Highlights
- Biñan-based artist MM Dacanay is struggling to make ends meet financially.
- She uses the resources around her to create art.
- Her leaf art portraits has gone viral after posting photos of her artwork on social media.
MM has always dabbled in the arts. Back in high school, Art was one of her favorite subjects, a hobby she continuously, though unconsciously, honed.
“Naka-focus ako noong high school sa oil pastel. Parang abstract. Magulo, pero may meaning (In high school, I was into oil pastel, painting abstract art. A bit messy in appearance, but it has a deep meaning),” MM shared.
When she entered the university as a Physical Therapy major (which she was unable to continue, due to her mum’s hospitalization), MM continued drawing and creating. That was when she discovered textography, or the art of arranging text visually to form a face or an object. 
As she’s the type who likes doing something new, she eventually played around with materials they have at home, like matchsticks, and malunggay leaves.
In college, MM discovered textography, or the art of arranging text visually to form a face or an object Source: Supplied by MM Dacanay
Back then, she had also posted these art works on social media, succeeding to get some customers to commission her art. But this was nowhere near the overwhelming amount of attention she got after she posted her leaf art portraits online this September 2020.
Going Viral
At 23 years old, MM is an Internet native. When two of her Internet idols, famous Filipino Youtubers Lloyd Cadena and Emman Nimedez passed away, MM was inspired to create leaf art portraits as tributes to them.
She picked up fallen jackfruit leaves from the langka tree in front of their house, and, using a cutter, started to sculpt the faces on the leaves. At present, she has ditched the cutter for a scalpel, which is far easier to use.
MM shares her process, “Nakatingin ako sa reference tapos iske-sketch ko siya sa dahon. Sa leaf po ako magsketch gamit ang ballpen (I have a reference photo, which I use to sketch on the leaf using a ballpen).”
MM Dacanay created leaf art portraits of YouTubers Lloyd Cadena and Emman Nimedez as tributes, which went viral. Source: Supplied by MM Dacanay
She took some photos of the leaf portraits online and more than 20,000 shares later, MM is now famous as the leaf artist. Her inspiring story has touched so many lives. And of her art work? It’s truly unique, leaving no doubt to the amazing talent MM has.
These days, MM is as busy, if not busier, than ever. But in a wholly different way, when she was working six to seven times a week, twelve hours a day, in a manufacturing plant. Indeed, her viral fame has opened a lot of opportunities for her.
MM Dacanay likes doing unique art. She experimented with malunggay leaves and created a Kobe Bryant portrait Source: Supplied by MM Dacanay
Besides the overwhelming amount of commissioned work she is currently doing, MM has been offered teaching jobs, and an exhibit is in the works.
She’s still working seven days a week, but this time, it’s different. “Sobrang blessing po ng mga nangyari, hindi ko po ine-expect (What happened is such a great blessing, I really didn’t expect this),” MM says.
Laughing, MM shares her friends are still teasing her, “Uy hindi ka na ma-reach, sikat ka na!” (Wow, you’re so popular!)” It’s been a month, and MM is still entertaining interview and shoot requests left and right. MM also started her own vlog on YouTube.
Art as fulltime work?
MM is thankful she is able to make ends meet now. But grounded and realistic, MM knows this setup might be temporary, despite her best efforts.
“Nag-viral at sakto malapit na mag-December. Depende kung tuloy-tuloy ang orders, go pa rin po ako, pero kapagpag napansin ko na lie low na, time na siguro to look for a job (I went viral and luckily, December is just months away. It depends if I get a steady flow of orders. I’d love to continue. But if I notice that it’s lying low already, then I’d know it’s time to look for a steady job),” MM says.
Whatever happens, art will always be a huge part of MM’s life. Wherever life and this fame lead her, MM knows her mum will be there to guide her in spirit.
MM Dacanay's leaf portrait of her mom, her guardian angel Source: Supplied by MM Dacanay
“Since namatay yung mother ko po, doon ko po nilabas ang aking talent. Siguro kasi namimiss ko sya. Siya ang guardian angel ko. Sabi ni Papa naka-guide si Mother sa akin. (When my mum died, that’s when I showed my talent more. Maybe because I miss her. I consider her my guardian angel, even my dad believes she’s guiding me all this time.”
