happiness as they go about making their dolls, the satisfaction of having channeled their ideas and feelings into something they can see and hold, the confidence they gain as they realize they can create something beautiful and useful, and the hope that is instilled in their young hearts that life, after all, is good?these are the real benefits of the doll-making workshops.

And for every child that is touched by these workshops, the benefits are invaluable.

The workshops also serve as an occasion for nurturing social relationships and a sense of community belonging. Even among the volunteers and organizers, stronger bonds were forged, at times between teachers and their students and parents and their children.

Says Norma Liongoren, gallery owner, Arthoc board member and one of the principal organizers of the Manikako exhibit: ?Thanks to the workshops, I became even closer to my daughter Hannah.? An artist herself, Hannah is one of the active volunteers of Manikako who designed the basic rag doll used in the workshops together with Manikako head seamstress Gabie Osorio.

The exhibit closed on Feb. 23 with a thanksgiving concert highlighted by performances from several artists. But for hosts of children in many disadvantaged communities, the Manikako exhibit has opened the doors to new possibilities, a better view of life and a brighter hope for the future as only the magic of art can inspire.