BAGUIO CITY – A painting recognizing the life of an Overseas Filipino Worker in France was donated to the Philippine Embassy in Paris by Filipino artist Myse Salonga.

FILIPINO artist Myse Salonga (left) donates a painting entitled ‘Marianne’ to Philippine Ambassador to France Junever Mahilum-West in Paris. (Photo courtesy of Myse Salonga)
According to Salonga, her painting entitled "Marianne" was personally brought to the Philippine Embassy in France and has now been added to the embassy's collection after it was accepted by Ambassador Junever Mahilum-West.
"This piece is a tribute to the resilience and dedication of our OFW in France and heartfelt thanks to the Embassy and Ambassador West for graciously accepting my painting," said Salonga.
Salonga was among 50 artists from 20 different countries who participated in an exhibit in Paris to raise funds for children from the Philippines, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Paintings, sculptures, photography, and digital arts were displayed on May 30 from June 2 in celebration of the 21st edition of "Rendezvous aux Jardins," a project of the French Minister of Culture.
Salonga said that her painting recognizes pharmacist Marianne Tan in the Philippines who abandoned her profession and dared to venture to France as an undocumented worker and take on odd jobs to fulfill her daughter's request to study law.
France has recognized OFWs for their sacrifice for their family in the Philippines, thus Tan was granted a working visa and allowed to be with her family in the Philippines.
Her daughter is just awaiting the Bar examination.
Salonga said the importance of the life of an OFW pushed her to draw Tan’s life so that she can be acknowledged and recognized by the world.
The Marianne painting is 24 x 24 inches on a high cotton canvass stretched on a wooden frame.
Salonga, who used a variety of brushstrokes to create a smoky effect background and texture for the painting, markets her art work locally and internationally and has sold over 100 unique paintings.