Sneakers are the new ‘bling’

And they’re more than just collector’s items — as the pair painted on by National Artist for Visual Arts Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera definitely is — they’re going to lift many women to reach their full potential.

At The Pink Room: A Gallery for Good, icons in Philippine contemporary art have embarked on a truly unique exhibit. They have each transformed and reimagined a globally recognized cultural fashion icon, the Nike Air Force 1 Triple White sneaker, into a one-of-a-kind art piece. The shoe and show for a cause is ongoing at The Brittany Hotel BGC, where the live auction will take place on Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. (The Brittany Hotel is such a revelation, too!)

Why sneakers as a canvas and vessel of art?

“To attract younger group,” says ICanServe co-founder and board member Crisann Celdran. “We always urge women to take charge of their health. We thought, why not involve their families — sons, fathers, brothers — to urge them to do so. Shoes are the new collector’s item. The young collect them. We save up for paintings, the young save up for collectible sneakers.”

With this exhibit, young and old and the young-at-heart get to collect both paintings and sneakers, as most of the participating artists made the sneakers their canvas.

ICanServe, which Crisann co-found with writer and filmmaker Kara Magasanoc-Alikpala, strongly believes “women and girls are the lights of homes and worth the investment, no matter their cancer stage. They are the center of gravity that keeps a family alive.”

Daniel Dela Cruz with his “Pegasus,” inspired by Nike, the goddess of victory.

Proceeds from the auction, to take place at the Brittany Hotel on Sept. 14, will enable ICanServe Foundation to fund treatments and medical procedures for breast cancer patients, launch high-impact literacy campaigns, invest in training public healthcare workers on early detection, and create breast cancer control programs.

Two of the artists on the roster are breast cancer survivors; several are children of cancer survivors, and many have connections to cancer, making their artistic contributions even more powerful and moving. They include: Arce, Carlo Tanseco, Daniel Dela Cruz, Gerry Tan, Jinggoy Buensuceso, Katrina Cuenca, Manny Garibay, Melissa Yeung Yap, Monica Delgado, Plet Bolipata, Ronald Ventura, Tracie Anglo Dizon, Lilianna Manahan, Ciane Xavier, Carlo Calma, Christina Dy, Elmer Borlongan, Gus Albor, Jose Santos III, Lydia Velasco, Max Balatbat, Mm Yu, Pam Yan Santos, Rm De Leon, Toym Imao and Vien Valencia.

“We are more than the life-saving programs and projects,” says Kara. “We co-created local and national laws in partnership with a myriad of generous partners from global and regional organizations, local government, private sector, the youth, and other NGOs. We created a movement of hope and a platform to serve and experience profound gratitude. The real fear to cancer is not death but leading a life without meaning.”

ICanServe is celebrating its 25th year. As a foundation, the breast cancer survivors who serve on its board “are acutely aware that our journey is far from over.”

Alluding to the nursery rhyme “The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe,” this pair, “The Homemaker’s Shoes” by Pam Yan Santos, is a homage to multi-tasking homemakers.

“We have evolved from an association of breast cancer survivors who hosted lunches and meriendas for the newly diagnosed and visited public hospitals to a foundation that now invests and helps shape the country’s healthcare system,” they said in a group statement. “We have emphasized the importance of taking charge of one’s health and early breast cancer detection.”

ICanServe co-founded the Cancer Coalition Philippines and spearheaded the lobby for the passage of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act of 2019 to address the gaps in cancer care.

ICanServe has touched the lives of at least 300,000 women in the past 25 years.

And yet, there is still an immense amount of work to be done, they say.

“For our silver anniversary, we asked ourselves: How can we better raise breast cancer awareness and support those impacted by a diagnosis? We drafted the blueprint of a dream art project and a wish list of artists who, without hesitation, said yes to saving a life through art.”

“Blossom Trail” by Melissa Yeung Yap looks like wearable art! (Size 7.5, Women’s).

The first to respond to their call was Daniel Dela Cruz, originally an acclaimed product designer, who has successfully transitioned into the art world, creating pieces of sculpture as heartfelt tributes to his subjects.

Daniel underwent a near-fatal accident a few years ago that has uploaded meaning into his life. For a while, he was paralyzed below the neck. Miraculously, he is back to normal now.

“I didn’t have cancer, but I was lost…after my accident,” he recalled in an open forum during his visit to The Pink Gallery. He aims to help those who may need some direction after a cancer diagnosis by contributing two artworks to the auction.

Daniel transformed the Nike Air Force 1 shoe into stunning artworks, Pegasus 1 and 2. The pieces are inspired by Nike, the goddess who personifies victory in art, music, war, and athletics. The pieces feature wings and a horse’s body to symbolize freedom. He feels they represent the victory of every survivor.

Whether it is cancer one is going through or not, one needs meaning — and to contribute meaning into other people’s lives.

As Kara says, “The real fear to cancer is not death but leading a life without meaning.”

You may e-mail me at [email protected]. Follow me on Instagram @joanneraeramirez.