At 3 am on Dec. 17, 2011, Hersley-Ven Casero awoke, compelled to sketch the dragon from his fading dream. Still dark and calm in Dumaguete, Casero etched the outline of a white dragon curling over Rizal Boulevard. Unbeknownst to the artist, Tropical Storm Sendong passed over Mindanao at exactly the same hour.
Five hours later, the storm had also passed over Negros Oriental, leaving behind a wake from which Negrenses are still recovering.
Casero’s home was not spared from the storm’s fury, as floodwaters carrying mud entered their living room.
After spending the day digging out his home and photographing the destruction and immediate response of his neighbors, Casero revisited his sketch and realized that the dream carried a premonition.
“I realized that to honor that dream, I must bring the dragon to life — paying tribute to the people of Dumaguete for their bravery and cooperative spirit after the storm,” he said.
He then started on his largest painting, measuring 12 by 4 feet, called Untitled 2012 (Year of the Dragon).
“I am giving that name to the painting because I am asking, ‘What will be your future?’ That question is for those who just lost their homes, their livelihoods,” Casero said.
In this painting, the sky is the color of dawn to signal new beginnings. The people are caricatures of real Dumagueteños, drawn to Rizal boulevard that day — whole families and many friends who may be masking their true feelings with a smile or distraction.
The painting will be auctioned on Feb. 23 at KRI Restaurant in what might be Dumaguete’s first art auction benefit.
Casero said the proceeds from this painting will be donated to Tropical Storm Sendong victims through an accredited charity organization. Part of the proceeds will also be given to the scholarship fund initiated by Foundation University to students who were affected by the storm.
Kri Restaurant is donating appetizers and beverages for the private viewing starting at 6 p.m., which will be followed by the Silent Auction from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Casero will also raffle a second piece for P5,000.
