ALBAY, Philippines – In the full corridors of the Bicol Cancer Center, the air is thick with quiet endurance. Patients and their families wait in long lines, their weary smiles a testament to the daily struggle against cancer.
Even in their darkest days, patients search for a glimpse of hope to ease their pain. Witnessing this struggle, several Bicolano artists believe they can offer a different kind of healing — one found not in a pill, but in the power of art.
Known for her whimsical and colorful art that features the region, Deejai Tanji, who had been diagnosed with Stage 2 cervical cancer, noticed the heavy atmosphere that often loomed over the center and realized that patients needed to be uplifted as they continued their journey of healing.
She said the “Art vs Cancer: Shades of Strength” idea came to her while she and her fellow cancer patients were waiting for chemo and radiation therapy at BCC, a proposal that was later approved by the hospital.
“This is our humble offering for the cancer patients who patiently wait in long lines at the Bicol Cancer Center. We want to help lessen the burden, fear, tension, and boredom they feel,” Tanji explained.
A 2023 study by De La Salle University faculty member Dominic Paguio found that art therapy has a positive impact on female child cancer patients, helping to alleviate their anxiety and improve their self-esteem. The findings reveal the significant role of art in their healing process.
“The art corner is a space where cancer patients can freely express their creativity and have fun,” Tanji said.
To help build Albay’s first art corner at the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center (BRHMC), artists from across the region donated their work. The exhibit, which opened on Friday, August 29, saw an immediate outpouring of support, with eight paintings immediately sold.
“All of our proceeds will be used directly for the art corner, with some also going to help other cancer patients with their financial needs,” Tanji said. “We believe that art and hope are stronger than any disease, especially cancer.”
Artists uplift artists
Renowned Bicolano artist and photojournalist Felipe Jose Peralta said that joining the exhibit was an easy decision. He explained that when Tanji invited him, he immediately agreed, believing that artists need to support each other.
“Of course, when one artist calls for help, we will help them. It’s a testament to how united the Bicol art community is — we know we can always count on each other,” Peralta said proudly.
Dennis Concepcion, president of ArtLiftPH-Bicol, emphasized that exhibits like this also help artists reconnect and support advocacies that are close to their hearts. For him, joining the exhibit is one way of realizing the role of artists in the community.
“Activities like this also help art communities connect and become closer with each other. We need more of this to make a better deal of what our art and collective purpose stands for,” he asserted.
Concepcion’s fellow ArtLift member and youngest artist to join the event, Jandel Tuazon, stressed that it’s never too early or too late for artists to be part of something impactful for people in need. He believes that giving art for a cause makes it more profound and beautiful.
“The veteran artists who joined in the exhibit guided me in participating in this cause,” Tuazon shared. “It might be overwhelming to be surrounded by big names in the industry, but they made me feel that our intention to help and use our art for the greater good is what matters the most.”
Art heals
Like Tanji, Hilario Quirina has a personal connection to the cause — his wife was also a cancer patient. He expressed that while they received little help back then, his current ability to contribute is a way of honoring his wife’s journey.
“My wife was also a cancer patient, but we personally received no help. Understanding how hard it is to have a family member battling cancer, I want to help as much as I can, in the ways I know I can best,” Quirina shared.
The personal struggles of Quirina and Tanji reflect a much larger national crisis. In 2022, the World Health Organization reported over 466,000 prevalent cancer cases in the Philippines, a statistic that underscores the nation’s profound health challenge in battling cancer.
In Bicol, the Department of Health earlier this year launched advanced cancer prevention and treatment initiatives, collaborating directly with local patients, survivors, and advocates in the region.
Motivated by both his personal experience and this broader health crisis, Quirina, as the president of neo Arte Vista Bicol, helped organize the event and donated some of his work. His art blended various techniques to create a unique and meaningful statement, a testament to his belief in the power of art to heal.
“As artists are the ones actively shaping our culture, we need to stand firm and united to make Albay’s culture even better,” he affirmed. “This event is a prime example of how artists can help initiatives for cancer patients and the larger community.”
Tanji reminded, “With our art, we want to show the world that cancer is manageable and that through our collective concern, help, and love, we can heal.” – Rappler.com
