The Blind Soldier
by Maynard Tolentino
(Second Prize)
My art tells the story of Filipino nurses as soldier-like figures in foreign lands. They sacrifice, leaving family behind. They face challenges sometimes alone, fighting physical, mental, and spiritual battles. Nurses' battlefield is healthcare, including the recent pandemic. We've lost comrades, yet we smile through the pain, committed to patient care. Regardless of inequality, we're blind to differences. Like soldiers, we carry on for the fallen, family, and country. Filipino nurses embrace any challenge with love and strength.