ALBAY, Philippines – The debris still clung to roads, and in many villages, homes lay in tatters, remnants of lives swept away by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. But even as communities struggled with physical loss, another battle persisted: the emotional toll etched in the faces of survivors, who now sifted through memories as fractured as the ruins surrounding them.
A group of Bikolano artists decided to take their work beyond canvases and clay. They brought their tools directly to the people, setting up makeshift stations in some of the hardest-hit areas.
Food packs were delivered with each visit, but the artists carried more than physical sustenance; they aimed to offer a way to untangle the lingering trauma, using art as an unlikely but potent remedy for post-storm shock.
Deejai Tanji, Albay’s provincial art consultant, explained how artists can help victims cope with painful experiences through art relief programs. She said the initiative allows those affected by the disaster to freely express their emotions, which they may struggle to do verbally due to difficult memories.
“We need a technique to assess their emotional well-being because of how difficult their experience was caused by the recent disaster. We need to understand what they are experiencing and what is in their thoughts…. Of course, we believe it is through art,” Tanji said.
Most of the children who participated in art relief programs illustrated how traumatic it was for them to be trapped by life-threatening floodwater. The majority of these children were also displaced because the flash floods destroyed entire houses.
Art vs trauma
Asked how art relief works, Ken Andrei Cuarto, a licensed psychometrician and psychology professor at the Divine World College of Legazpi, said it can be a good way to cope with trauma or lessen impairing stress, especially since most victims are unable to talk much about their experiences due to discomfort or shyness.
“When someone’s creating art, it helps their body and mind feel safer and more relaxed. Think of it like giving your emotions a chance to come out on paper or canvas instead of keeping them bottled up inside,” Cuarto explained.
According to him, it can allow people to express their sadness or other emotions without feeling awkward.
Research studies have also confirmed that it can be particularly beneficial for those who are overwhelmed by emotions as a result of what they witnessed after a disaster.
He added: “Sometimes talking about tough experiences can be overwhelming, but drawing, painting, or sculpting can make it feel more manageable. Plus, it’s pretty amazing how many people find peace and healing through art when traditional therapy doesn’t work for them or may be inaccessible at the moment.”
The Department of Health (DOH) in Bicol, through its mental health unit, has also implemented art relief programs for disaster victims. In collaboration with the Psychological Association of the Philippines-Bicol Chapter, they’ve been providing “psychological first aid to disaster-stricken victims.”
Cuarto said that by default, they restrict the provision of psycho-emotional treatment to licensed and capable experts who have had adequate training to perform such interventions.
“Allowing volunteers to administer these interventions without the necessary qualifications causes more harm than good. At best, volunteers should establish mechanisms that allow for quick and easy referrals to these professionals,” he said.
Bicol art movement
Inspired by how art can drive positive change, Bicolano artists have raised funds by selling their work and donating the proceeds to those in need. Some even launched fundraising campaigns, collecting funds to support non-governmental groups or fund their own relief efforts.
Meanwhile, PedXing KoLab is an annual showcase of new, untested plays by Bikolano playwrights, similar to the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Virgin LabFest but focused on the region. The name “KoLab” reflects the collaborative and experimental nature of the event.
Unlike past cycles held in December, PedXing VII will be staged this year in November. Julie DM Bega, a senior artist at Sining Banwa, announced that proceeds from the event will support art relief initiatives for victims of Tropical Storm Kristine.
“Pedxing’s proceeds will go towards providing art relief to the community. Every centavo will be used to help children and the youth receive psychosocial interventions this coming December,” Bega said.
She said that, in addition to preparing for PedXing, they are conducting relief operations to meet the immediate needs of the communities before starting art relief efforts.
She said volunteers in relief programs could provide intermission activities, like music or dance performances, to offer psychosocial support and remind victims they are not alone in their recovery from the physical and emotional challenges of a disaster.
Cuarto said, “I agree with how relief operations should be augmented with psychosocial interventions because recovery doesn’t start and end when people are given donations. By incorporating psychosocial interventions, we allow victims to slowly but surely transition to recovery.” – Rappler.com
Reinnard Balonzo is a senior journalism student at Bicol University-College of Arts and Letters. An Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow of Rappler for 2024, he is also chairperson of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines-Bicol.