In a small, sunlit studio where the aroma of fresh paint mingles with the gentle hum of a vintage radio, someone transcends the daily grind and seeks solace in his weary soul.

Meet Roel G. Cabulang, a former healthcare professional from Biliran, who discovered the remarkable healing properties of art during his battle with grief and depression.

Shadow of Despair

Roel takes his seat in front of an empty canvas. His hands shivered as he dipped a paintbrush and splashed the midnight black and somber blue onto the canvas.

The splattered hues trigger his inner memories, leading back to 2021. Three close friends with whom he had shared countless memories succumbed to the insidious grip of suicide.

This heart-wrenching loss was followed by another devastating blow when his beloved mother, a pillar of strength and the center of his universe, passed away just a year later.

Roel was haunted by these traumatic memories, engulfing him in a sea of grief and depression. The unspoken pain he felt from each departure carved a deeper hole in his heart.

Artistic Awakening

Amidst the darkness, a glimmer of hope emerged. Roel turned to abstract art, a medium that had always fascinated him but had remained unexplored.

He began experimenting with colors, shapes, and textures, allowing his emotions to flow freely onto the canvas. The act of painting became a refuge, a sanctuary where he could channel his pain into something beautiful and meaningful.

“I pour my heart out and energy into every work I create,” Roel explained. “More often than not, my tears fall onto the canvas while creating and get embedded with the medium.”

Roel's abstract works are a captivating blend of colors that range from vibrant and lively to dark and brooding. Each piece tells a story, reflecting his inner struggles, and is a visual diary of his healing journey.

The swirls of paint represent the turbulent emotions, while the contrasting hues symbolize the highs and lows of his experience.

Roel is unorthodox in his approach to artmaking. His style is distinctly unconventional, creating unpredictable and thought-provoking art.

He manipulates materials like acrylics and mixed media on canvas to give his paintings a robust physical presence, showing visual dynamism.

Support for Creative Professionals

Recognizing creative professionals like Roel, the Department of Trade and Industry Region 8 (DTI-8) launched a project called “FiestaKucha: Philippine Regional Creative Festivals” at Guinciaman Farm, San Miguel, Leyte, on September 14, 2023.

This event served as a platform for celebrating, promoting, and enriching the diversity of talent and creativity in the country's various regions.

"Eastern Visayas, known for its cultural richness and artistic flare, has been a beacon for creative expression in the Philippines. Fiestakucha in Leyte celebrates the creative spirit of this region while highlighting the significance of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act as a driving force for economic growth," DTI-8 Regional Director Celerina Bato said.

Roel’s commitment to supporting the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act makes his artistic journey even more commendable. This groundbreaking legislation seeks to bolster the creative sector in the Philippines, recognizing the economic and cultural significance of art, design, and other creative pursuits.

Art as an advocacy

Roel's story doesn't end with personal recovery. He extended his help to the communities even before the traumatic events in his life. He built a fully operational school in 2015 with 145 kids in Uganda, a landlocked country in East Africa.

He plans to build another school next year in Rwanda, in the Great Rift Valley of Central Africa. Another project he wanted to pursue was to build 1,000 mini-libraries in secluded areas in the Philippines, and its initial implementation plan is in the Province of Biliran.

All these initiatives were made possible through Roel’s art funding, as he committed and continued to empower the community up until this year.

“How I wish I could inspire other artists to do the same for them to realize that there is so much power in art. They can utilize their talent to build a community,” Roel said, expressing his persuading statement to artists.

Likewise, his active involvement in art exhibitions and cultural immersion brought his art to the States, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Korea, and soon to Japan.

Art as a Therapy

Roel's journey is a reminder that amidst life's most profound challenges, the human spirit can find resilience and renewal through the transformative power of art.

According to Girija Kaimal, an associate professor in the Creative Arts Therapies Department at Drexel University and president-elect of the American Art Therapy Association, art provides a way to communicate experiences when individuals lack verbal skills or when words are insufficient, using artistic expression as an imaginative tool for adapting to changing conditions and solving problems.

Roel’s abstract works serve as a beacon of hope and a testament to the healing potential within each of us, waiting to be unlocked by the brush stroke or the embrace of color.

“Art in my life is vital because it is my outlet whenever I want to express my emotions,” Roel said.

 “I believed in the therapeutic effects and benefits of art, so whenever I go into depression, I turn to art as my way of expressing myself, diverting my emotions through art instead of thinking about self-harm.”

As Roel continues exploring the world of abstract art, his story inspires all, a reminder that even in the darkest times, creativity can shine through, illuminating the path to recovery, renewal, and healing. (MMP/AAC/PIA Leyte)

In case you or someone you're acquainted with needs help, you may contact the National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline at 1553 or 1800-1888-1553 (Nationwide landline toll-free), or reaching out to 0917-899-8727 or 0966-351-4518 (Globe/TM) or 0908-639-2672 (Smart/Sun/TNT). Additionally, you may also contact the DOH Health Promotions Bureau at hpb@doh.gov.ph or call 8651-7800 local 2830, 2825. You may also reach out to the DOH Communication Unit at dohosec@doh.gov.ph or call 8651-7800 local 1136, or the DOH Special Care Division at mhd@doh.gov.ph or call 8651-7800 local 1733.