Splash of Color

It showered tear gas, and the soldiers water bombed the protesters. The armed forces started to catch the rally and looked for the kingpin. It took only a split second to capture the boy’s father since running was a pain in the back for him. Few farmers were taken down, and in an unexpected moment, people minded the sound of the bullet. After hearing the gun shower, everyone ran. It was havoc for the people, and they were like trapped in a labyrinth.

While the boy was having fun in the fast food, he saw a dead body on the news. His world crumbled when the reporter announced that his dad was rained by bullets. A heavy tear flowed in his cheeks as his knees trembled.

As the mother saw her husband lying in the coffin, her heart pounded like a siren in the night. The kid went to his parent’s room to get a handkerchief, but he stepped on a note. He picked it up and sat on the bed to read it.

“My dearest son, I am happy that you went to a prestigious school, but I cannot go there because you’re afraid to be laughed at. But let me tell you a story. Your grandfather inspired me to be a farmer, and I enrolled in your school. I finished an undergraduate course and chose to be a farmer. Without farmers, people cannot live. Sadly, I saw how the past regime brought hell to agriculture. We started a rally at the government office, yet the troops were brutal. The armed forces stabbed my leg and ripped it. We tried to protect our farm, but the administration bought some of our lands, converted it into their entertainment, and imported tons of rice. We lost money due to importation.

Son, when the right time comes, vote for a leader who is willing to fix the system of our country. Remember that when one’s choices cause the suffering of another, it is no longer a political view, but a moral choice. Thus, your political preference reflects your values and morals.

I am very sorry because I know that I will not see you get your diploma at the stage. But one thing is for sure; I will watch and guide you to the right path. Speaking up doesn’t mean you are a terrorist. Until my last breath, son, I protected your future because that is my duty as your father. I love you, my one and only son. Go and defend our land!

With all my love to you, Your father

Earth without “art” is just “eh.” It feels like something is missing without it, right? Art could be shown through a picturesque painting, a dynamic dance, melancholic music, or even lovely literature. It’s a way of expressing the emotions, thoughts, and boundless imaginations that run through our minds. Art brings color and fun into the dullness of life. It allows one to be free and creative. The possibilities are endless. Art assists us in appreciating the many wonders of our world. It opens our eyes to the beauty surrounding us. Although, the purpose of art is not only for the aesthetic: it can also discuss the different socio-economical issues, several topics about nature, plenty of other occurring events that affect us, and challenges that we come across.

Every work of art has its own meaning. It varies on how a person perceives the piece. Artists convey their emotions and ideas through their art. One connects with art whenever one gets evoked by emotional cues that tend to move the person. Over the years, humans have learned to gain a deeper understanding of certain things; this could also be applied to art.

This 2022, NAGPINTASantiagueño, a group of artists from Santiago City, finished a mesmerizing mural on the plain, dull walls of Elino Boulevard that took about three weeks to complete. Upon seeing these walls, you would have a vivid view of mother nature’s bright and beautiful biodiversity—the tall, green, detailed illustrations of trees and mountains, along with a cloudy, calming sky. The realistic expressions and actions of every animal painted on the walls; could all be seen in this marvelous mural called “Project Elino.”

Project Elino is located at Centro East, Santiago City. This makes the mural even more remarkable as it is strategically decked in the heart of the city, where the city folk would pass either by foot or by their vehicles and catch a glimpse of the magnificent mural.

If you would ever come by to visit the mural yourself, you would be looking at two separate pieces of art considered as one. To one side lays a bigger work depicting lush green landscapes that comes in a package with the sky background—which colors appeared like paints scattered in a captured artistic graffiti. At the same time, in the foreground lies the eye-tricking animals such as an elephant and a group of giraffes.

On the opposite wing sits another set of artworks illustrating nature breaking through from the brick walls, quite literally. The animals, ranging from rich aquatics to a Balamban Festival-appreciative butterfly, are painted creatively to look like they are leaping forward the walls of the establishments they are laid on. The tiniest of details, the cracks and the chips of dirt, the curves, and the glints of light, are all present in creating this confusing yet captivating look of the mural.

The Project Elino mural could mean many things. It could be an appreciation for mother nature or a reminder to be more attentive to the needs of the environment. The beauty of art lies in its ability to spur particular emotions from a viewer. The mural will now be a part of the city that conveys a meaningful message and reflects the diligence of the Santiagueños that have committed their time and effort to the mural, all in one.

Neil Gaiman once said, “The world always seems brighter when you’ve just made something that wasn’t there before.” When life seems so gloomy, associate it with art. Express your thoughts and creativity through a song, through poetry, or even with just a splash of color; the possibilities are endless. It doesn’t need to be perfect; it just needs to be you