Art from the Heart
From the vibrant community in Pinagsama, Taguig City, 22 year-old young artist Ian Christopher Onrubia transforms his passion for art into an instrument of hope for families needing decent homes.
As his way of giving back this holiday season, Ian volunteered his time and used his talent to create beautiful artwork for Habitat for Humanity Philippines’ Cards for Homes campaign. His artwork, entitled “Dear Santa,” shows a hand seemingly unfolding a piece of paper with a family figure and a house coming out of it as strokes of vivid hues fill the cover of the greeting card.
“My artwork portrays a kid’s dream that slowly becomes a reality as he grows up,” Ian said. The description of his artwork adds, “It captures the warmth and joy of childhood, filled with vibrant colors and playful design. It reflects the simple happiness of a family, love, imagination, nostalgia, and the magic of the holidays.”
A fresh Magna Cum Laude graduate with a degree in Information Technology, Ian discovered his love for the arts through the motivation and recognition of people around him. It blossomed from simple doodles to more complex creations as he participated in school competitions. He also won first place and the People’s Choice award in Habitat Philippines’ 2022 Habit-ART Urban October art competition for his ‘Gates of Tomorrow’ painting.
“Through art, you can express your emotions. You can be free and do what you want with your art. It doesn’t matter if it’s beautiful or not, as long as you’re able to do it,” said Ian, whose artistic journey culminated in significant achievements.
Aside from painting, Ian has grown fond of filmmaking. He and his team previously won an award for a film advocating women’s rights, which he considers his biggest achievement so far because of its connection to his roots and the community that nurtured him. Ian’s life in the community truly bears significance in his art.
Ian grew up in a community that his parents helped build in partnership with Habitat Philippines. His family has been living in the community for almost two decades now. He only remembers seeing their old house in photos and through the stories of his parents. His family used to live with a lot of relatives. The house was crowded, and they did not have a private space. Moving into a new community gave his family a more comfortable place and a sense of belonging.
“My core childhood memory here is spending Christmas with our neighbors. We were always happy,” reminisced Ian, adding, “I remember when we were kids, our neighbors would bring out their food, and we would eat together outside of our home. Sometimes, we would even take summer vacations together.”
Through these childhood experiences, Ian found a strong sense of community and gratitude, which now fuels his artistic endeavors, as shown in “Dear Santa.” It depicts the dreams of children and how they manifest them as they grow up. His art comes from the heart of his community and the importance of having a safe place to call home.
“For me, a home is where you feel most comfortable. When you’re with your colleagues or friends, you become a different person. But when you’re at home with your family, you are free to be yourself,” remarked Ian.
When asked what wishes he has this holiday season, Ian instantly thought of his father, who is an overseas Filipino worker. “Now that I have a job, I wish that I could earn enough so my father won’t have to work overseas anymore, and be home with us.”
But beyond his wishes, Ian dreams of a more peaceful world to live in. Through his art and the spirit of volunteerism, he hopes to encourage more people to support Habitat’s mission so more families like his would have a safe, decent home and a thriving community to belong to. By contributing to the Cards for Homes campaign, he hopes not only to touch hearts but, more importantly, to help make a difference beyond the season.
“Every greeting card you give will not only spark joy for your loved ones, but will also help a lot of people, who dream of having a home,” said Ian.
