More often than not, first-time experiences carry with them heart-fluttering feelings.
But for photographer-turned-painter Jayson Vicente-Isaac, his inaugural solo art exhibit ascribed to much more than that.
Read: Jayson Vicente, ibinahagi ang wedding march nila ng yumaong partner na si Raymund Isaac
Set to take place from September 30 to October 10, 2023 at the Admiral Hotel Manila, Jayson's exhibit titled FIDEM embarks on a profound journey that offers solace and optimism in an unwavering pursuit of healing.
A STORY ABOUT HOPE
Translated as "faith" in the English language, Latin word "fidem" was Jayson's love letter to a pivotal piece of his life when he clung to the slimmest strands of hope.
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Jayson and his partner, renowned advertising and fashion photographer Raymund Isaac, ventured to the United States with the intention of starting a new chapter as a married couple.
But as fate would have it, this romantic tale encountered an inevitable adversary, given the global circumstances at that time.
Just two days after their wedding, both Raymund and Jayson had unfortunately contracted the virus.
By the sixth day, while Jayson fought off the novel respiratory disease, Raymund's symptoms escalated, leading to his hospitalization.
Holding back his tears, Jayson recounted, "Parang teleserye [na] gagawin mo lahat para sa asawa mo.
"Yung Filipino nurse, pinuslit ako para makapasok sa ICU. May suot na PPE, mask, and ID, dun niya ako dinaan sa staff area.
"Alam ko na kapag nakita ako ng asawa ko, lalakas loob niya. And that’s what happened."
He related how he would spend 10 to 12 hours every time he was in the ICU, just making the most out of every second he gets to be with Raymund.
Mentioning a moving anecdote from the times he did this, he said, "He [Raymund] touched my face and said, 'You're the best thing that ever happened to me.'
"'You're the best thing that happened to me,'" Jayson repeated, cherishing the statement that perpetually stuck with him to this day.
After 43 days, the celebrated luminary succumbed to the virus and rested in peace on September 3, 2021.
BIRTH OF "FIDEM"
During the nearly two months that Raymund battled the virus, Jayson found himself seeking solace in the images of saints and idols, which he referred to as his "steadfast companions."
Over time, a spectrum of saints, idols, and prayers were added to the list for intercession—patron saints for healing and emergencies were prominently on display at Jayson's temporary abode.
These figures and prayers are now immortalized in his paintings, a gesture of gratitude that became the genesis of FIDEM.
The 16-piece art exhibition is classified into three parts—silent idols from church altars, thumb paintings on wood, and the wake portraits.
For the first part, he pays homage to the Black Nazarene, the Divine Mercy, and Our Lady of Guadalupe, naming the paintings accordingly.
Meanwhile, the thumb painting on wood saw intricate parts from the religious figures: St. Expeditus, Mother Teresa, St. Joseph, Pedro Calungsod, Sto. Niño, Our Lady of Lourdes, Padre Pio, and the Sacred Heart.
Magnified details of buttons, zippers, prints, and fabrics adorn the wake portraits which are named 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, signifying the consecutive losses, from Jayson's parents to Raymund's mother and younger brother.
Completing the exhibit is the only piece not for sale, titled Eat Shit and Die.
According to Jayson, it was the only piece that he started when Raymund was still alive.
As to what he wishes to convey to spectators of his work, he candidly revealed, "I want them to be more hopeful in life.
"And be more like, yung perspective sa life nila, parang, 'Ah, kaya ni Jayson so kaya ko rin.'
"Be more hopeful. And I don't want to say faithful because I don't want to impose religion like, 'Okay, maging madasalin ka three times a day.
"No, no, no, no, no," he guaranteed.
"I'm not like that. It's just, you have to be hopeful and you have to be kind to this painting.
"Hopeful and kind."
Read: "Premature postings" sa pagkamatay ni Raymund Isaac, ikinadismaya ng mister niyang si Jayson Vicente
EVERLASTING IMPACT
Two years later, Jayson affirms that his fondest memories of Raymund transcend a lifetime.
"It's really like every single moment of my life now, I always remember him," he expressed.
"I don't have the agenda to forget him. He's always here. All of them is here.
"Everything that I do, everyday, is connected with him."
In fact, even Jayson's first inspiration to paint was sparked after he watched Raymund interviewing Filipino artist Marina Cruz to collaborate for a charity.
As it turns out, Marina and her husband, fellow artist Rodel Tapaya, became Jayson's biggest influence when it comes to painting: "I'm in love with their work.
"She [Marina] inspires me. Siya yung nag-trigger that I have to do the painting.
"The influence of my painting is because of that couple," he added.
"They inspire me because napaka-humble nila e. Sobrang humble. Beautiful people.
"Na parang you want to see them, na parang 'Ah, thank you so much for inspiring me.'
"And they have to know that," he declared.
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