GMA Network singer Mark Bautista has successfully raised Php 410,000 after selling his own paintings to benefit the Shop & Share 2020 auction for COVID-19 mass testing cause initiated by Angel Locsin and Anne Curtis.
The Cagayan de Oro-born international musical theater actor launched his Art for a Cause on May 31, 2020, and said that he chose to revisit his love for visual arts for him to be able to help the fundraising drive.
Bautista also shared that he was unable to join the various online fundraising concerts of his fellow Filipino artists because his laptop crashed during the lockdown. “When invites came in to do livestream shows, na stress ako and kailangan ko mag pass and i felt bad,” Mark shared on his Instagram post. “So i thought of other ways to help. Ginising ko muna ang hilig ko sa Art.”
The popular Filipino singer studied architecture way back during his college years but was not able to finish it and instead pursued his singing career.
“The last paintings I did were 10yrs ago pa and nahirapan akong sundan,” he added. “mahirap din maghanap ng inspiration although i did few works naman while on lockdown.”
Bautista set up an Instagram account @MarkBautistaPaints where he posted his artworks for his fans and potential buyers to view the piece for auction.
The 36-year-old singer continued, “I hope kahit papaano makatulong ito. Hope you guys can help. You can also share this to your friends if they are interested. Much love everyone and thank you! Will give updates very soon!”
On June 6, Mark posted an update on his Instagram saying that he was able to raise Php 310K after 7 out of his 10 paintings were sold.
“And just like that! Auction done. 7 paintings sold! Pledges are in. Salamat sa lahat ng participants and bidders. Cant thank you guys enough. Nawala lahat ng doubts ko nung una bago umpisahan to,” Bautista wrote.
“I know it is hard to raise money nowadays, but you guys took the time and effort to support this cause. May God’s blessing come to you a thousand fold,” the singer-actor added.
The Kapamilya-turned-Kapuso celebrity made another update on his Art for a Cause after something good happened on June 7.
“Dahil May humabol from Bacolod and purchased my last 3 paintings, all my 10 paintings are now sold,” Mark said on his new Instagram post. “Thank you Lord! Here’s the final amount raised by Art For A Cause. Salamat sa lahat.”
Now that all paintings were sold, Mark has raised a total amount of Php 410K which will be given to Shop and Share PH, a private initiative by Bautista’s fellow celebrities humanitarian aid workers Angel Locsin and Anne Curtis, to help Filipinos get tested for COVID-19.
Other Filipino singers have also been into fundraising to help the affected families and communities by the lockdown, and the global health and economic crisis.
Singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid donated his toy collectibles to Angel Locsin and Anne Curtis’ Shop & Share 2020 campaign to raise funds for coronavirus mass testing in the Philippines. For other items on the Shop & Share 2020 auction go here.
Disney princess and Broadway royalty Lea Salonga raised almost Php 2 million in her online fundraising concert in April as part of the Bayanihan Musikahan Facebook Live concert series.
Popular band Ben&Ben raised nearly Php 5 million for COVID-19 response during their international release for their song “Doors” via YouTube Live.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to Mark Bautista for using his talent in visual arts to raise funds for Angel Locsin and Anne Curtis’ Shop & Share COVID-19 mass testing project.
Want to know how to be a Proud Pinoy? Like, Follow, Subscribe to GoodNewsPilipinas.com, and our socials Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Good News Pilipinas! TV on YouTube, for new story notifications, and e-mail newsletters for updates on more Filipino Pride stories.
