Bayanihan: Bound by Resilience
Pipigkil madaras dumakil
By Alex Carreon
Pipigkil madaras dumakil
Pipigkil madaras dumakil
Pipigkil madaras dumakil
Every morning, I woke up to these three words as a child. And my mother, as she sings this ilokano tune, squeezes parts of my body gently,
Pipigkil, she starts with my shoulders,
Madaras, my arms,
Dumakil, my hands
Hold, Hold, hold, my waist
For you, my legs
To quickly grow, My feet
“ang gaspang!” I’d retort
“your hands are so rough, nay”
These are the same hands that are so callused and rough, from holding the kitchen knife and mincing garlic. The same hands that have held my titas’ hands alongside theirs as they did with my nanay, when the days of being away from their own family is a daylight harder than it already is.
The same callused hands, that tries to gently hold every tita, tito, cousin, claimed cousin, and her very own family.
And like many other of our own nanay, tatay, tito and tita, who do the same in their own strength,
Hold, hold, hold; for you to quickly grow,
Pipigkil madaras dumakil
Alex Carreon
Kath Beredo
Kath Beredo-Endaya is deeply inspired by the beauty of nature. Her artistic journey has been marked by recognition and achievements, including winning the grand prize in Sining Galing in 2003 and first place in the Agri-Leap Painting Competition in 2004. In 2006, she participated in a Guinness World Record attempt for the longest painting—a project under UNESCO’s International Mid-Decade Celebration for the Culture of Peace & Non-Violence for the Children of the World. Her paintings, influenced by lush landscapes and vibrant flora, blend natural elements with her unique artistic vision.
Kath, a former art teacher in the Philippines, has also participated in several group exhibitions both locally and abroad. Recent art exhibitions include “La mode en moi” Espace Nesle, Paris (October 2024), Filipino Artists Guild Europe Moers, Germany (November 2024), “Intercultural fashion and art exhibit” Melle, Germany (March 2025), and “La mode en moi” at the Embassy of the Philippines in The Hague, Netherlands (March 2025). Kath earned her Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from the University of the Philippines, Diliman, in 2010. Her work has been collected both locally and internationally, allowing her to share her art with a diverse audience. Now based in Canada, Kath continues to pursue her career as a visual artist and educator, balancing both professional roles with dedication.
“Nature awakens a sense of calm and inspiration in my heart, and I aim to share that tranquil beauty with my viewers.”-Kath Beredo
Alex Carreon
alex was born in Salmaniya Medical Complex, one of Bahrain’s three public hostals. They were raised by their chosen family of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Middle East — whose upbringing they later poke and trod like tinik, or fish thorns.
At nineteen, alex moved from Bahrain to Mohkinstsis (Calgary), three months before the pandemic. Their current themes are gigil, an uncomfortable feeling like gritting teeth, but in constant anticipation through collaging, digital art, and personal archiving.
They are currently practicing art in community with Alcove Centre of the Arts, which led to opportunities to exhibit at Likhaan, a collaboration between Salingpusa Creatives and Indioz Bravoz, and Balik-Loob, a project by Filipinos Rising for Inclusion and Equity to Nurture Democracy (FRIENDS).
