Joaquin Elizalde

Over the last few years I have been seriously ill with diabetes which prompted weight gain that landed me in a wheelchair. I have been struggling with it for years, though now ambulatory and strong enough to consider re-entering into the world so to speak and attempting to launch a career in art.

My name is Joaquin Federico Elizalde. I was born on October 8, 1967 to one of the most prominent families in the Philippines (we're on Wikipedia - just look up "Elizalde Family"). I was born in Manila, attended international school until the ninth grade. Subsequently, I attended Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts and graduated from Gstaad International School in Switzerland. I then went on to Franklin Pierce College in New Hampshire and Maryland Institute of Art. I never finished and went into business instead in which I was unsuccessful. Recently I have returned to my first love - art and decided to donate 100 percent of my proceeds from art sales to FoodForward.org organization that fights hunger and prevents food waste.