The Art of Pressed Flowers

A person's art never dies. It continues to flourish and inspire other people as the years go by. It can, however, take a rest and lie dormant until roused again.

Such is the case of Jessica Magbojos. She used to sketch nature and other still life when she was in high school. She also studied watercolor to widen her medium. In college, however, she was sidetracked when she pursued a course in food and nutrition. And when she got married, her art finally took a back seat, for raising a family and keeping their business (a furniture and appliance store) became her priorities. On the side, she grew flowers and kept her garden, and on occasion, sold her potted plants.

But in 1994, the unthinkable happened. She first felt some back pains, which the doctors thought was osteo-arthritis, and so she was given pain medication. The pain became unbearable and so on a trip to Manila, she decided to get second opinion. A doctor recommended an MRI scan, and it was simply nerve-wracking for the family to wait for the results. However, Jessica remained prayerful, asking God for strength and acceptance of what the tests will show.

The results were devastating. Her family was shocked, but Jessica remained calm, which is "not a natural reaction for a hypochondriac," she smiles. It was learned that she had malignant tumors that stuck themselves on her bones and they were growing really fast. The biggest one was on her spine and it already fractured some ribs, hence the pain. Additionally, she also developed multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer that afflicts only a minute percentage of blood cancer patients. Surgery was not an option because there were too many vicious tumors to be removed.

Jessica underwent radiation treatment for six weeks and chemotherapy for a year. During this sad and difficult time, she refused to dwell in her adversity. At the PGH where she stayed, she dolled up herself everyday and even had gerbera daisies liven up her room. "It was so nice to have something to do in my room, so I kept the daisies and watered them everyday," she recalls.

As if all her pain were not enough, her husband reached the verge of a heart attack on the same time that she was receiving her treatment. He underwent a bypass operation at the Makati Medical Center, so Jessica left her room at the PGH and went to take care of her husband at the other hospital. "It was a case of the sick taking care of the sick," she recalls, laughing weakly as she does. After the critical days of her husband were over, she went back to PGH to resume her treatments.

After her physically draining medication, Jessica was introduced to Oshibana, the Japanese art of pressing flowers. She attended a seminar for four days in Manila and was given a start up kit of possible designs. Going back to her home in Bacolod, Jessica checked up her plants and found a treasure trove of materials for her Oshibana projects. And so she started working on her newly discovered medium.

That was seven years ago. Oshibana became Jessica's mental and psychological therapy to divert her attention from her sickness. She refused to be overwhelmed by her pain, instead, she poured her energy and attention on the intricacies of pressing flowers and creating wonderful masterpieces. When she was first discovered with cancer, she went on remission for four years, however, it had been recurring every year since.

Despite the pain, she pursued her craft and she has since produced more than 100 decorative wall frames, not to mention the lamps that she designed still using pressed flowers. She has held two one-woman Oshibana exhibits and has sold off her products. She has also given away some as gifts. Entitled Frozen Blooms, Jessica displayed 50 frames in 2003 and 48 in a second exhibit. But this time, she added the lamps. The frames are priced between P3,000 to P7,000, depending on the size and intricacy of the design, while the lamps are sold between P2,000 to P4,000. However, she is not into business for profit, primarily because she could not predict when she's feeling well. She rests when needed and tries not to tire herself too much. Additionally, the profits of her craft are not for her, they go directly to Forum Against Cancer Through Encouragement and Support or FACES, an organization that Jessica and some other cancer survivors have started. Their members also include oncologists, medical representatives, and other hospital staff who have the heart to help cancer patients cope with their illness.

Jessica not only found a way to fight off a deadly condition, but she also proved that gardeners and plant lovers can bring their business to a different level, if they have the art and knack for it. At this point, however, Jessica could bring her art to the commercial level for from time to time, she is weakened by pain and has to rest. However, as long as she could manage, she continues to work with her hands and inspire many people.