{"id":3873,"date":"2024-11-14T18:00:17","date_gmt":"2024-11-14T10:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/energetic-pink-donkey.109-123-235-239.cpanel.site\/artrising-rene-milan-brings-empowerment-to-women-and-children-through-art\/"},"modified":"2024-11-14T18:00:17","modified_gmt":"2024-11-14T10:00:17","slug":"artrising-rene-milan-brings-empowerment-to-women-and-children-through-art","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/energetic-pink-donkey.109-123-235-239.cpanel.site\/?p=3873","title":{"rendered":"#ARTRISING: Rene Milan\u2019s Art Journey Lifts Women And Kids\u2019 Spirits"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sometimes, hobbies can unexpectedly appear in the blink of an eye for a good reason. In Rene Milan\u2019s case, no one influenced him to start drawing\u2014rather, the interest slowly grew within him over time.<\/p>\n

Who would have guessed that a few years later, he would use art to highlight the significance of women? Or that art would be his tool for helping and educating children?<\/p>\n

\"\"
Photoshoot for the New York Fashion Week’s MUSA by Joy Soo’s Madonna and Child Collection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Milan, a full-time visual artist from Davao del Norte, is entirely self-taught. While much of his inspiration stemmed from Filipino cubist Vicente Manansala, muralist Carlos \u201cBotong\u201d Francisco, and contemporary painter Norma Belleza, his biggest inspiration is his mother, Rosita Milan, who worked tirelessly to support their family. <\/p>\n

\u201cDahil sa mama ko, siya ang inspirasyon ko. Kita at ramdam ko ang hirap at pagsisikap niya para maitawid kami sa gutom at kahirapan. Pagod na siya pero lumalaban at nagsisikap [pa rin] para sa pamilya.\u201d<\/p>\n

[\u201cIt is because of my mother; she is my inspiration. I saw and felt her struggles and efforts just to put us out of hunger and poverty. She was already tired but she did not stop fighting and striving hard for her family.\u201d]<\/p>\n

\"\"
Rosita Milan, mother of Rene Milan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Using acrylic, Milan experimented with different art styles, including cubism. His works \u201cPalangga\u201d, \u201cKristo\u201d, and \u201cFaith to Launch Out\u201d are prime examples of his early exploration. However, it was his mother\u2019s life and his own search for a niche that inspired the creation of his \u201cSa Loob ng Bestida\u201d series.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\u201cKristo\u201d (2024)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
\u201cFaith to Launch Out\u201d (2023)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cSa Loob ng Bestida\u201d is a collection of artwork that showcases Filipino dresses from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao while highlighting the role and contributions of women in society.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\u201cSa Loob ng Bestida\u201d (2024)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Milan\u2019s collection, however, is not merely an exhibition of dresses portrayed in diverse colors and shapes, originating from various Filipino cultures\u2014each piece has a story to tell and emotion to uncover.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is all about who is inside the bestida\u2014the dress. Sino siya? Ano ang buhay, istorya, at pagkatao niya?\u201d<\/p>\n

[\u201cIt is all about who is inside the bestida\u2014the dress. Who is she? What\u2019s her life, story, and identity?\u201d]<\/p>\n

\"\"
\u201cSa Loob ng Bestida\u201d (2024)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Milan grew up in \u201ca very poor but happy family\u201d in Tagum City. His humble beginnings taught him to appreciate even the smallest things, which in turn sparked his curiosity and ambition.<\/p>\n

\u201cNapakahirap ng buhay at [nakita] ko \u2018yon sa sitwasyon namin lalo na sa pagod at hirap ng mga magulang ko. In that point of time, natuto akong i-appreciate ang mga bagay-bagay gaano man ito kaliit o kakunti. Nagsimula akong mangarap,\u201d he expressed.<\/p>\n

[\u201cLife was hard and I witnessed it through our family situation, especially with the sacrifices of my parents. In that point of time, I learned to appreciate things no matter how small or few they might be. I started to dream.\u201d]<\/p>\n

\"\"
\u201cSa Loob ng Bestida\u201d (2024)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was in elementary school when Milan\u2019s appreciation for art first thrived. He was always filled with eagerness when he was given assignments and class activities that involved drawing but, the turning point in his artistic journey came when he pursued a Commerce degree at Aces Tagum College.<\/p>\n

During a Marketing Day event, as a major in Management Accounting, his class was tasked to create an original product they could sell. Due to his family\u2019s situation, he decided to do a do-it-yourself project instead by creating artwork made from his recycled uniform, oil pastel, and DIY frame made by his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the day of the event, akin lang \u2018yong kakaiba, hindi pagkain. The good thing lang is [sold] ang mga gawa ko,\u201d he recalls, stressing that the art industry does indeed have financial potential, contrary to popular belief. <\/p>\n

[\u201cOn the day of the event, only mine was different. The good thing was that I was able to sell them.\u201d]<\/p>\n

