A breast-feeding mom’s brush with art

There are many perks for a breast-feeding mom and numerous benefits for a breast-fed child. Breast milk is custom-made and tailored to the needs of infants, mothers can be sure it’s clean, babies can digest it easier than formula and it consists of antibodies that bolster immunity to disease, not to mention it is convenient and free. Every mother wants the best for her baby and breast milk is the best by far.

I am a first-time mother to a baby who was operated on and given a 15-percent chance of survival. Andreas, our son, was born at eight months and diagnosed with full diaphragmatic hernia. His intestines went up to where his heart was supposed to be – his heart had moved to the right, compressing his lungs. He had to undergo a major repair only 11 hours after his birth. His road to life was tough and his survival was unsure.

Andreas needed to fight a lot of complications and breast milk was one of his strongest weapons. I pumped out every drop I could but at the start it was not sufficient. The rest of the supply came from a couple of friends of ours, Jen and Arnie Tablante, whose generosity and good hearts we will never forget. The doctor and I wanted only breast milk for Andreas.

With the help of prayers, doctors and friends, Andreas is now a healthy, eight-month-old baby boy.

Breast-feeding week was from August 1 to 7. In celebration, the Department of Pediatrics of the University of the Philippines-PGH, in cooperation with the Department of Health and World Health Organization, organized an event titled "The Breast-feeding Madonna and Child – An Afternoon with the Masters." It was a live painting session and the artworks were auctioned for the benefit of the breast-feeding activities for mother-infant dyads of the Philippine General Hospital.

When our doctor, Dr. Tita Uy, asked if we would be interested in modeling for this cause, we didn’t think twice. First, it was our chance to help promote breast-feeding and second, it was a rare opportunity to witness the masters of Philippine art at work. It was truly a bonus for Andreas and me.

The live painting session was held last August 1 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the conference room of the Sentro Oftalmologico UP Manila. All the models wore distinct Filipiniana costumes. The artists who participated were Napoleon Abueva, Anita Magsaysay Ho, Araceli Limcaco Dans, Teresita Sarmiento Duldulao, Phyllis Zaballero, Aladin Antiqueño, Janice Luison-Young, Angelo Baldemor, Lell Baldemor, Tito Sanchez, Socorro Paterno, Gig de Pio, Juvenal Sanso, Clarissa Perez, Celia Diaz-Laurel, and Cocoy Laurel.

It was an extraordinary experience, not only for the breast-feeding mothers like me who were fortunate to pose for the masterpieces, but also for everyone present. The models were in an inner circle while the artists took their own positions in the outer circle and started to work. Onlookers silently circled the room, amazed to witness each artist stroke from scratch.

I had a personal encounter as a model for the artists Napoleon Abueva, Teresita Duldulao and Phyllis Zaballero. All of them were extremely patient with Andreas and me. Babies are the hardest models to have as it is almost impossible to have them stay put for a long period of time. Abueva did a sculpture in fiberglass with a bronze finish, Duldulao worked with pastel, while Zaballero worked with charcoal.

I am no art enthusiast. I am only vaguely conversant of who certain artists are, but ignorant as I am in the field of Philippine art, I was still star struck by the artists’ overwhelming talent. The artworks, as expected, were masterpieces. They are truly worthy of their title and our country’s pride.

The artworks were exhibited at the Department of Pediatrics-PGH and were up for a silent auction from August 1 to 5.