RYAN Rio-Legatub Managsay, a sophomore BSED Social Studies student of Samar State University, made portraits out of fern leaves to help augment their family income amid the Covid19 crisis.

Ryan’s leaf artwork locally known as “salikupkop” went viral on Facebook after Jhonil Sy Bajado, his professor, expressed fascination on the student’s imagination and skilled hands.

“I already knew that Ryan has a knack on the visual arts as he had done some artistic works for our school activities before. But during this pandemic lockdown, he found himself doing some artworks on a piece of leaf, which is locally known as salikupkop. In other areas, this is called lukdo or ipil, or dalikupkop (Algoamorpha quercifolia), a medicinal fern, known in English as basket fern,” Bajado said.

Ryan’s first leaf art was his professor’s portrait, but the young learner was initially hesitant to show his artwork due to a lack of confidence.

With the help of Bajado’s encouragement, Ryan’s artworks now include portraits of Pope Francis, Manny Pacquiao, Jessica Soho, Willie Revillame, Mayor Isko Moreno, Raffy Tulfo, Boy Abunda, Samar 2nd District Representative Sharrie Ann Tan, President Rodrigo Duterte and SSU President Dr. Marilyn Dejecasion Cardoso.

“I was dumbfounded with what he sent me. He was able to do 2 to 3 artworks per day of portraits. I cannot help but be overjoyed with his God-given talent and share and tell it to the world,” Bajado stated.

“These artworks are, to me, a symbolic representation of the Bisayan resilience and the Filipino artistry who are always able to find good vibes despite life’s adversity.” he added.