While many of us continue to struggle to cope with the effects brought about by COVID-19, there are at least 6,000 adolescent children living with HIV in the Philippines who are in more challenging situations.
This serve as the inspiration of Filipino-American visual artist Rommel Rico in every art piece he worked on as he has committed to do his part in lending a helping hand to kids who continue to dream big in spite of their disease.
Rommel has partnered with the Duyan Project, a program of the Project Red Ribbon Care Management Foundation that aims to provide care and support to children with HIV in the country.
During the pandemic, Rommel made use of his art pieces and transformed them into wearable shirts which can be bought online for the benefit of the foundation. You can check his work via www.virrco.net where you can also send queries and reservations to join the fund drive.
The idea came to his mind when a supposed to be solo art exhibit at Gateway Mall in Quezon City in April was postponed due the health crisis.
Aside from his worthy cause, Rommel is finalizing his plans for the grand launch of his coffee table book authored by George Vail Kabristante of Balintataw Film & Theater Arts, under the Philippine Center for International Theater Institute-UNESCO.
For updates and announcements about Rommel and his works, you can search and directly message him on Facebook (@rommel.rico.33) and Instagram (@virrco).