A single dot may seem insignificant on a blank canvas, but for Janice Abungan Orara, an artist from Sitio Malempec, Barangay Ranao, in Bani, Pangasinan, that dot became a turning point, a symbol of resilience and a foundation of an advocacy that inspires people.
As a mother of three and a wife of a construction worker, Orara’s life has never been easy.
Before she became a full-time artist, her family relied on farming, as her husband also worked at a construction site, with income barely enough to sustain her family’s needs.
Aside from financial struggles, Orara also battles severe anemia, rheumatic heart disease, severe asthma, and an allergy to paint, making daily life challenging and her passion difficult to pursue.
To make matters worse, Orara also experienced depression during the pandemic.
“I found art as an avenue to cope,” she shared.
Orara’s love for art began with impressionism, and she soon discovered pointillism, a technique that later became her tool for advocacy.
Pointillism, in painting, is the practice of applying small strokes or dots of color to a surface so that from a distance they visually blend together.
Through pointillism, Orara’s way of coping with depression was transformed into an art advocacy called “Tuldukan,” which aims to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.
Before Orara’s pointillism pieces gained recognition, she faced criticism and rejection, with people dismissing her work and even belittling her art.
But everything changed when she decided to auction one of her small paintings.
She initially hoped to sell it for P500, just enough to buy food for her family.
However, to her surprise, the bids kept increasing—first P800, next P1,000, and then P4,500.
“This changed everything. I asked for just enough to buy one kilo of rice and a dish for my family, but God gave me more than what I needed,” she recalled, adding how that single sale renewed her faith, proving that her art had value and meaning.
From then on, Orara pursued her passion with even greater purpose.
Today, she is now in her second year as a full-time visual artist, a milestone that once seemed impossible.
She said that through her art, she has been able to build a simple home for her family and even graduated from being a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Through art, she wanted to inspire other 4Ps members to persevere and hope for a brighter future.
Her dedication and talent have also been recognized in the art community, as she recently won in the representational category at the regional art fair held in Alaminos City, Pangasinan.
Marking another significant step in her artistic journey, Orara, through the Tagnawa Group of Creatives – a group of creative artists in Bani, Pangasinan, is set to participate in an international cultural exchange program in South Korea.
Orara also expressed her gratitude to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which plays a crucial role in ensuring that artists like her receive the support they need to grow and showcase their talents and gain market access.
Through the Republic Act No. 11904, or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, DTI-Region 1 Director Merlie Membrere said the government is making a concerted effort to work together to support local creatives, reinforcing their role in economic growth.
“Our government offices are already making a concerted effort to work together because we only want to achieve one thing—to lift micro-entrepreneurs out of poverty and level them up,” Membrere said.
Artists like Orara, DTI and other government agencies that support the creative industry have encouraged them to step forward, showcase their work, and build sustainable careers.
“To the art community – never stop creating. Just keep painting. Sometimes we get tired, but we don’t stop. To the agencies that believe in us—thank you for giving us the chance to share our stories. Your support fuels our passion and keeps the art industry alive,” she said.
She also emphasized to the younger generation the importance of faith.
“Always put God first. When you feel lost, go back to why you started. It will help you turn negativity into something positive,” she added.
Her journey from depression to advocacy proves that art is not just about talent – it is about resilience, purpose, and the courage to turn pain into something beautiful.
Through “Tuldukan,” Orara has not only made her mark on the canvas but also on the hearts of those who find solace and strength in her story. (AMB/EMSA/RDPP, PIA Pangasinan)
