COVID-19 survivor and the Philippines’ topnotch comedian Michael V has created fan art as a tribute to all medical frontliners battling against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The country’s multi-hyphenate celebrity also known as Bitoy created the digital fan art and presented it on YouTube.
The GMA Kapuso actor-director first announced in his newest vlog entry uploaded on his YouTube channel Michael V #BitoyStory on August 10, 2020, that he has recovered from COVID-19 after contracting the coronavirus on July 10.
“Sa ngayon, tapos na ’yong quarantine ko at masasabi ko na naka-recover na ako,” the Bubble Gang veteran said on his vlog.
The award-winning comedian-singer also expressed his appreciation to all those who offered prayers for his fast recovery and those who sent him fan art.
“Special shoutout sa lahat ng nag-post at nag-tag sa akin ng mga fan art,” Michael V. said. “Hindi lang dahil doon sa mga ginawa nilang artwork kundi dahil na rin sa mga messages nila. Kapag may nagta-tag sa akin ini-screenshot ko kaagad tapos nilalagay ko sa isang folder sa phone ko.”
The Pepito Manaloto lead actor also shared that he loved those fan art because, aside from being an actor and director in the entertainment industry, he is a visual artist who used to send his artworks to different various publishing house since he was in grade school.
“Natutuwa ako sa fan art kasi madalas din akong gumawa n’yan noong kabataan ko,” he said. “(Noong nasa) grade school (pa ako) nagpapadala ako ng drawing ko sa Funny Comics. Tapos noong pumasok na ako sa showbiz, nagpapadala naman ako sa Wizard Magazine dahil mahilig ako sa superheroes.”
Now that he is well and recovered, the GMA Network prized talent is paying it forward by creating a fan art for the contemporary heroes, the medical frontliners, for their sacrifices and dedication.
“Ang tinutukoy ko ay ang mga medical frontliners natin, ’yong mga health care workers,” the comedian continued. “No’ng nag-positive ako (sa COVID-19), firsthand kong nakita ’yong hirap nila, ’yong sakripisyo nila ’tsaka ’yong dedication sa profession nila.
“At dahil d’yan, gusto kong gumawa ng fan art para sa kanila. Marami na akong napanood na news na nag-inspire sa akin na bumuo ng image sa ulo ko. At ilang referrences din sa comics na p’wedeng gamitin doon sa fan art na pina-plano ko.”
After he finished his masterpience, Bitoy explained the elements and details of his drawing.
“I made sure na mailagay lahat ng detalye na tumatak sa isip ko…” he went on.’Yong tagaktak ng pawis nila paghubad ng PPE… ‘yong pangungulubot ng kamay dahil sa ilang patong na gloves.. ‘Yong marka na iniiwan nang maghapong pagsusuot ng facemask… Ito po ang paraan ko ng pasasalamat sa mga health-care workers natin.”
The popular TV and movie actor also plead to the public to do their part in helping the frontliners in containing the virus by following the safety measures and health protocols all the time.
“At siguro mananawagan na rin ako doon sa mga kababayan natin… Kahit po mga superheroes, at one point natatalo sa mga kalaban. Ang mga medical frontliners po natin ay hindi superheroes. Wala po silang superpowers,” the COVID-19 survivor explained.
“Kaya kung p’wede po sana, e, huwag natin sila hayaang matalo. Tulungan po natin sila. Mag-ingat po sana tayo at sumunod po sana tayo sa batas at doon sa mga protocols para hindi na madagdagan ang cases ng COVID.”
His artwork he posted on his social media is just plain black and white to encourage other artists to download it and put any colors they want.
“Itong fan art ko ipo-post ko sa Instagram, Facebook, sa Twitter. Ito pwede n’yo i-share pati ang k’wento kung bakit ko ginawa ito. ‘Yong ibang mga artists d’yan, p’wede n’yong i-download ’to. Tapos kung type n’yo, kulayan n’yo. O kaya gumawa kayo ng sariling version n’yo. Kasi kung napapasaya ako ng mga fan art n’yo, e, sigurado mapapasaya rin natin ’yong mga health-care workers kapag nakakita sila ng ganito.”
As the battle against COVID-19 continues in the Philippines, various organizations have also expressed appreciation to the health workers for their hard work.
UP alumni artists created an online exhibit fundraiser featuring paintings of frontline workers.
The Philippines’ longest-running TV show Eat Bulaga honored the medical frontliners and COVID-19 survivors on their 41st-anniversary episode on July 30, 2020.
The service of Pasig River Ferry opened on August 3 to service frontliners in Metro Manila now under the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine.
Motorcycle-hailing app Angkas is offering free rides to medical frontliners due to the suspension of public transportation in Metro Manila during the MECQ until August 18.
WATCH Michael V’s YouTube and see how he made his fan art for the frontliners here and SEND HIM cheers in the comments below.
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