I admit that I don’t have a close affinity with colored pencils, watercolors, oil pastels, paint brushes and the canvas. And it was quite ironic, considering that my Dad makes a living  and my sister earned her college degree by using them.

However, that didn’t stop me from enjoying the arts. I realized that painting and volunteering are in fact  a good combo when I participated in several painting projects.

Classroom Painting and Refurbishing with Coca Cola at Nueve de Pebrero Elementary School, Mandaluyong City

A Hands On Manila 2007 Servathon project, several Coca Cola employees helped improved the learning environment of the students of Nueve de Pebrero Elementary School by repainting their classrooms. I’ve had three firsts for this project: my first time to work as a Servathon Sherpa; my first time to paint walls; and my first time to paint something that is not art-class required.;)

I actually wasn’t able to paint a whole classroom since as a Sherpa, the main task is to assist the Coke volunteers in their needs to perform and complete their projects (e.g. ensure all volunteers have paint brushes and access to paints). But despite of it, the activity was still fun and fulfilling, never mind the hard-to-remove, creme-colored paint stains on our hands and jeans.

Servathon 2007

The Coke Volunteers at Work during the 2007 Servathon

Better Days’ Elderly Art Session

Better Days’ October 2009 activity had the elderly express their aspirations through painting and drawing.  This was actually a therapeutic activity as this happened a month after the devastating typhoon Ondoy which flooded several towns in Metro Manila and Southern Luzon, including the areas where the elderly reside.

It’s good to see the elderly’s artistic side. I even remember one of them saying that it’s as if she was transported back to her high school art class when she drew her dream house. Through that activity, I learned that art knows no age and art sessions are indeed a stress-reliever for the elderly.

The Better Days elderly doing their masterpieces

Mural Painting at Miraculous Medal Family Center

Held last March 2010, former HOM President Ms. Wynn Wynn Ong celebrated her birthday through a mural painting of the Miraculous Medal Multi-Purpose Hall with her family and friends. Since the activity was a first for Miraculous Medal Family Center, the elderly and myself were also enticed to paint flowers and seashells on the underwater- and garden-themed painting session.

Better Days' Nanay Gala painting a flower during the mural painting session