Manila, Feb. 11 -- Reea Joy Marquez, a 30-year-old mother of two, has weathered life's challenges using strength gained from self-expression through art.

Reea learned painting at seven years old courtesy of the "Handog ng Panagbenga sa Pamilyang Baguio" (Panagbenga's Gift to Families of Baguio) painting event, where she first learned to express her thoughts through brush strokes.

This year's monthlong Flower Festival, more popularly known as "Panagbenga," will be until March 2.

Her mother always brought her and her sister to the event as a bonding activity and to express themselves on canvass.

"I am not an artist but I wanted to express myself, to place the images in my head on the canvass. I love doing this, just showing the images ...