Fools Like Me in Mental Health Advocacy

Nov 23, 2019
4 min read

‘Starry Starry Night

Paint your palette blue and gray

Look out on a summer’s day

With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.’

These lines are from an artistic interpretation to an art of another form-Vincent Van Gough’s obra maestra. Each stanza was so beautifully crafted and was so effective in relaying the possible message of the painting. Don Mclean did a very great job depicting the struggle of the Visual Art virtuoso. I wondered if he too, struggled with the stigma, the mental illness or both? Or maybe he witnessed someone close to his heart having a Vincent Van Gough experience.

A Remnant of My Crying Spells: From A Notebook to a Foli0:

L-A poem about crying published by Lathe Student Publication, R-An Artwork of Nino Nino for Salticket2church

Personally, I was once a sufferer whose way to vent out was the stanza of a poem, just like many other fools (like how Joyce Kilmer would call a poet) and hopeless romantics. On the other hand, as many songs and poems were created by people who suffered silently; Are there much creative pieces to encourage or comfort the sufferers? I learned the answer to my question September 2017, when Buhay Movement organized an Open Mic event for Mental Health Awareness. Yes! My first open mic was about Mental Health Awareness and I’ve witnessed so much talents echoing the message #NanditoAko.

From Folio to High Street: #NanditoAko #BuhayMovement

(September 9 2017 @Book Stop BGC)

That open mic, in an open field; was followed by an unintentional performance in a very homey event place with very encouraging people-D’Cup Coffee Republic. I went there just to chill and relax. Soon, I was introduced to a family of independent artists. I’ve been given platforms by Saranggola Productions. I’ve met people met by my craft- either as a sufferer, or as a person who realized that he/she should be a carer. I cannot be more thankful to Raven Vega for being God’s bridge to people of the same faith and heart for mental health and me. A couple of years later, a sister church was also instrumental to echoing the message of hope for Mental Illness thrivors, last year in their Art Fest. It meant a lot to me that it was done in a church, Specially for Salticket2church.

MH Advocacy Whenever There Is mic

(L-Stories from A Rocking Chair @D'Cup Coffe Republic, June 29 2018,

R- Indie Center Stage with Ka- Sarangola's @Arkipelago Makati,

October 18,2018)

The open doors and platforms honed my performing gift, and confidence to join an open mic to another open mic- all to be His mouthpiece to free as much people as possible from Mental Health Stigma and hopelessness. After a hiatus, I stumbled upon an open invitation to join an open mic with the theme #Alpas. There, I met kindred in the arts who suffered, are suffering and are beacons of encouragement to people, particularly to those battling with depression and anxiety. Thereafter, I was invited to join Laya Manila by Kuya Lance Abellon. I had no reason to say no. I wanted it so much but was hesitant if that’s what God wanted. Somehow, after days of asking confirmation from God – I was led to an ‘ages year old’ quiet time that encouraged me to join Open Mics.I was also pointed to the verse that helped me made sense of that Psalm, the very fuel that ignited me to start Salticket2Church. I never thought cleaning my room has this much significance. Kidding aside, I'm glad my room went clean and I learned what God is asking me next.

#ALPAS-An Open Door to Pursue The Freedom

(As an Open Micer with Laya Manila September 28,2019 @ Coffe Stop Cubao)

The Simile that Started it All

(The Philosopher in me asked , How can the tongue be used for writing; until I learned about Spoken Words)

SALTICKET2CHURCH'S Marching Order

(Two years later I received the simile, God shook me with this Scripture in my Devo)

I just said , 'Yes!'.Now, I’ve been enjoined to a family of Artists, aiming to be mouthpieces and pens of hope and freedom; through their individual crafts. And, that is Laya Manila. What amazes me is how God seemed to orchestrate this healing in me, and how I know He can bring healing through me. As HE used poetry to get me through, HE will constantly use poetry to bring hope to you , for as long as He wills; while maybe suffering silently or loudly.

KAIROS-#AnditoLangAko A Time of Affirmation for Mental Health Cause

(L-The Ticket Designed by a GCF, C-Performing Mandirigma as a Member of Laya Manila, R-Performers and Visitors for #AnditoLangAko #TanglawMentalHelath #LayaManila)

Imagine this! Two years ago, I joined my first open mic entitled ‘Nandito AKo’. Who would have thought I’ll be part of a collective where a friend I met in that event, two years ago is a member? What’s more fascinating is that the event they would have with Tanglaw Mental Health, is very dear to me with the theme #AnditoLangAko? ‘Nandito ako’ affirms one’s presence. ‘Andito lang ako’ seems to imply nearness. Perhaps, 2 years ago we wanted people to want to be 'here' to people with mental illness and suicidal ideation. And now, we want to be 'near' both for the carers and sufferers of this most stigmatized set of illnesses.I’m sure it’s not going to be easy to encourage people, to try understanding people suffering mental illnesses, much more spur them to match being intentional with their care. But, nothing is impossible with God.

One very tragic effect of depression is losing interest to things you’ve been so passionate about, like one’s drive to live. What’s ironic is how God caused me so much passion towards people experiencing this illness, that my works of anger and apathy were turned to medium of compassion and hope. As to, how long will I deliver poems and pieces about breaking the stigma and beckoning hope? I’ll keep being a fool as along as it is now. Like the lines of that Don Mclean’s song, that partially hopeful part