#SiningBayanihan: Share Your Love

April 2020. We're in the middle of an enhance community quarantine due to the onging pandemic of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 also known as COVID-19. Everyone is asked to stay inside their homes, suspending all classes and work exempting frontline services. Since its outbreak in December 2019, the first case recorded in the country was in January 30 by tourists coming from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the pandemic. Zamboanga implemented the community quarantine March 15 and recorded its first case on March 24. Read more about the crisis here.

In 4 weeks, Zamboanga City recorded 4 positive cases, with around 70 cases still waiting for their results. It's been weeks since the quarantine and people are getting anxious everyday as the number of cases increase. I, personally, am very lucky to have a work that can be done at home. As a multimedia artist and social media manager, I don't have to report to work everyday. Staying at home is the best way to avoid the virus but sadly, not everyone has that privilege. Marginalized families are the victims of this crisis. Without going outside and working, they can't feed their families. The local government started giving out food packs to these families and we have civic organizations, and charitable individuals and groups who are also sharing their time and resources to the families who need it the most.

During my spare time, I join an online art challenge by ADZU's Ateneo Center for Culture and Arts (ACCA) where artists create pieces related to a theme. My first piece is for the theme "Amor" or Love which is a paper sculpture.

"Share your Love", is a paper sculpture placed outside our home to show our solidarity to the government and our community in this difficult times.❤️ Here in Zamboanga City, households place heart-shaped signs in their doors to signifying that they waive their share of family food packs so it will be given to families who need it more. We are encouraging our friends to also share their love.🏘💕

I made the 3D paper heart following a Youtube video tutorial by Paper Kawaii. You can watch it here. A template was provided which you can download here. I upscaled the the pattern which I printed in a series of bondpaper, and glued them so that can fit a folder. I used a recycled red folder and just followed the instructions. I only created one side since I ran out of red paper. So I mounted the paper heart in a cardboard and attached some strings so I can hang it in our gate. It turned out nicely.

Check out more of my works in my Facebook Page: CSZ Doodles, in my Twitter account @cedzabala, Instagram account @cedzabala and here in my blog. For more works on #SiningBayanihan, like the page of ACCA here. #WeHealAsOnePH #InspiringCreativity #ElevatingArtistry #COVID19PH #COVIDreadyZambo

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Orgullo

In celebration of the LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, the Ateneo Center for Culture and Arts (ACCA) and El Consejo Atenista, organized an group art exhibit dubbed as "ORGULLO" which means 'pride' in Chavacano. This exhibit is the first of its kind in our university and I wanted to contribute as soon I saw the call for artwork. I submitted two digital artwork which tackles two topics in SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender, Identity and Expression).
 
"CORAJE" Digital Illustration (Illustrator + Photoshop) 2019
This piece tackles sexual orientation. It shows a well sculpted bronze man with patches in his body showing off what's inside of him. The spectrum represents his spirit and his sexuality. He wears laurels which signifies his accomplishments and how successful he is as told by society. He is holding a sword, a phallic symbol, which represents his sexual desire, specifically attraction to his same sex. The sword is also a weapon, a responsibility that he is holding. He can use it to reveal his true self but it takes courage to truly show everyone what he really feels inside. To be truly one's self is one of the bravest thing a person could do. No matter how we are raised up or shaped by the society, it's only us who knows who we are deep inside. It takes guts to liberate the mind and soul from the bounds of society. It takes a brave heart to love someone deeply. It takes courage to be true to one's self.


