Adobo Magazine Feature of the Forest Blooms Ph Collaboration (2020)
My work with Forest Foundation Philippines was featured recently on Adobo Magazine. Hope you can read the full interview, here. 🙂
Free Philippine Forest Trees Wallpaper for Earth Day 2020
Happy Earth Day! Even in this time of Covid-19, let’s also think about the steps we can take to protect the home that has nurtured us since we were born. It can be as simple as reducing (if not, completely avoiding) the use of single-use plastic, walking instead of taking your car, supporting our farmers and forest watchers, recycling / repurposing old items instead of throwing them away, and composting kitchen waste, among others. A healthy environment can also care for us more efficiently as we fight this pandemic together.
Also taking this moment to spread the love for our Philippine native trees and their importance in forest conservation and protection. Without our forests, our food and water security will be compromised andof course we can’t allow that to happen especially during this very challenging period.
Sharing these desktop and mobile wallpapers featuring some of the fruit-bearing trees that Forest Foundation Philippines and I showcased in our ongoing #ForestFruitsPh project.You can download them straight from FFP’s site, provided through the links below. Feel free to share them with your friends, hopefully along with the message of conservation. 🙂
Download from Forest Foundation Philippines:
#ForestTreesPh desktop wallpaper (2880 x 1800)
#ForestTreesPh mobile wallpaper (750 x 1334)
A wonderful encounter with broadcast journalist, Mr. Howie Severino
I’ve known veteran and well-respected documentarist and journalist Mr. Howie Severino for a long time, but only in the way that most people know him — by name, and through his body of work. I’ve never met him in person. Therefore it took me by surprise a couple of weeks ago when I saw that he had followed me on Instagram. His IG was on private, but I requested to follow back anyway because… why not? 😀
At that time, it hadn’t been publicized that he unfortunately contracted Covid-19, and I only learned about it when he accepted my follow request and I got to see the photos on his feed. He also sent me this very touching direct message, and with his permission, I shared the gist of our encounter with my private list on IG Stories, and a few days later, on Twitter. Reposting the thread below for documentation.
https://twitter.com/arncyn/status/1250628657527193600?s=20
While trying to deal with pandemic-related uncertainty, stress, and anxiety, I’ve been thinking on and off if art ~ the only thing I can do – had any use at all, but Sir Howie’s message (above) made me see its worth even at a time like this.
Sir Howie also showed me an awesome photo of him, his wife, and son, posing by the roots of a huge Dao tree and wondered if he could commission me to draw it. I don’t accept portrait commissions anymore, but this was different. Around that time, his essays, “Ako si Patient 2828” and “The Anti-virus Warriors in My Blood” had already been published on the GMA website, and I read both of them in one sitting.
While drawing, I kept thinking that there’s no way I can accept any payment after he had been through so much suffering. It was going to be my gift for all the good he has done, and is doing – undergoing even more tests in the name of medical research, and continuing to share what he knows in order to help others.
After I told him, he sent yet another touching message.
https://twitter.com/arncyn/status/1250629901880705025?s=20
If there’s anything I will remember during these past 1.5 months of extreme-whatever lockdown, this experience would be it. In case you get to read this, thank you, Sir Howie. I’m actually the one who received a “gift” through our encounter because it has inspired me all the more to keep creating and helping in any way possible. 🙂
Edit (April 24, 2020): I just learned that our exchange was also featured in an article on the GMA News website.
Let’s help the Ipo Watershed Bantay Gubat, protectors of Metro Manila’s source of water
Along with WWF Philippines, I am inviting you to help support our forest frontliners, the Bantay Gubat. Our water security relies greatly on them, and in these times of pandemic, we know just how important it is to have clean water at the ready. (I mean, how do we wash our hands without a supply of fresh water? How will our healthcare workers care for patients efficiently without it, right? We normally take our water supply for granted because it’s there everyday, not knowing that unsung heroes working behind the scenes also need our help. ( I wasn’t aware as well until I learned all about what they do so I am sharing it here.)
These rangers tirelessly patrol and monitor the Ipo watershed, a vital link in the Angat-Umiray-Ipo watersheds system that supplies about 96% of our water needs in Metro Manila, and they are in dire need of our support.
Bantay Gubat are not only responsible for protecting the watershed, they also help in forest and biodiversity conservation as they go about their rounds, checking for invasive species and signs of illegal activity. However, they can’t do this efficiently when they are lacking in equipment, and this is where we can help.
Please go to https://bit.ly/help-bantay-
P.s. I have gifts for you ~
As a humble token of appreciation, I prepared exclusive desktop and mobile wallpapers featuring Philippine endemic forest birds for you kind-hearted nature nurturers! Just leave a comment below or send me a note if you’ve donated and I will send you the link to the high-res files. 🙂
Filipino motivational wallpapers and eCards featuring native flowers
How are you holding up during this challenging period? Very grateful to the people holding the fort – our frontliners who are bravely risking their lives in service of the community and our country. Also trying to do my part – however small – by donating whenever and whatever I can, practicing physical distancing, and doing my best to stay healthy for the sake of my loved ones.
Last week, I posted my postcard that says “Kapit lang” (“Hang in there”) on Instagram and Facebook and received feedback that it could make a nice desktop wallpaper too — so here they are. They come in three sizes – one for desktop, one for mobile, and an eCard sized one for sending to friends and loved ones. 🙂
Download links:
Kapit Lang desktop wallpaper (2880 x 1800)
Kapit Lang mobile wallpaper (750 x 1334)
Kapit Lang eCard (700 x 438)
I also made another one that asks, “Kaya pa?” (loosely translated, “Can you still handle it?”) and it comes in all sizes too.
Download links:
Kaya pa? desktop wallpaper (2880 x 1800)
Kaya pa? mobile wallpaper (750 x 1334)
Kaya pa? eCard (700 x 438)
If you think these could cheer up someone you know especially at this time of uncertainty, please feel free to share these with them too. 🙂
Both designs feature flowers of Philippine native trees and plants. Can you name any or all of them?
If you want to receive a message when I have new freebies (downloadables, printables), you can leave a comment below, and don’t forget to tick the box. I promise not to use your address for anything else except for announcing when there’s something new. 🙂
Recent Comments