On February 10-21 at the Crucible Gallery of SM Megamall, there will be a visual art exhibit that features the works of international artists entitled Art for a Vision. The said activity help raised funds for the Ophthalmological Foundation of the Philippines (OFPHIL), a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of blindness among the poor in the country.
Among the paintings and sculptures that will be showcased on the exhibit are the works of Gus Albor, Virgillio “Pandy” Aviado, Cesar Caballero, Valeria Cavestany, Igan D´Bayan, Ramon Diaz, Arturo Luz, Ramon Orlina, Impy Pilapil, Cid Reyes, Juvenal Sanso, Betsy Westendorp and Jaime Zobel. All artworks will go on sale as full donations for OFPHIL’s many projects, with the Ifugao State University-OFPHIL (IFSU-OPHIL)EyeCenterat Alfonso Lista inIfugaoProvinceas one of its main beneficiaries.
Betsy Westendorp, Philippine Presidential Medal of Merit Awardee said that she is very honored to be part of this activity after they successfully staged their first fund raising activity in 2010. “We have high hopes that “Art for a Vision” will produce the same results. I myself suffer from age-related macula degeneration so this advocacy is very meaningful to me,” she said.
During their exhibit in 2010, the sale helped fund the construction of theIFSU-OFPHILEyeCenter. The center is now Philhealth-accredited with consultations and surgeries scheduled every Tuesdays and Saturdays. It is equipped with the Yag Laser for a more efficient treatment of cataract and glaucoma. To date, it has served almost 2,000 patients fromIfugaoProvinceand other neighboring municipalities.
Dr. Felipe Tolentino, founder and president of OFPHIL is very thankful to everyone who will extend their help for this second art sale. With the support they will get it will help them to acquire state-of-the-art equipment such as the Argon Laser, build comfortable waiting areas for patients, construct secure staff quarters for their medical team, and acquire a generator in case of power failure which they usually experience during the rainy season.
Up to date, there’s already 3.4 million Filipinos are visually-impaired and 62% of the cases are due to cataracts, with almost 500,000 blind in both eyes. About 90% of people who suffer from blindness belong to poor communities. According to Dr. Tolentino that it is important to note that 75% of cases of blindness can be avoided through prevention and treatment. And that no person should be needlessly blind and we hope to reach as many people as possible who have no means for proper eye care.
For more information about the OFPHIL and “Art for a Vision” call (632) 6361389 or email ofphil.eyecenter@yahoo.com.
