Photo courtesy of Macky Bongabong

MANILA -- From the shores of Sangali, Zamboanga City, a fisherman’s son has since reached the halls of Malacañang palace through his work — a portrait of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Mart Henry “Macky” Bongabong is a self-taught artist. He had no formal art education or training but his passion and interest, particularly in drawing and painting, pushed him to develop his skills at an early age.

“Na-inspire lang ako sa mga books, magazines, sa paligid ko. I consider myself not as the best but I try my best,” Bongabong told ABS-CBN News in a phone interview.

(I taught myself. I got inspiration from books, magazines and my surroundings.)

At a young age, Bongabong was already aware of life’s struggles as the family of eight depended solely on his father’s catch for the day, while his mother, a housewife, looks after Bongabong and his five siblings.

“My late father Alberto Bongabong was a very hardworking papa. He would teach me how to sew nylon fishing nets that later became my part-time job during high school. Saturdays and Sundays were my bonding time with him as we would sit together near the port and sew as many nets as we can,” Bongabong wrote in a story he posted online.

Sewing fishing nets was a great help to the family since Bongabong earns P70 for a day’s work from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

At the same time, the young boy pursued art when he reached Grade 5 as he began to join poster-making contests.

When his mother passed away in 1999, the Bongabong family moved to Pagadian City where he continued high school and college.

His greatest achievement upon transferring was winning the National Poster Making Contest by the Philippine Association of Water District in Bacolod City in 2003.

He cried after winning P30,000 since his mother was no longer alive to see his win. “That time, P30,000 was of great value. She would have been very proud,” he said.

He later took up Information Technology at Southern Mindanao Colleges in Pagadian City but was unable to finish because of lack of money and also because “the course is just not for him”

MOVE TO DAVAO

At the time, Bongabong was already decided on pursuing an art career so he started on the streets of Pagadian. He initially painted and sold jeepney sign cards at the sidewalks and was paid at a per-work basis.

Soon, Davao has become a popular attraction in Mindanao, luring the likes of Bongabong who saw a promising future in the city.

“Balitang-balita sa amin na peaceful sa Davao, maganda doon. 'Yung word na 'yun talaga ang naghatak sa akin: peaceful and safe,” he explained.

(It has been widely publicized that Davao is very peaceful, that it’s beautiful there. Those words really encouraged me: peaceful and safe)

The aspiring artist then went to Davao City with only P500 in his pocket. On his first night, he slept at the sidewalk of of Uyanguren (Magsaysay Street) in Davao City.

In the days that followed, Bongabong worked his way to seek free lodging at churches and acquaintances of his friends even reaching as far as Tagum City just to find a place to stay.

“Naghanap talaga ako ng way. Gusto ko talaga sa Davao. In-introduce ko 'yung work ko dahan-dahan. Lahat ginawa ko po,” he said, recalling how he began his career in the city working on styrofoam letterings for Church designs and painting background designs for performers.

(I really looked for a way. I really want to stay in Davao. I introduced my work slowly. I did everything.)

From selling art in the streets, Bongabong, now 31, has already established a name for himself in Davao with a shop in Abreeza Mall, Davao City.

He also gives art lessons during weekends.

THE PRESIDENT’S PORTRAIT

Photo courtesy of Macky Bongabong

When Bongabong thought that life couldn’t get any better, a huge surprise arrived. A woman passed by his shop and left a small piece of paper with the words "The Office Of The President of the Philippines, Manila" printed on it.

Bongabong called the number on the paper and was surprised to hear that the Office of the President wants him to paint a portrait of Duterte.

“Hindi ko po talaga alam bakit ako ang napili. I’m just an ordinary person and I’m just so lucky. Love gift ko lang po talaga sa kaniya,” he said.

(I really don’t know why I was chosen. It’s my love gift to him.)

Before meeting the President for the presentation of the painting, Bongabong has only met Duterte, then the city's mayor, once at a Davao mall.

Bongabong said Duterte’s security was not very strict at the time -- he only had one bodyguard -- such that he was able to ask for a selfie with the mayor.

MEETING DUTERTE

Photo courtesy of King Rodriguez

Bongabong worked on the President’s portrait for a month but it was worth it, especially after Duterte praised his work when they met at the Davao airport.

“Personal talaga siya. Nagustuhan talaga niya. Nag-joke pa nga po siya sa akin na ‘pagawa pa ako sa ’yo ah.’ Sobrang overwhelming lang po talaga,” Bongabong gushed.

(He is really personal. He really liked it. He even joked that “I’ll ask you to make more.” It was just really overwhelming.)

Photo courtesy of King Rodriguez

The young artist was left in tears with the experience of meeting the President whom he also described as “very soft-spoken,” in contrast to the usual fiery Duterte we see on TV.

Asked about the President’s critics, Bongabong said he does not believe the negative things being said about Duterte.

“Nakita po naming 'yung ginawa niya sa Davao. Ang galing niya po talaga in action pero 'yung words niya, eh lahat naman po tayo nagmumura 'pag may di magandang nangyayari minsan. Ang kaibahan lang po siya, all eyes are on him,” he said.

(We saw what he did in Davao. He is really great in action but his words, well all of us curse when something bad happens sometimes. The only difference is, all eyes are on him.)

Bongabong even recalled when Davao City was flooded and he saw then-mayor Duterte manning traffic and helping locals ride a jeepney in the middle of the flood.

“Grabe 'yung respect namin sa kanya. Grabe 'yung love namin for him,” he added.

Bongabong is scheduled to meet with President Duterte at the Malacañang Palace on November 3, a dinner invitation extended by no less than the President himself.

“Sobrang hiya lang po talaga ako. Enough na po 'yung na-invite kami para sa dinner. Wala na po akong masabi. Di na po ako hihiling pa sa kanya (Duterte) ng anuman,” he said.

(I feel really shy. It’s enough that we were invited to dinner. I can’t say anything else. I won’t ask anything from him.)

Photo courtesy of Lisette Marques

Bongabong's portrait of President Duterte is displayed in the lobby of Malacañang Palace alongside the portraits of previous presidents painted by artists such as Fernando Amorsolo.

You can read Bongabong’s story in his own words here.