Jacqueline “Nikki” Dominique Go, the founder of the Damgo Art Therapy Foundation and author of The Adventures of Damgo: Betta and The Dry Lands, shares the story of how her inspiring journey began at the age of 16.
The Art Therapy Foundation originated as her eighth-grade project. Since she didn’t want it to end with her graduation, she collaborated with the Visual Club at International School Manila and Bahay Aruga, hoping that this partnership would last for many years and continue from generation to generation.
Art has always been a part of Nikki's life since early childhood. Her love for her family and art sparked the idea to help cancer patients. “Both sides of my family have hereditary cancer,” she said. Her empathy led her to work with Bahay Aruga to support young patients, involving them as the illustrators of The Adventures of Damgo: Betta and The Dry Lands.
“Art therapy is a way for people to explore their emotions, including very deep and difficult ones. Not only did the patients at Bahay Aruga express how they felt about their conditions and aspirations in life, but their families also joined in and explored their emotions,” Nikki recalled.
Nikki’s goal is to make a difference using her book. She seeks to convey that dreaming is a crucial factor in recovery, which can make the journey more manageable. The process of creating her book was a challenge for her. She even tried to place herself in the moments when she heard of family members passing away from cancer. She realized that during such times, people are driven by hope, searching for an escape to find happiness and a sense of carefreeness. This is what she aimed to incorporate in her book—a carefree, dream-like escape.
Her story left a strong impression on me. In just a few words, she captured the feelings of both the patients and their families, showing how they struggle with their situation. Even without meeting them personally, I could sense the suffering they have endured.
The connection between Nikki, cancer, and the patients is so powerful that it has the potential to inspire others. Although our experiences may differ, we can still find ourselves in situations similar to Nikki’s, though not identical. This connection has the power to create major changes and encourage others to do the same.
Jean Bonilla-Bernardo, one of the board members of Bahay Aruga, also expressed her gratitude to the Art Therapy Foundation. The art workshop they initiated disrupted the children’s routine of traveling between Bahay Aruga and PGH, and it continues to this day, with children applying the skills and knowledge they gained from it. The children’s artwork has also been sold to fund medical assistance.
The Adventures of Damgo: Betta and The Dry Lands highlights how small or big changes can impact many people, especially with its goal of providing therapeutic activities to inspire cancer patients, encourage them to dream, and generate excitement for what lies ahead. "Damgo means ‘dream’ in Cebuano,” Nikki mentioned.
What Nikki aims to communicate resonated with me. She was grateful to have started the foundation early. She expressed that, regardless of the outcomes, she believes the book can also serve as a reminder of the young patients and what they were able to accomplish. It clearly shows her enthusiasm and love for the patients. Her inspiration for a dream-like book featuring animals in unlikely places is impressive, revealing the thought she put into it.
In making a difference in our environment and helping others, age should not be a limitation. When you are eager and passionate about something, your motivation will carry you through every challenge.
By Alleah Kassandra V. Dela