Artists rise above their limitations
In the largest annual gathering of neurologists in the country, delegates and members of the Philippine Neurological Association (PNA) were welcomed to a unique art exhibit entitled “Rising Above Limitations.” The exhibit, which ran from Nov. 14 to 17 at the lloilo Convention Center, featured the artworks of persons who have overcome a major health setback due to a neurological condition such as stroke, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease and Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
The artworks were complemented by the paintings of neurologists Dr. Dureza Cerrada-Abad, Dr. Janet Arcenal-Beltran, Dr. Joel Advincula and Dr. Minda Marie de la Serna-Cabrera, a rehabilitation medicine specialist. Dr. Abad explores charcoal and oil as her medium in her paintings. She also creates the “Dors Bayong” collection, a series of locally crafted handbags embellished with antique accessories. Despite their busy schedules, time being their primary limitation, Dr. Beltran and Dr. Advincula contributed their precious works in oil and pastel. The exhibition was curated by Shiela Molato and Dr. Krys Balmaceda of MAMUSA Gallery.
Stroke is a major catastrophic event that results from a disruption of the brain’s blood supply and causes damage to parts of the brain. It can affect people of any age but it is more common in people over the age of 55. The damage caused by stroke is variable and can affect movement, language, behavior, sensation and thinking. Some people recover well; some are left with varying degrees of disability. Rehabilitation aims to help people cope with these disabilities and relearn skills.
“Most often, we look at the diseased or damaged brain and its attendant neurological deficits.As part of the medical team that manages patients with acute and chronic conditions that lead to functional impairments and disability, such as post-stroke patients, physiatrists (specialists in rehabilitation medicine) focus on the intact or healthy part of the brain and harness its innate capacity to rewire and learn new skills,” explains Dr. Cabrera, head of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, St Paul’s Hospital (SPH) and former president of the Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine(PARM).
“We are very thankful to the organizing committee of the 40th Annual Convention of the Philippine Neurological Association and the Iloilo Neuro-Science Group led by Dr. Joel Advincula and Dr. Elma Maranon for inviting us,” she added. By placing the exhibit area in the same hall alongside the scientific research posters Dr. Advincula allowed the delegates to move from science to art in the same venue.
This year’s theme, “Convergence: LinkagesAcross Specialties” recognizes the impor- tance of vital collaboration between specialties in the various fields of medicine.
Dr. Cabrera, a self-taught artist who has held solo exhibitions in Museo Iloilo, the NCCA Gallery in Intramuros and most recently at the Philippine Center Gallery in New York, expounds that engaging the patients in art challenges the brain in an activity that is different from the everyday logical linear thinking and draws the brain to areas interested in forms, texture and color. Art activates the non-verbal and emotional parts of the cerebral cortex that can help patients express themselves and communicate. It requires complex processing of visual, tactile, auditory, kinaesthetic information and execution. Realizing the vast potential of art as an emergent tool for the rehabilitation of patients with nervous system disorders, Dr. Cabrera launched the weekly “Art Exercise @ SPH Program” for patients at SPH last May 5 with painter and muralist Kristoffer Brasileno, assisted by the staff physical therapists from SPH.
After six months on the program, the patients have proven that the brain has a great capacity to gain new skills and overcome limitations. MEET THE ARTISTS Virginia “Inday” Segovia is an 85-year-old widow who had a mild stroke in 2015. She is the chairperson of S&J Motors and previously held leadership positions in various religious and socio-civic organizations such
as GSP, CWL, Zonta International and Rotary Anns, Rotary Club of Iloilo. Upon the invitation of Dr. Cabrera, she joined the Art Exercise @ SPH Program and has gone from adult coloring to sketching then painting. In her work, her brush strokes reveal her innate innovative and independent character. Determined to pursue her creative sense further, she is one artist to watch out for.
Aurora Tingzon is 70 years old, a righthanded retired accountant who survived a massive stroke in 2015. She had severe residual right hemiparesis and dysarthria. She gradually improved and was able to walk using a cane; however, her right arm and hand had no voluntary movement. Using her left hand, in April last year, she began to spend time on coloring books. She continued her physical therapy, which included stimulation, facilitation techniques and biofeedback. By February 2018, a remarkable improvement in her right upper extremity strength was noted. In May, she joined the Art Exercise@SPH program. Gentle and soft-spoken, she manifests her love of nature and positive outlook in life by her affinity for warm, vibrant colors in her artworks.
Quesie Brigole is a 16-year-old senior high student from Fabrica, Sagay, Negros Occidental. She loves doing art, reading and playing the
guitar. Though mostly quiet and reserved, she excelled in sports and earned gold medals in javelin throw and shot-put competitions. Life changed suddenly for Quesie when on June 20 this year, she developed weakness of both arms and legs due to Guillain–Barre Syndrome. Unable to continue her schooling, she joined the Art Exercise @ SPH program. With the support of her parents, she was able to use her time in developing her artistic skills alongside with her physical therapy. She realized that this unexpected turn of events allowed her to experience sadness, joy, frustration, fulfilment and gratefulness. “Art teaches me to listen to other people’s perspective, apply the things I have learned by observing and appreciating. Art is not just a way of learning. It is a way of living.”
Jose Mari Gonzalez is the second of five siblings of the former DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzalez and Pacita Gonzalez. He studied political science at the Philippine Christian University and had been a volunteer at the House of Representatives and DSWD. As an adult with cerebral palsy, he was actively involved in the disability sector but due to a fall, he sustained a cervical spine injury. He comes to Iloilo and returns to Manila periodically and during his time in Iloilo, he undergoes physical therapy at St. Paul’s Hospital where he recently joined the Art Exercise@ SPH program. He is an amiable gentleman who loves to sing, write short stories and poetry. His first work is an abstract painting.
Benito Sabio is a prolific impressionist painter from Iloilo with a number of group and solo exhibitions under his belt. He was one of the top watercolorists of the year in the 8th Invitational Watercolor painting Competition at Gallery Genesis in 1991.
The exemplary evidence of the ability of an individual to regain function after stroke lies in the person of Fernando Kabigting, an artist famous for his paintings on wooden batya and reclaimed wood. He suffered from a stroke in 1999 and struggled to relearn his lost skills. Debilitated by residual right –sided weakness and extra- ocular muscle weakness, he is a perfect inspiration to all who have experienced disability and limitations. Despite the setback, “he refocused his energies to painting vivid depictions of daily life that convey his emotions of gratefulness for his life, love and his humanity.” Kabigting’s works are a delight to the senses that exude a youthful exuberance despite his advancing age and physical limitations. This is the ultimate testimony of the triumph of the human spirit. Humble and generous with his time, he shares his works in this exhibit that give us a glimpse of his future series of exhibitions, “Retrospective,” spanning over 50 years of his life in art.