\"\"
\u201cAwit ng Masaganang Pagsasaka\u201d (2024)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Milan worked as a manager in a private company for 8 years before becoming the executive assistant to the city councilor of his hometown. Although his term was supposed to last 3 years, he stepped down after 6 months to pursue a full-time career in the arts in 2020.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarami lang talagang beses na naghahanap ang kamay ko ng paint brush, namiss ko ang pagpinta,\u201d he said whenever he felt the longing to do art.<\/p>\n

[\u201cThere were just many times when my hands were searching for a paintbrush; I missed painting.”]<\/p>\n

\"\"
Rene Milan working on \u201cAwit ng Masaganang Pagsasaka\u201d (2024)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Recognizing women’s empowerment through paintings is not just Milan\u2019s forte, he also finds fulfillment in educating and helping children. In 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he launched the #ProjectLikha initiative in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.<\/p>\n

\"\"
#ProjectLikha spelled out with slippers given to children<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Rene Milan with children for #ProjectLikha<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With the help of humble supporters, he not only gives toys, slippers, school supplies, and food to Indigenous children but also teaches them art. The project supports the Indigenous children and their parents, as well as schools in the municipality.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Rene Milan teaching art in school for #ProjectLikha<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hobbies and interests are more than just ways to spend leisure time for pleasure; they can also serve as tools for raising awareness of a cause. Milan manifested this through his \u201cSa Loob ng Bestida\u201d series and #ProjectLikha advocacy\u2014proving that art can empower women and support children\u2019s ambitions and education. <\/p>\n

\"\"
Rene Milan with Indigenous People for #ProjectLikha<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Milan\u2019s journey to achieving these manifestations revolves around sheer dedication. While some artists stretch a single task over several days and months, he refuse to leave an artwork unfinished for more than a day. To do this successfully, however, he makes sure he is well-rested. For him, rest is essential for creativity. <\/p>\n

\u201cAside from rest, artists must also go out and have fun. Breathe some fresh air [and] spend great and quality time together with [their] family. Work hard but never forget that artists are humans as well. Let\u2019s enjoy what God has blessed us with,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Rene Milan working on his art series \u201cSa Loob ng Bestida\u201d (2024)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Milan consistently demonstrates his dedication well. Proof of this includes the fact that several of his works were used in designer runway collections at the House of MUSA – The Musa Fabric by Joy Soo; twice during New York Fashion Week in June and September 2022 and once during Thailand Fashion Week in July 2024\u2014feats that he considers among his proudest.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Rene Milan with the MUSA models of the Thailand Fashion Week\u2019s Sinina Collection in the Runway for a Cause at Tagum City<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When asked about the valuable lesson he learned as an artist, Milan says, \u201dArtists must save money and must know how to handle their finances. Kapag may pumasok na pera, the first thing to do is to set aside a portion to save. \u2018Yong sobra \u2018yon na \u2018yong i-budget mo for your needs and other expenses. Dahil not all the time merong papasok na commission o kaya sales from our work.\u201d<\/p>\n

[\u201cWhen money comes in, the first thing to do is set aside a portion for savings. The remaining budget should be allocated to your needs and other expenses, as money or sales from commissions won\u2019t always be consistent.\u201d]<\/p>\n

\"\"
\u201cDivine Connections\u201d exhibit at Art Camp, Greenbelt, Makati City<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Presently, Milan is working on medium- and large-sized commission works titled \u201cAwit ng Masaganang Pagsasaka\u201d, \u201cSarimanok\u201d, and \u201cBlooms\u201d. He also held his most recent exhibition \u201cDivine Connections\u201d from October 25 to November 6, 2024, at Art Camp Makati.<\/p>\n

Photo courtesy of Rene Milan<\/credit><\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Art was his escape, but through it, Rene Milan found a calling\u2014to honor women and uplift children, proving that creativity can change the world, one brushstroke at a time. #ARTRISING<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3874,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3873","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-the-great-filipino-story"],"pageone_source":{"pageone_source":"","author_name":"PAGEONE Online Network"},"_pageone_source":"","zyndk8_nxtgen_metadata":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/energetic-pink-donkey.109-123-235-239.cpanel.site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3873","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/energetic-pink-donkey.109-123-235-239.cpanel.site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/energetic-pink-donkey.109-123-235-239.cpanel.site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/energetic-pink-donkey.109-123-235-239.cpanel.site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/energetic-pink-donkey.109-123-235-239.cpanel.site\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3873"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/energetic-pink-donkey.109-123-235-239.cpanel.site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3873\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/energetic-pink-donkey.109-123-235-239.cpanel.site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3874"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/energetic-pink-donkey.109-123-235-239.cpanel.site\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3873"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/energetic-pink-donkey.109-123-235-239.cpanel.site\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3873"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/energetic-pink-donkey.109-123-235-239.cpanel.site\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3873"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}