Former Mutya ng Pilipinas President Hemilyn Escudero-Tamayo was preparing to make a comeback in the pageant world until the COVID-19 pandemic got in the way.
"I miss the pageant world. Actually we had talks of producing a new pageant late this year pero hold muna (because of the health crisis). We will see," said Hemilyn in an exclusive online interview.
Hemilyn has been keeping herself busy during the COVID-19 lockdown and opened up about her love of painting. This may come as a surprise to many people that this brilliant woman has been painting since early 2000s.
"One of my early paintings is a 3x4 impasto modern landscape. It's the first painting I sold either in 2013 or 2014. It's not that expensive. What matters is that they appreciate your work. Happy na ako noon," she said.
Hemilyn has just finished another painting she calls "My Queen Mother," similar to the theme of Duccio di Buoninsegna's painting. "It is inspired by the Holy Rosary. Every night I pray the Rosary for my family and friends in these challenging times."
In 2019, Hemilyn enrolled at the prestigious Yale University in Connecticut, USA to further her studies in the field of arts. She plans to enroll again in an art school abroad "either next year or next, next year when everything is coronavirus-free."
When painting, Hemilyn makes it a point to finish one painting in a day. In some cases, she reveals she gets carried away with her work and forgets to eat. Her spacious garden is one of her favorite spots to paint.
She admires the paintings of Horace Pipin who she describes as self-taught; Mauro "Malang" Santos; and Maria Pureza Escano.
In the past, Hemilyn paints about landscapes. But now, she paints interesting people. "I get inspirations from life experiences, events, and the people around me."
In September, Hemilyn will showcase her skills in arts once again when she joins an exhibit in Malaysia. It's her fifth art exhibition since she got hooked on painting.
"I'm excited and nervous. But I am really honored to be part of this exciting exhibit because painters from other countries will participate as well as Filipino artists like AK Jardin and Fernando Sena. The theme of the art exhibit is women empowerment," she said.
Hemilyn is the daughter of former Casiguran, Sorsogon City Mayor Dr. Oscar Escudero. She is married to Philippine Air Force Major Richard Antonio Tamayo, whose family owns the University of Perpetual Help DALTA Medical Center. They have children.
She took up financial management in Texas, USA and is a product of Charlston School of Protocol and Etiquette and Fashion Image Institute in San Francisco. She is the founder of Total Image, Inc., an image consultant agency.
A relative of Governor Chiz Escudero of Sorsogon, Hemilyn is a popular figure in the pageant industry long before she got married.
Hemilyn is also an officer of the United Women’s Artists Association of the Philippines, a group of professional women having common interests towards the arts.
"My most cherished painting for now would be an abstract painting of a rainforest with waterfalls. This is very special to me. You can see some of my paintings displayed in the hospital and school owned by my husband," she said.
Hemilyn is proud to have developed painting into a bonding session with her kids. "They have their own painting materials. But when I paint in oil, I don't join them because the smell (of the oil) is hazardous to the kids." - Robert Requintina
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