Step into Enrico’s room at the West Richmond Home and you’ll immediately see what matters most to him: family, art, and the memories he carries from home. Colourful paintings cover his walls alongside photographs of family celebrations and gatherings, creating a vivid picture of the life that fills him with joy.
Enrico loves art.
Using bright colours and bold designs, he paints scenes inspired by memories of his childhood in the Philippines. His artwork is deeply personal, capturing people, places, and moments that continue to hold meaning for him today. He also enjoys completing adult colouring canvases, often creating pieces that he generously shares with visitors.
Last fall, Enrico reached an exciting milestone when one of his pieces was selected for display at a community art exhibition in Vancouver. The opportunity allowed him to share his creativity with a wider audience and celebrate a passion that brings him joy.
While Enrico speaks Tagalog and only limited English, art has become a powerful way for him to communicate. His paintings tell stories that don’t require words.
“You can really see what is important to Enrico through his artwork,” says a support worker. “He paints memories of the Philippines, his family, and places that are meaningful to him. Art gives him a way to express himself and share those memories with other people.”
Enrico’s journey to Canada was made possible through the determination of his brother and sister, who worked hard to help him join family members already living here. Today, he is surrounded by a large extended family throughout the Lower Mainland who regularly visit to celebrate birthdays, holidays, and special occasions together.
Family connections remain at the heart of his life. The photographs displayed throughout his room are reminders of gatherings filled with laughter, love, and belonging.
At home, where he lives with three other men, creativity isn’t limited to painting. Enrico also loves karaoke. During a recent visit, music filled the house as he and his housemates sang along to favourite songs, smiling and joining in on familiar lyrics. It was a simple but powerful reminder of how shared activities help create connection and community.
Whether he is painting colourful scenes from childhood, sharing artwork with friends and visitors, spending time with family, or enjoying a karaoke session with housemates, Enrico expresses himself in ways that bring people together.
His paintings begin with memories, but they also tell a story about the present: a life enriched by family, friendship, creativity, and the opportunity to belong.
