While the Philippines was reeling from one of the world's longest lockdown, and the battering it got from the strongest typhoon in 2020, five young artists kept the online bayanihan alive by helping others through their artworks.
The Philippines' battle against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to nearly a year-long lockdown. As schools and colleges remain shut, over 24 million students have been forced to attend distance learning.
Distance learning is a remote learning method where students do not need to physically attend classes. The lessons are delivered through a mix of modular learning, online learning, and television and radio broadcasts.
However, many students are still struggling to adjust to distance learning.
Art for students' sake
To help fellow students who are still scrambling to acquire digital devices and stable Internet connection, Shami, a student from Malayan Colleges Laguna joined "Tugon Sining".
"Tugon Sining" is a fundraising project dedicated to give support and assistance to students who are struggling with their academics because of the lack of equipment or Internet access due to the sudden shift to face-to-face classes to online classes.
"I've seen so many posts about students dropping out or failing their classes due to the sudden shift to online classes and the strict requirements of the school, some students are also on the line of not being able to enroll," Shami told the Manila Bulletin.
"Not all students have the privilege or capable enough to have the required gadgets. I wanted to help them, but I had no source of budget since I still a student. Not until I saw a post looking for volunteer artists, I realized my art could also help other students like me," she added.
"Tugon Sining" is also in partnership with the University of the Philippines Pre-Medical Society. The project was able to raise P33,193 in just a month.
Through the initiative, Shami realized the importance of giving back to others.
"No amount is too small to give. Just a little sacrifice of a portion of your budget for your 'wants' can help give someone their 'needs.' It is good to be successful in life, however, it is more important to give back to others," she said.
Art for fellow Filipinos
Typhoon Rolly (International name: Goni), the strongest tropical storm to ever make landfall this year, and Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) hit the Philippines in November, resulting in massive flooding and power outages in many parts of the country.
According to the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), at least 30,000 individuals remain displaced from "Rolly" and "Ulysses", and are still staying in 181 evacuation centers across five regions.
Among the hardest hit areas was Cagayan Valley. Floods and landslides wrought havoc in Cagayan and Isabela due to the rains brought by Ulysses. Local authorities called it the worst flooding in decades in the region.
Saddened by the news, student artists Ariane Joy Sombrito and Raumell Cobangbang of Saint Louis University spearheaded "Art Project for a Cause" to help Cagayanos.
" is really painful to just watch and do nothing, and we knew in our hearts we need to do something. It doesn't matter if we are students and only capable of doing so little to help. We used our talent to create and sell artworks to raise funds to provide even the smallest financial assistance we can to help. Hoping that it will reach even one home and lend them comfort," Sombrito said.
The project raised P2,600. The fund was donated to non-profit organizations URAY SIKAMI and PROJECT KADWAM, and was able to provide food packs to 120 individuals affected by Ulysses in Cagayan.
"The act of giving is our way of living; we are most alive when we knew that there is even at least one person that we are able to inspire to keep going as we do together to overcome different , especially in this time of pandemic," she added.
No amount is too small
Antonitte Jane Magsombol, an Information Technology student from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Binan, Laguna, thought of opening art commissions to help her fellow students.
Magsombol collaborated with her classmate, Ermil Magtuloy, to start "Commission for a Cause: For the PUPIAN Victims of Typhoon Ulysses in Binan, Laguna." The two opened 20 slots for art commissions, and were able to raise P3,800.
The fund was handed to the Central Student Council of PUP-Binan, and was used to buy grocery packages for students, who were severely affected by the typhoon.
"There are a lot of people who believed my craft and I know that from them. I hope that I served one of my purposes as an artist and that is to give back to people. I realized that you don't have to be rich to help. One initiative can inspire a hundred and who knows maybe you can help thousands," Magsombol said.
Digital artist Arteh, also known as Pia, sold her artworks to help the victims of "Ulysses". She was able to donate over P1,300 to her chosen organization.
Pia also joined Project ICONnect, a group of artists who help the victims of Typhoon "Ulysses" through art commissions.
"Giving back taught me that even though we are in a pandemic and we do not know each other in real life, we can help each other in our own simple ways. Through the power of art and social media, artists gathered together to create art for a cause to help others, and people supported by boosting their post, commissioning the artist, donating to the artist to help his or her initiative," she said.