"GENDER ≠ EXPRESSION" Digital Illustration (Illustrator + Photoshop) 2019
This illustration shows three concepts of SOGIE: Sex, Identity and Expression. What we look outside does not necessarily tell who we are inside. Sex is biological and is the marker recorded in our birth. Commonly its Male or Female but many people don't know that there three more sex: hermaphrodite, female pseudohermaphrodites (individuals who have ovaries and some male genitalia but lack testes), and male pseudohermaphrodites (individuals who have testes and some female genitalia but lack ovaries). Gender identity, which is usually used interchangeably with the term 'sex,' refers to one’s inner sense of self of being a girl/woman, boy/man, other genders, all, or neither. Meanwhile, Gender expression refers to how an individual expresses his or her sense of self. Society has dictated how men and women should properly behave or dress, but in reality, these are just toxic patriarchal culture which is written by ancient societies. Nowadays, there are people who are becoming more open to expressing themselves but stereotypes are still very much common and puts pressure to the LGBT community especially the young ones who tries to suppress their true selves to fit in with the society. The artwork shows a queue of people of different sexes. The two persons in the middle shows a inverted happy face, or the 'fake happy' face, and their shadow, which represents who they are inside, shows that it doesn't match with what they are outside. Sex, Identity and Expression is not just male or female, girl or boy, men or woman, black or white. It is many like the colors of the spectrum.

The artworks are also in DeviantArt. If you like it, do hit the star buttons here: "Coraje" "Gender ≠ Expression" This is dedicated to all my LGBTQIA+ friends and loved ones.

Para Un Mundo Nuevo

On July 28, 2018 Zamboanga City celebrated its first Dia de Guardia Forestal or Day of the Forest Guards, a tribute for the heroes of the protected forest in the Pasonanca Natural Park. Situated at the north of the city proper, the protected area preserves a major water shed in the Peninsula that is home for biodiverse floral and fauna.

Me and my cousin, Wella, were commissioned to create a mural which will be painted on the spot during the celebration at Jardin Maria Clara. I created the initial concept digitally using Illustrator. It featured a forest scenery with lush plants and animals and at the center is a lettering of a quote in Chavacano language. It says "Entre cada dos Arboles tiene puerta para un Mundo Nuevo" which means "Between two trees is a door to a new world". I enhanced the concept art in Photoshop and came up with this:



The organizers eventually changed the quote and simply wanted it "Gracias Guardia Forestal" or "Thank You, Forest Guards". We didn't finish it on the day since the program is just half a day. We continued it home and took us about two weeks to finish since we only do it after work hours. The mural came out very nice and the colors came out nicely.




Special thanks to our moms and our handy man, Badong, for the help!



Like the illustration in my Deviant Art account here.

Perlas ng Silanganan

It has been so long since I shared my works in this blog. Recently, there was a call for submission for artworks for a conference and I was challenged to submit some of my recent works. During the past years, the only works I can call "art" is just a handful and those are commissioned artworks.

This digital illustration is titled "Perlas ng Silanganan" or "Pearl of the Orient" the moniker of our country, the Philippines. Situated at the Southeast of Asia, our archipelagic nation is clamped like a pearl which welcomes visitors from the Pacific and Western nations. This artwork depicts the lives of fishermen in a traditional boat called "vinta" with colorful sails. It represents the diverse cultures in the Philippines which includes Christians, Muslims and Lumad or the indigenous peoples.

(Click image for larger view)

The sea is abundant with aquatic life as Philippines is known for its biodiversity. The title is written in Baybayin, the ancient Tagalog script, which is pegged to be the national writing system of the country. Philippines is rich in cultural and natural heritage and diversity, and it is what I call my home.

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This artwork is originally commissioned by a home-grown restaurant as a huge mural which welcomed its visitors as they enter the place. I initially sketched a concept in paper and created the basic shapes in illustrator. Then, I used photoshop for to add shading, lighting, texture and other effects. Here are some photos of the actual mural in the restaurant.







Like it? Do like my Facebook page CSZ Doodle Art (facebook.com/CSZdoodles/) and in my DeviantArt account @resurrect97

Zamboanga Mural Painting Competition

Summer na Zamboanga is all about the youth, sports, dance, fashion, music and most specially, the arts! In 2016, the City Special Events team introduced the 1st Chalk Art Competition in line with the celebration of Dia de Ma'am Caling, the Birth Anniversary of Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat on April 26. The competition was successful but it rained right after the competition and the artworks faded after a few days. To preserve the artworks, we decided to change the format of the competition. Instead of chalk art, the teams will create a Mural artwork. When you say mural, what comes in mind is a concrete wall in the public. However, to make the art easier to carry around and display to various venues, we decided that the paintings will be in large framed canvas (4x8 feet). Fifteen teams registered and took the challenge and they have to create a huge painting for only three days. The theme is "I Love Zamboanga City."

