The last time I interviewed Phyllis Zaballero for my weekly column at a past life’s job, she graciously served much-desired everyone’s favorite egg tarts I suspected were hand-carried from Macao. Such a rare delicacy was still not readily available here at the metro, and that’s just to bring home a point of how long ago the encounter was. So, it was a pleasant surprise to bump into her once again during her latest exhibit at the Leon Gallery: Illuminations!

Phyllis had an eclectic education background, which consisted of time at the L’Universite de Geneve, Marymount College, La Universidad de Barcelona and the University of the Philippines. However, she eventually pursued a degree in Painting and finished with a latin honor — magna cum laude!

Since then, she has had several solo and group shows domestically and overseas, while her creations are spotlighted at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Bangladesh National Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Manila and in other sterling private collections and organizations.

“In Illuminations, Zaballero extends her commitment to creating art that resonates beyond the canvas,” the exhibition notes stated. “These works bring new life to spontaneous sketches, transforming them into luminous reflections of her creative journey. For those who admire her art, the exhibition offers an opportunity to view these pieces in person, appreciate their intricate beauty, and explore the stories behind them.”

Distributed at the exhibit were the CD case calendars — a selection of Phyllis’ 12 best obras, distilled into postcard form, accompanying the typical monthly calendar format. This thrust began in 2010 as an enticing token of appreciation for assistance granted to noble associations. Among the beneficiaries were the Carewell Community, which supports those affected with cancer, and the Chosen Children Foundation, as they provide support and a home for abandoned, neglected, and surrendered youngsters with physical, mental and social challenges.

The exhibit features 50 of her previous sketches and illustrations, which have all been artistically revamped through the discipline of illumination — a practice by monks of long ago wherein they would embellish the borders of a masterpiece with flourishes and illustrations. These margins, then, gave the prints a new life and thus enhances their total beauty and value.

As far as she was concerned, when she was just seven years old, her family moved to the city of Boston in the state of Massachusetts. In Grade One, she had to learn the Palmer method of writing, the same one De La Salle College — it wasn’t a university then — had back then.

However, on the side, she would scribble some doodles on her test papers whenever she was bored. She was a kid, after all! But one day, a religious nun got intrigued and ask for the culprit behind the vandalized exams. She confessed and was quickly called to the much-dreaded principal’s office.

But here’s the twist: All the nuns admired the illustrations. They loved it so very much, that they requested Phyllis to create more doodles on their Mass cards and other publication materials for the convent! This kickstarted her long-time love affair with art. And across the decades, she has produced numerous prints. Through this showcase, these are all given second wind with illuminations to be appreciated by the general public.

¡Enhorabuena, Phyllis!