There is an almost child-like ebullience in artist Robert Alejandro’s works promoting Vice President Leni Robredo’s presidential candidacy. Done in various shades of pink, Robredo’s official campaign color, the artworks are full of hope, joy, and whimsy. It is easy to imagine that such positive vibes are coming from someone living a life of ease and comfort and without a care in the world.

Actually, Alejandro has been living with cancer of the colon since 2014 which, by 2020, had metastasized. 

But far from being devastated by his condition,  he says cancer actually changed his life for the better. “Before my diagnosis,” he recalls, “I had bouts of depression and was beset with dark thoughts, including suicide. I was not even getting along with my siblings.” 

Cancer made him let go of the negativity. “I want to be happy, to live the best years of my life. Now I am happiest. Cancer has been a gift for me. I am now full of love and make use of every opportunity to do something worthwhile,” he says.

Alejandro mended fences with his siblings and kept busy with the family business, the gift shop Papemelroti, and his personal clients. When the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in enforced isolation, he initially welcomed the respite from a hectic schedule. 

But soon he was eager to reestablish contact with the outside world. He cleaned out his room and closets and held a virtual exhibit of works he had almost forgotten. The success of that virtual “garage sale” led him to hold another exhibit—this time of new pieces. 

New focus

Then Robredo announced that she was running for president. Alejandro says her humility, decency, and positive outlook struck a sympathetic chord in him. “Listening to her and looking at her body of work—everything speaks for itself,” he says. 

Helping artist-friend Ina Esquivel finish a mural in the campaign headquarters of Robredo and her vice presidential candidate Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, affirmed Alejandro’s choice. Volunteering for Robredo’s campaign gave him a new focus and a welcome distraction from his health problem. 

Admitting that he sometimes felt despondent over how the country was being run, he wrote in a Facebook post that the sight of volunteers of all ages at the Robredo headquarters packing relief goods for victims of Typhoon “Odette” gave him hope. 

“I could not see their smiles (because of their masks), but I could see from their eyes and I could feel they were happy to be doing what they were doing. This is what true love is about – the wholehearted giving of one’s self for others. This is the kind of Philippines we aspire for,” he wrote.

Alejandro is self-effacing about his contribution to Robredo’s cause. “What I’m doing is simple—I draw smiling faces of Filipinos. This is my way of showing that I have a candidate who is not corrupt, who is honorable and industrious, not avaricious, and, most of all, values every human life.” 

He adds: “All my images come from her. I want to express how I feel about her and what will happen if she becomes president.”

As he gets more involved in the campaign, there is less room for depression and anxiety. Fellow Robredo supporters warmly welcome his work and draw inspiration from his personal battle that he chronicles on social media.

He is surprised and exceedingly pleased that his work is admired, even collected, by Filipinos from different parts of the world who send him messages of support, encouragement, and gratitude.

Positive attitude

Alejandro’s decision not to wallow in self-pity and depression dovetails with Dr. Ed Tolentino’s prescription for achieving mental health. 

Tolentino, a psychiatry professor, practicing psychiatrist, and former president of the Philippine Psychiatry Association, says Filipinos have to learn “self-care, develop a positive attitude, and learn to say no when needed. You have to be assertive, honor yourself, and maintain a hopeful, positive attitude.”

He admits that, despite the Filipinos’ much-vaunted resilience, the Covid-19 pandemic that has kept social interaction at the barest minimum for almost two years now is completely unusual and unprecedented. 

He says women and people under 40 have been found to be particularly vulnerable to some of the symptoms of depression such as anxiety and stress. Filipino women are by tradition caregivers for both the very young and the elderly, and many now have to care for both almost 24/7, as everyone is sheltering at home.

Many of those under 40, Tolentino points out, are students or young adults who have a strong need to socialize. Even if they are digital natives, virtual meet-ups cannot totally make up for face-to-face interactions. In fact, frequent exposure to social media and negative news stories add to the anxiety of many people.

The elderly, having been through many disasters and crises, are not as stressed, he adds.  

Premature mortality

Studies in other countries show that extended isolation and lack of social contacts have actually caused premature mortality, according to Tolentino. People have taken to smoking and consumed more alcohol or used drugs to cope with forced confinement. Physical abuse of spouses and children has increased as people continue to share cramped spaces.

Covid-19 has led to feelings of loneliness and isolation. People lost jobs and suffered financial difficulties. Many died alone, and those left behind could not find the comfort of mourning their loss with family and friends as only virtual wakes could be held and the number of people attending funerals had to be restricted.

But for the practice of psychiatry, Covid-19 also opened new possibilities, particularly the convenience of new technology. Tolentino says people are increasingly engaging in virtual consultations using digital gadgets. While the practice may not be quite as effective for certain problems like substance abuse, more and more people find it liberating to be able to talk to a mental health expert anytime and anywhere.

 “I have people talking to me as they drive,” Tolentino says.

The shame that used to be associated with mental health issues is also dissipating. “Millennials are seeking help on their own,” Tolentino says, “and are more open to discuss mental health issues.” As the young become more accepting of the problem, even their parents have become more supportive. 

Tolentino is also hopeful about the impact of the Mental Health Act (Republic Act No.11036), which, among other things, mandates the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, workplaces, and communities to develop mental programs and provide facilities.

“It is a rights-based law and one of the most complete pieces of legislation,” he says. “It is inclusive,” the product of consultations with as many stakeholders as possible.

As the country builds the infrastructure to better protect its people’s mental health, Tolentino reminds everyone that, like previous challenges and crises the Philippines has faced, “Filipinos can overcome and survive” the devastation of Covid-19.

Alejandro is just as optimistic. He is already planning a third art show—still virtual—in February even as he continues to get as much joy and satisfaction from contributing what he can to help Robredo win the presidency. 

As he wrote in one of his artworks, “I don’t know if I’ll be alive on May 9 to vote for Leni and Kiko. But I am happy today that somehow, I was able to paint these (volunteers’) happy faces.” 

(This article first appeared in the weekly OpinYon.—ED.)