Click on the photo for larger view

This competition is also a collaborative artwork. When all of their paintings are arranged side by side, a bigger picture of Zamboanga will appear. I was the one who designed the template and the team drew lots to determine which panel will be assigned to them. The contest proper was held at Jardin Maria Clara, Pasonanca starting April 24, and culminating in April 26 during the Dia de Maam Caling. So here are the 15 mural painting entries. Check out the paranorama view of all the artworks side by side.

Here are the winners of the 1st Mural Painting Competition:

1st Place


2nd Place

3rd Place.

Congratulations to all winners! Can't wait for next year!

Madre y Niño

This month, we celebrate Women's Month to give honour to all the women in our life. They may be our workmates, our friends, our teachers, our sisters or even our Mother. Women in general are the heart of the society. They provide compassion, love and care for us. This celebration also aims to campaign against violence to women and children and gender equality.

I created this artwork, "Madre y Niño", especially for our Mayor, Ma'am Beng, who asked me to make an artwork for her which she will give as gifts for her special visitors. This artwork maybe interpreted in different ways but the central message is the love and care of a mother to her child. Personally, I see this work in my relationship between me and my mama. She truly is a super mom to me who did everything to provide for us four siblings. She is the light that guides us which made us who we are today. And I am forever grateful that I have her in my life.



In my 2 years in public service, I see Ma'am Beng as our mother and our leader in this city. The Zamboangueños especially the children is her first priority. That's why she really made Build Back Better Zamboanga possible after the famous siege. In her three years as the mayor, we really felt the development in the city despite the struggles and difficulties.

This artwork is also an ode to the Zamboanga culture. The city's patroness is La Virgen del Pilar which was introduced to Zamboanga by the Spaniards during the construction of the Fort "Real Fuerza de San Jose". The city celebrates the "Fiesta Pilar" or Zamboanga Hermosa Festival in her honor during October. The image of La Virgen del Pilar depicts Mary with the child Jesus in her left arm who has a dove sitting on his left palm. I really like the symbolism of the dove. According to religious studies, the dove represents the Holy Spirit. Universally, it represents peace, which us Zamboangueños long for.

Happy Women's month to everyone!

79th Dia dela Ciudad de Zamboanga

79th Dia de la Ciudad de Zamboanga
Calendar of Activities

February 4, Thursday
12th National Dental Health Month

February 9, Tuesday
Dia de Sen. Roseller T. Lim

February 21, Sunday, 5PM
Zumba Corazon
Centro Pastoral Convention Center

February 24, Wednesday, 1PM
City-Wide Open Cheerdance Competition
Drum and Lyre Competition (High School Level)
Vitaliano Agan Coliseum

February 25, Thursday, 7PM
Achievers' Night
Centro Latino

February 26, Friday, 5:30AM
WMSU College of Law: PaLAWro 2016 Fun Run
CityMall Tetuan to WMSU

February 26, Friday, 3PM
Grand Civic-Military Parade
79th Dia de la Ciudad de Zamboanga Main Program
Fire Station to Paseo del Mar

February 26-28, Friday-Sunday
Zamboanga Open Invitational Bowling Tournament
Tebi and Sean Recreational Center

February 26, Friday, 6PM
Globe Alegria na Zamboanga
Paseo del Mar

February 28, Sunday, 1PM
Juicy Cologne Inter-school Dance Competition
WMSU Gymnasium

February 28, Sunday
100th Birth Anniversary of Mayor Cesar C. Climaco

February 29, Monday, 8AM
Speak Out Zamboanga Forum: 
5th Cesar Climaco Young Leaders Assembly
Centro Latino, Paseo del Mar

For updates, like the facebook page Zoom In: Zamboanga City or Zamboanga Hermosa Festival