Baguio artists start fund drive for Yolanda victims

BAGUIO Villanueva, 7, son of visual artist Bumbo Villanueva, shows off his art work which would be sold along with those of other children and artists from Baguio City, to raise funds for survivors of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” in the Visayas. EV ESPIRITU/INQUIRER NORTHERN LUZON

BAGUIO CITY—Sculptor and performance artist Bumbo Villanueva was in the middle of a commissioned work last week when he caught on television an interview of a woman whose child was missing after super typhoon “Yolanda” battered the Visayas.

After seeing the images of devastation and interviews of survivors, he used his Facebook account to call on artists in Baguio to do something to help the survivors.

“I was really crying, so I posted on my Facebook account in Filipino: ‘Baguio, let’s help the victims of Typhoon Yolanda! Let’s hold an exhibit, concert, raise funds … let’s give food, clothes and hope. How? Let’s just help,’” Villanueva said.

“I could not sleep after I turned off my laptop, I was still crying. And when I opened my Facebook account again, there was an overwhelming response not only from Baguio but also from friends from as far as Antipolo, Bukidnon and Cagayan. They were all saying that we should do something for the victims, and that we can stage simultaneous art events dedicated to [typhoon victims] in our respective places,” he said.

The result of that plea was an art exhibit staged by a group of artists called “Kabsat,” an Ilocano term for sibling. The fundraising show started on Sunday at Arko ni Apo Gallery in Barangay Pinsao.

About 100 drawings, paintings and sculptures were displayed in the gallery, contributed by Benjie Mallari, Villanueva and other Baguio artists, and elementary students of Step Learning Academy.

The children’s drawings are sold for P50 each while the professional artists’ works are sold for P2,500 to P5,000.

All proceeds of the exhibit will go to typhoon victims. “If you want to help, give it all, give your 100 percent, especially in this time of need,” Villanueva said.

His 9-year-old daughter, Baba, joined the fundraising activity. “I also made some drawings because I want to help. I pity the children [displaced by the] typhoon. I hope that my work can help them. I hope that there will be no strong typhoons like this anymore,” she said.

Villanueva said Kabsat would not only collect material help but also spiritual help for the victims.

“We will also give the victims moral support. We will start a project with school children and their families and make prayer flags in the park. This act will help teach the children the act of compassion in the process,” he said.

During the exhibit, the group offered flowers and prayers to Tacloban-based musician Jonas Agit Sustento and his wife, Geo, who died in the typhoon. The couple’s 3-year-old son, Tarin, is among those missing.

The Arko ni Apo gallery accepts other works from local artists to be sold during the exhibit’s two-week run.

Also on Sunday, another group of Baguio artists, Open Space, staged a benefit concert, called “Agas Para Iloilo” (Medicines for Iloilo), to collect medicine for typhoon survivors in Iloilo.

“There are many areas in Iloilo which needed help but have not been reached yet. ‘Agas’ is an Ilocano word for medicine, and that is what we want to collect for residents there to help ease their pain,” said theater artist Karlo Altomonte, founder of Open Space.

Another relief drive in Baguio, called “Agkabsat” (Ating Gawing Kasangkapan ang Bawat Sarili at Tumulong), was organized by the Cordillera Global Network and other local cultural groups.

Relief items, medicine and cash are accepted through a drop-off center at Kikan Resto Bar (Baden Powell Inn) on Governor Pack Road.

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