Works of mouth-, foot-painting artists featured on PHLPost’s Pasko stamps

The works of mouth- and foot-painting artists are highlighted in the Pasko stamps of the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) this year.

PHLPost on Monday said the special P10-denomination stamps were issued Nov. 25 and feature works from Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists members Jovy Sasutona, Amado Binuag Dulnuan, and Bernard Pesigan.

"A.M.F. P.A. is not a charity but a company entirely owned by seriously disabled members of the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists. Its members have all learned to draw and paint with brush held in the mouth or with the toes. The formation of the Association in 1956 gave all members the opportunity to completely support themselves through the sales of their paintings reproduced as cards, calendars and other items," the post office said in a statement.

It added similarly handicapped people "are being encouraged and helped financially to develop their work to other’s standard."

PHLPost added the artists' works are "offered on artistic merit and value."

Sasutona is a mouth painter who lost the use of his hands after a diving accident and learned to write and paint with his mouth.

His Christmas card “Golden years” won the first prize at the International Art Competition of AMFPA 50th Anniversary held in Vienna, Austria on April 30, 2007.

Dulnuan was born without arms but this did not discourage him from finishing university studies. He specializes in water colors, and has topped a London stint for creativity.

Pesigan was paralyzed from the neck down following a motorcycle accident in 1988, but learned mouth painting after Sasutona encouraged him to paint.

John Roland Feruelo, who designed the Official First Day Covers, was paralyzed following a diving activity in 1989 but has also learned to paint. — BM, GMA News