Anak ng MANGINGISDA, nagpinta ng Portrait ni Tatay Digong sa Malacanang

"Who would have thought of a boy, just sewing fishing nets by the port, skin burnt by the sun would later be a part of Philippine History? His artwork hanging beside the works of Fernando Amorsolo and other national artists." ito ang pahayag ng pintor na si  Macky Bongabong.

Photo credit by King Rodriguez

Si Macky ay lumaki sa  Sangali, Zamboanga City. Isang mandaragat ang kanyang ama at bata palang sya ay sumasama na sya sa pangingisda upang makatulong sa pamilya. Bata palang ay nahilig na sya sa pagpipinta at sumasali sa mga art contests.

"After my mom passed away in 1999 we moved to Pagadian City where I continued high school studies. Finally, during my 4th year, I won as a champion in the National Poster Making Contest by the Philippine Association of Water District held in Bacolod city 2003. It was my greatest achievement that time. I remembered I jumped from my seat after they declared that I won! but I cried later knowing that I could not give the cash prize to my mama Evelyn anymore. That time, 30,000 pesos was of great value. She would have been very proud." Pahayag ni Macky.

Sya ay nagpunta sa Davao City dahil napapabalita sa kanilang lugar na sobrang ganda ng Davao CIty. Nang kanya itong makita, agad nyang sinabing "this will be my home until I'm old".

“Balitang-balita sa amin na peaceful sa Davao, maganda doon. 'Yung word na 'yun talaga ang naghatak sa akin: peaceful and safe,” paliwanag niya. 

Photo credit by King Rodriguez

Nagsimula syang gumawa ng portrait commissions kasabay ng paghasa sa kanyang talento. Unti unti syang nakilala at nakaipon hanggang nagkaroon ng sariling shop sa Victoria plaza at di kalaunan ay sa Abreeza mall. 

Isang araw ay may natanggap syang sulat.

"Earlier this year, someone passed by my shop and gave a small piece of paper to my assistant. When I read it, it says, "The Office Of The President of the Philippines Manila" My eyes widened and my heart started to beat faster." 

“Hindi ko po talaga alam bakit ako ang napili. I’m just an ordinary person and I’m just so lucky. Love gift ko lang po talaga sa kaniya,”

"We must not look at how small we are or how little we have but how big God is and how beautiful His plans are for us" dagdag pa ni Macky.

Basahin ang buong post ni Macky tungkol sa kanyang buhay mula mismo sa kanya sa link na ito.