I was a supporter of the watercolor arts done by Orly Castillo, who just died at age 75. When I met him, I liked the way he was into dialogues and deep conversations.
I bought the first painting “Alay sa Tinubuang Lupa,” an original that I raved about that became a template for many more to be bought by fellow activists.
One day, his girlfriend, Chona called asking for help in dealing with Orly’s temper. As forthright as I was, I told him about the laws here protecting women. Orly listened, but for a short period. He found it quite hard to survive in America and vented on his girlfriend who was a bank teller supporting both of them. He could not take it that he couldn’t just paint and sell his art.
He called me again one day saying he is saying goodbye for good. I had no idea what it meant. I drove looking for him in parks and the community center he would frequent. After several hours, I found him in his apartment. He appreciated that I cared about his life but I scolded him like a big sister would and told him if he did not value his life, my husband and I did.
One to two more counseling sessions with him, and with my husband that we requested him to help out with the kids and teach them painting. Where, he asked? I said, Search to Involve Pilipino Americans.
He did. He was happy to visit after several months to tell us that he got a grant to teach painting. Then, he met a woman that gave him a home in her heart, a psychologist. He was back painting. After a decade being married to her, he got restless and went back home to the Philippines. We lost touch.
He came for a visit years after and showed me another of his paintings. It was dark, it was confusing, and he kept persuading me to buy it. I refused. It felt like dark energies. I told him to reexamine what was bugging him inside. He did.
He came back months after and sold me another of his painting, a woman surrounded by abundant produce. I am looking for that last painting that he sold to me. It must be in the house somewhere.
I challenged him to paint me this painting that reflected his abundant, loving heart. I told him to capture how he felt while teaching the kids, painting. He came to me that day sharing about these kids’ stories. He apologized for being a brat, realizing the kids he was teaching had harder lives.
Today, I found it. It was meant to be found. Orly, you found your home, as your painting reflects your abundant home in the Universe, just like the last painting you sold to me!
Orly Castillo, you are the only artist that I have a collection of your works. They spoke to my heart – the gentle love that you have for your mother and your mother towards you, until that one painting I refused to buy. I am happy I found your painting of abundance.
May you rest in peace my dear friend, Orly Castillo! I missed our hours long conversation in my dining table. I am sorry but I just could not buy that one painting, it was too dark for me! We love you!
Your patron and supporter,
Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz and her supportive hubby