Jayson Isaac pays tribute to husband Raymund Isaac through art
Jayson Isaac initially started to paint to while away the time during the pandemic. Like most of us, he wanted to keep himself busy while everyone was quarantined.
“Nagkaroon ng mga plantito, may mga nag-art. We did the things we love to do to save our sanity as we’re all locked inside,” Jayson recalls.
He started on his first painting, acknowledging the pandemic. He had an idea in mind, and he wanted the challenge of working with acrylics.
He and his late partner, the renowned photographer Raymund Isaac, then decided to travel to the United States to get themselves vaccinated.
They soon both contracted the COVID-19 virus. Raymund got the worst symptoms. He was hospitalized for more than a month until he unfortunately succumbed.
As a way of coping with the loss of his partner, Jayson started to paint more.
“I could not stop. I have to save my sanity. I have to keep busy. Yung grief na na-experience ko that time, to be honest, I don’t want anyone to experience it,” Jayson says.
Two years after Raymund’s death, Jayson made his debut art exhibit entitled Fidem, which is Latin for "faith." Included in the exhibit are zoomed details of images of the saints he was praying to in his time of despair.
“This is my way of honoring my husband and all of my dead loved ones. Before Raymund’s death, I lost my mom, I lost my dad, I lost his mom, and I lost his brother. Five deaths, from 2016, every year. Pinag-break lang ako noong 2020. And then in 2021, him.”
Married in Vegas
Vaccination was not the only agenda when Jayson and Raymund went to the US in 2021. They also decided to get married while in Las Vegas.
Jayson, whose surname was Vicente, then became Isaac after a simple ceremony. What would have been a happy moment became a bittersweet memory as they both got COVID a couple of days later.
Raymund was initially brought to a hospital in Las Vegas but was soon sent home after his oxygen levels were stable.
They were able to fly to San Francisco. That was when Raymund’s symptoms got worse.
“We called 911 and he was immediately taken. Hindi ko siya mayakap and he was scared kasi magkahiwalay na kami. Nanginginig ako noon,” he recalls, still visibly shaken by the memory.
He promised to follow Raymund to the hospital, which he knew would be tricky as Jayson himself also had the virus.
“Parang third day pa lang ng pagiging positive namin. Dun na nag-start yung praying. So much praying na parang ‘Nasaan na ang asawa ko?’”
On the 10th day, Jayson fully recovered from COVID-19. But protocols still prevented him from seeing Raymund.
He said he was only able to see his husband through a Filipino nurse. He would enter through the employee’s entrance. Through this, he was able to sit by Raymund’s side, in complete PPE gear, for two days.
“Gagawin mo lahat para lang makita mo siya, kasi alam mo 'pag nakita mo siya, nakita ka niya, liliwanag ang mukha niya. Which is true. Nabuhayan siya for those two days,” Jayson says.
“Sinabi pa niya sa akin ‘You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.’ Hinawakan ako sa mukha. Sabi ko ‘Ano ka ba?’”
The next day, Raymund would be intubated. Jayson would continue to hope that they would soon be able to go back home.
“I’m in denial that time, so much. I was still hoping na gagaling talaga siya.”
Art as therapy
Overcome with grief, Jayson would pack his day with physical activities to drown out the sorrow.
“I have to do something. I renovated our house and studio. I started working out. I played badminton four times a week. I worked out five times a week. I kept myself so busy and occupied so pag-uwi ko sa bahay, pagod na ako. And I do it all again the next day.”
He continued to paint. He would recall the time he prayed fervently to saints at St. Patrick's Church in San Francisco, California. He focused on the details. The hem of the Nazareno. The feet of the Divine Mercy. The praying hands of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
He would recall those details and paint them from memory.
“Natapos ko na sila then I realized, ‘Na-paint ko na lahat ng dinasalan ko.’ Then I started on another series called Wake.”
The Wake series features magnified details of buttons, prints, and fabrics from the wake of his loved ones who’ve passed since 2016.
As he shares his art with the public, he hopes that whoever gets any of his pieces will feel the energy he poured into each of his paintings.
“All of my faith and energy are there in my works. They are intense. Binigay ko talaga lahat diyan.”
Jayson says he will continue to paint, even as he carries on Raymund’s legacy through their Cafeteria Studio.
“I realize that all the paintings here are profound. They are about hope or faith. My next series should be much lighter,” he promises.
Fidem: 1st Solo Art Exhibit by Jayson Isaac art exhibit is open until Oct. 10 at the Admiral Hotel Manila. You may contact Duds Isaac Mitra at 09175293538 or send an email to [email protected] to RSVP for the exhibit launch day.
Proceeds will be donated to Positive Action Foundation Philippines Incorporated (PAFPI), a foundation dedicated to empowering and helping people living with HIV Philippines and AIDS.