MB Sketch Fest artists define ‘Hero’
Soldiers, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), anyone who does good to others – those were the heroes honored in the works of about 1,000 artists of all ages who shared their impressions on heroism during the 5th Manila Bulletin (MB) Sketch Fest held at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
To mark National Heroes Day, the event focused on the theme “The Hero in Me.”
Carlo Rueca, 12, said soldiers are his heroes. Heroism is not just helping those in need but also
protecting the country, he said.
“Mayroon po silang pag-unawa sa mga mahihirap, kahit po nahihirapan din sila (They care for the poor despite the difficulties they go through themselves),” he said.
“Pinapakita po ng drawing ko kung gaano po ang hirap ng dinadanas ng ating mga sundalo para po sa ating bayan (My drawing shows the hardship our soldiers go through to protect our country),” said Rueca, showing his artwork that pays tribute to the country’s soldiers.
Sixty-two-year-old commercial artist Edgardo Azul meanwhile said that one can be a hero as long as “you do good to others.”
“Sa akin, ang hero, yung may nagagawa kang maganda sa kapwa (A hero, for me, is the one who does good to others),” he said. He came with his son Reinard, 26, who defined a hero as “a person who understands his peers and helps unconditionally.”
“Alam ko yung pakiramdam ng nasasaktan so pag meron akong kakilala o nakikitang ganun, tinutulungan ko (I know the feeling of being hurt, so when I know or see someone, who gets hurt, I help),” he shared.
Nine-year-old Ronalyn Camacho from Pasay City defined her “hero” as having two character traits: Goodhearted and helps people. That includes her playmates, she said. “Lagi akong nadadapa ‘pag naglalaro kami; tinutulungan nila ako (I always trip when we play, but my friends help me get up),” she said.
The heroism of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) was reflected in the sketch of a former OFW who had worked in the Middle East for 12 years. Jaime, who did not want to give his surname, said he dedicates his artwork to his fellow OFWs who “sacrificed distance from their loved ones to work for their families.”
“Bilang alam ko ang pakiramdam at related sakin (Because I know how it feels and I relate to them),” he explained. He said he plans to work overseas again next year.
Paula Villa, 16, an Advertising student from the University of Sto. Tomas, the greatest thing that a hero can do for others is to pray.
Her artwork, titled “Hero in my heart,” illustrated a girl kneeling amid fallen trees and ruins. She said the work is dedicated to the victims of natural calamities.
For me, prayer is the greatest thing we can give to those in need, said Villa.