Artist pays tribute to father through realistic painting

A realistic painting that shows the wrinkles on the face and the far-away look of a farmer from Occidental Mindoro served as a son's way of recognizing the many sacrifices and hard work of his father for his family.

This is the gift of painter Nestor Abayon Jr.  to his father, Nestor Senior, for his birthday in February, according to a report on “State of the Nation.”

“Bale 8 days ko po siya ginawa, ‘yung unang painting ko po, tapos 8 hours a day ko po na ginawa ‘yung painting,” Nestor Abayon Jr. said.

(I worked on the first painting for eight hours in eight days.)

“Kapag pinipinta ko po ‘yung mukha niya parang, ano po sir, ‘yung parang nagpapasalamat po sa kanya sa tinulong niya sa amin,” he added.

(Whenever I painted his face, I feel grateful for all the things he’s done for us.)

Working as a farmer in Occidental Mindoro, he and his wife persevered to raise eight children and help them through life.

“Siya po talaga ‘yung nag-ahon sa amin sa kahirapan. Pinagaral niya po ‘yung mga kuya ko, ‘yung apat ko pong kuyas, siya po talaga ‘yung nagsumikap noon,” Nestor said.

(He was the one who got us out of poverty. He sent my four older brothers to school. He really worked hard.)

His siblings had finished various courses in College while he graduated as a marine engineer. Nestor, later on decided to follow his dream to become an artist.

“Supportive pa rin po sila kahit mas pinili ko ‘yung passion ko talaga. Siya po talaga ‘yung andyan para magtasa ng mga lapis ko, ng mga— bumibili ng mga pintura ko, ng pangkulay,” he said.

(They remained supportive even though I chose my passion. He has always been there even to sharpen my pencils and buy the paint that I use.)

However, Nestor said the painting could not compare to the sacrifices his father had already made. 

For Father’s Day, Nestor again painted his father this time with a beautiful smile.