Walad is an International Relations student from the Mindanao State University-Main Campus. He is also a visual artist and an advocate of the preservation of Maranao art and culture.

As a child, he experienced neglect because his cousins did not want to play with him. He felt unloved and isolated. He was often inside the house, alone, and envied the kids outside as they played and had fun together. He finds comfort in watching animes, which led him to discover his talent for drawing. He loves to draw his favorite anime characters, and this helped him improve his skills and find comfort and healing.

The first time he joined a poster-making contest, he lost, and this made him sad. His mother discouraged him from pursuing arts altogether because of that. But because of what happened, his maratabat (pride) made him persevere, even more, telling himself that he needs to be the best and win every contest that he will participate in.

When he started seriously pursuing arts, he noticed people from his high school started to recognize his talent and valued his contributions to the school. He felt proud that people started to appreciate his artwork.

Walad believes that art can prevent conflict and violence, specifically structured violence such as poverty and hunger.

This belief helped him when the breadwinner of their family had to go back to Lanao del Sur because of worry and concern about their family’s situation. As an independent student who struggles to make ends meet, art helped him pursue his education by doing commissioned work. This helped him pay for his tuition fees and provide for his daily needs as a student.

In November 2021, he volunteered as an assistant facilitator during the Visual Arts Mentoring Program for Children held in Barimbingan Elementary School, Ramain Lanao del Sur. As someone who advocates for the preservation of Maranao art, he felt sad discovering that children do not know about the art form anymore. They did not have any idea about what it’s called and how to draw it.

Because of this experience, he was more eager to help in the preservation of Maranao art and culture and he believed that as an artist and a Maranao, he has the responsibility to do it for his community.

In June 2022, he was selected to be part of the Visual Arts Mentoring Program for the youth organized by the Teach Peace Build Peace Movement (TPBPM) in partnership with the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) held at Midway-Minkay Beach Resort, Misamis Oriental.

The Artists for Peace Mentoring Workshop provides a creative venue and dialogue where youth shall experience a platform of exchange, sharing of stories, and a reflection and expression of their desire for peace, amid issues they have been facing. They were taught how to use art to create awareness about how having peace with oneself can contribute to peace with others and how our peaceful thoughts and actions can create a ripple effect in peaceful communities. They were also taught new skills and techniques that could help them improve their craft.

The program made him realize that many artists hold on to art to heal – emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and financially. And he felt happy having found a new family of artists with whom he could be himself. He also discerned that through art, he could inspire other artists to use it as a voice and an instrument to achieve peace. He is also more encouraged to keep the fire burning and to keep creating art pieces that show the beauty of the Maranao culture and art pieces that show peace.

On the night of the recital, he presented his artwork called Warna (a Maranao word that means color), representing unity and diversity using random Maranao faces. He felt happy seeing his fellow artists with their artworks; through the program, they were given a voice.

Inspired by his conversations and the journey of mentors AG Sano, Glendford Lumbao, and Verlin Santos, Walad aims to start an artist’s organization open to all Maranaos, no matter their municipality or school. To give them a space to create and express themselves, where they have a voice and a supportive family that encourages them to be peace heroes.

“Even if we start small, I want to create a community for artists like me, so they can freely express themselves and share their talents with the world.“

As recommended by his fellow Artist for Peace Jamael, he plans to call it WARNA which means Ward of Art: Ranaw New Artists. He envisioned the group to be the guardians of Maranao art. He wanted to teach children about Maranao art, and in the future, they can be its guardians as well.