Nearly three weeks after Typhoon Tino battered the region, Cebu continues its determined recovery journey. Across the island, communities are rebuilding homes and restoring lives with remarkable resilience. In this landscape of gradual restoration, the Filipino spirit of bayanihan has found a unique expression through two prominent Visayan artists.
Artistic Response to Calamity
Fresh from their participation in the Visayas Art Fair 2025, Maestro Anthony Fermin and multidisciplinary artist Anton Quisumbing have joined forces with Harley-Davidson Cebu in an innovative charity initiative. The artists have transformed motorcycles into moving canvases, with all proceeds from sales directed toward families impacted by the recent typhoon.
The exhibition showcasing these unique creations was held at the Harley-Davidson showroom on A.S. Fortuna Street in Mandaue City, Cebu on November 19, 2025. Both artists shared their creative processes and the profound meanings behind their works during the unveiling.
Strings of Home: A Testament to Cebuano Spirit
Anthony Fermin created his piece, titled "Strings of Home," during the typhoon itself, working through power interruptions and howling winds. "I worked on this even during the typhoon," Fermin revealed during the exhibition. His creative journey spanned from October through mid-November, persisting through the storm's peak.
The artist faced significant technical challenges working with urethane paint for the first time, a durable automotive coating that demands absolute precision. "I was nervous because urethane allows no room for errors," Fermin explained. "Once the brush leaves the surface, you can't erase it. You have to work in seconds, milliseconds, because it dries instantly."
The resulting masterpiece incorporates powerful symbols of Cebuano identity:
- Guitars representing Cebu's renowned guitar-making heritage and musical traditions
- Fire symbolizing light and strength amid adversity
- Local landmarks including the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway, Magellan's Cross, and the Mactan Channel
Fermin described his work as more than static art: "If the canvas hangs on a wall at home, it belongs only there. But the painting continues on the bike. Wherever the rider journeys, they carry Cebu with them."
The Da Vinci: Bridging Eras Through Design
Anton Quisumbing approached the project with a different artistic vision, creating "The Da Vinci" as a fusion of Renaissance elegance and modern engineering. The artist expressed his lifelong fascination with motorcycles and customization, noting "As an artist, you always imagine how you want something to look. It's in our nature to customize, to express."
His design features classical Renaissance elements, including acanthus leaf scrolls inspired by biblical manuscripts and cathedral architecture. The gold engravings on the exhaust pipes pay direct homage to the Age of Enlightenment, while his color choice carries deep symbolic meaning.
"Olive green is biblical," Quisumbing explained. "It represents hope, renewal and new beginnings. I am giving new life to the motorcycle."
The artist highlighted the historical connection between Leonardo da Vinci's mechanical drawings and modern combustion engines, creating what he describes as "both a tribute and a bridge between eras." His vision combined carbon fiber with classical artistry, achieving a unique synthesis of antiquity and technology.
Artistic Legacies and Community Impact
Both artists bring impressive credentials to this philanthropic project. Anthony Fermin is celebrated for his expressive, vibrant paintings exploring themes of faith, transformation, and Filipino resilience. His works have been exhibited alongside Philippine masters including Vicente Manansala, Jose Joya, and Fernando Amorsolo.
Anton Quisumbing has established himself as a multidisciplinary creator whose portfolio spans painting, sculpture, and installation art. Notably, in 2023, he reconstructed the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu in miniature using rubble from the bell tower that collapsed during the 2013 earthquake.
Even as Typhoon Tino swept through Cebu, these artists continued their creative processes, allowing the storm's chaos to become part of their artistic narrative. Through "Strings of Home" and "The Da Vinci," Visayan creativity demonstrates its capacity to drive forward both artistic innovation and community support.
This initiative aligns with the broader #SunStarBayanihan campaign, which connects those in need with assistance through live updates, volunteer networks, and organizational partnerships. The SunStar Building in Cebu City serves as a drop-off point for relief goods, inviting community participation in ongoing recovery efforts.
