CALAMBA, Misamis Occidental (PIA) – Moving past realism, an artist in Calamba Misamis Occidental explores surrealism where he combines whimsy, bold colors, and beyond-reality concepts through his series of rock formations that show balance in an ever-changing landscape.
In a special episode of Let’s Talk MisOcc, a virtual talk show hosted and organized by the Philippine Information Agency Misamis Occidental for National Arts Month, surrealist artist Roy Leo ‘Long’ Lorono of Calamba, Misamis Occidental, shared his goal of spreading positivity through art.
“Gituyo gyud nako ni siya nga colors, nga vibrant as much as possible kay random colors lang gihapon na siya pero gituyo nako nga warm colors siya kay murag gusto lang nko i-celebrate ang positivity vibes nga positive imong mabati dili mora’g magu-ol ka inig lantaw nimo,” he shared.
(I intend to use vibrant, warm colors to evoke positivity and joy, ensuring the artwork feels uplifting rather than somber.)
His paintings are inspired by an American sculpture in which an artist stacked rocks in the middle of a desert.
He then adapted this concept by replacing rocks with bahay kubo (nipa huts), piling them up like a staircase leading into the clouds.
Coming back to art
He had to come back to art, he said. After working in a call center company in Cebu following his graduation, a light bulb, more like a reignition of fire, fueled him, reassuring him that it was art all along.
Long saw a group of artists in a gigantic mall in Cebu one day, and just from an observational standpoint, he realized that he was happy there. “Happiness is incomparable when you love what you are doing,” he explained.
From then on, he took a risk, resigned from the call center, and became a full-time artist. “There is indeed a risk,” he said.
“Kadtong didto ko sa call center, syempre regular ang sweldo monthly. Pag undang nko, pag sugod nko sa akong art journey, nag full time na ko. Naa koy mahalin nga paintings, kay naa man koy mga kaila, magpagama, magpa-commission, dili gyud siya regular nga income. Art is not considered a lucrative source of income pero syempre, naa gyud na sa artist or naa gyud na sa tao kung unsaon nimo pagdiskarte,” Long recalled.
(When I worked at the call center, I had a regular monthly salary. However, after I quit and started my art journey, I worked full-time creating expensive paintings.
I also had acquaintances who commissioned my work, but the income was unstable. Art is not generally considered a lucrative source of income, but ultimately, it depends on how the artist approaches it.)
He explained that art has two essential sides: self-expression and business. To thrive, an artist must not only create but also develop the skills to manage the business aspect effectively.
Long admitted that from the start, it was hard, but eventually, he found a way to sustain his art through connections and getting commissioned art, among others. “You will earn a living from art,” he said.
Art in the community
Art has a big role in the community because it can change the mindset of its people. Art is not merely self-expression but a tool to gather the community, especially the youth.
“Akong purpose is mapasa gyud nako akong nahibaw-an sa next generation dinhi sa Calamba,” he said.
(My purpose is to pass on my knowledge to the next generation here in Calamba)
He acknowledged the support of the municipal government in supporting artists’ endeavors in Calamba. He led a group of artists in the area for a painting competition and plans to create more activities for artists. One of which is to make a mural in their center.
There is still a need to introduce art in the area. Long explained that it is a matter of education and intensified advocacy for people to appreciate art.
“Sa atong lugar, kailangan lang gyud og exposure activities about sa art, art events. Mas maayo nga daghan event, monthly ba kaha. Para mabal-an sa tao nga naa di-ay ni nga industry. Ga exist diay ni siya,” he said.
(In our area, we need more exposure and art-related activities, such as regular events—perhaps even monthly. This will help people recognize that the art industry exists.)
It’s okay to pursue art
“It is quite difficult but it’s okay to be an artist. My basic answer on why art? I love doing it,” he assured.
“Kung wala kay gugma sa art, di gyud ka maka-survive, kay dili siya sayon nga path nga imong sudlan. Daghan challenges, then kailangan nimo siya higugmaon, kay art will love you back,” Long said.
(If you don’t have a passion for art, you won’t survive because it’s not an easy path. There are many challenges, so you must truly love it—only then will art love you back.)
The Philippines celebrates National Arts Month (NAM) this February to honor the transformative power of arts in our communities and recognize the brilliance of Filipino artists.
The theme ‘Ani ng Sining: Diwa at Damdamin’ (Harvest of the Arts: Soul and Passion) emphasizes that a nation’s creativity springs from the spirit and passion of its people. (JMOR/PIA10)
