Walls That Speak: Student Artist Sprays New Life Into Cebu’s Graffiti Scene

When you envision the streets of Cebu, you might think of skyscrapers and sprawling malls, busy jeepney routes, and sidewalks. But tucked between these familiar landmarks are overlooked spaces like blank walls, underpasses, and alleyways, which may be mundane concrete works, but for some, they claim as their canvas.

For Snafu, a Fine Arts student from the University of the Philippines Cebu and a member of The Realest Writers (TRW), a group of Cebu-based graffiti artists and street writers, an empty wall means a potential work in the making, where urban spaces we pass by can hold more than paint, but a story to represent artistic identity.

If you see a graffiti piece covering an entire wall anywhere in Cebu, featuring a skull with hands acting as its teeth and a sun on its head, you might be looking at one of Snafu’s works. This signature symbol reflects the idea that while death may be inevitable, we can make the most of our time by looking forward to better days ahead with hope in our hearts.

“Ang akong character nga gi-imbento kay mahug man jud siya’g reminder sa atoang mortality. Naay kahumanan tanan, pero ganahan sad ko magpakita nga muhatag kog hope ba. Mao na akoang character naa jud nay kalabira ug adlaw, kana, although para mucontrast sha sa symbol nga kalabera, ang adlaw maoy muhatag hope gali,” said Snafu.

[My signature character is meant to remind us of our mortality. Everything eventually comes to an end, but I also want to convey a sense of hope. That’s why my character always features a skull and a sun. The skull represents life’s end, and the sun symbolizes the hope that shines beyond it.]

Inspired by local artists like Soika, he hopes to continue the legacy of Cebu street art by proving that its presence never truly fades. To achieve this, he leads a crew of street artists, mentoring newer members and aspiring artists to help shape and grow their collective.

ZiJack, a member of the TRW, shared that Snafu was his mentor and the reason why he fell in love with street art. He believes that Snafu’s passion to create and inspire others goes beyond painting walls; he cultivates a strong sense of community.

“Usa na siya sa akoang maestro kay usa sad siyas magtudlo nako sa pagtira diri sa kadalanan,” ZiJack explained. “Makaingon jud ko na nindot gyud ni tawhana gyud mutira, basta padayon ra gyud siya sa kung unsa iyang tripping ron, naa ra gyud ko permi sa iyang kilid gyud, di na ma-wa.”

[He’s one of my mentors because he’s the one who taught me how to paint street walls. I can confidently say that he’s a talented artist, and I hope he continues doing what he loves. I’ll always be by his side, supporting him every step of the way.]

Snafu’s commitment to passing these values on to more artists has become a defining part of his work, ensuring that Cebu’s street art will thrive long into the future.

While leading his own team, Snafu also balances life as a Fine Arts major. He shared that he initially wanted to enter UP Cebu because he hoped to show that street art, too, deserves a place in the academic landscape. 

However, Snafu emphasizes that the discipline required for schoolwork is very different from that of street art. While academic work is grounded in theory and structured learning, street art demands hands-on practice, where the artist must learn mostly through personal experience.

“Ang sa skwelahan man gud nga mga gama kay mostly practice pa siya nya gibahid sad mo sa ilang pamaagi. Lahi sad siya sa kining amoang pamaagi sad nga. Kasagaran gyud sa akong mga nailhan nga street artists, grafitti writers kay self-taught gyud siya tanan,” he said.

[The work we do in school is mostly practice, and you’re also guided by the professors’ methods. It’s really different from our own way of creatings works in street art. Most of the street artists and graffiti writers I know are completely self-taught.]

Much like his aspiration to establish a place for street art within the academe, Snafu also recognizes the need for greater public understanding that graffiti is, in fact, a legitimate and meaningful form of art.

TiilxBabaxKamot: Collab with ESKAPO x SNAFU x KOMPOZTIKA

Graffiti might be celebrated in big cities around the world, but in Cebu, most people still see it as an eyesore. Snafu and his crew often face suspicious stares and discouragement whenever they’re out on the streets. He shared that a lot of Filipinos think graffiti is just vandalism.

“Di man jud suportado and art diri jud sa Pinas. Daghan artists, pero di namo mafeel ba. Kuwang pajud ang art spaces, so natural, mangita jud mi among space, mangita jud mig lugar kung asa mi makaexpress sa among ganahan kay wala. Minus man, minus man ang suporta jud,” he added.

[Art really isn’t supported much here in the Philippines. There are plenty of artists, but you hardly feel it because there just aren’t enough art spaces. So naturally, we have to find our own spaces, we have to look for places where we can freely express what we want because there’s really none. The support is just so lacking.]

Despite this, Snafu is determined to shift perceptions. He believes that by continuing to create street art, even without widespread support or recognition, they can gradually create a more inclusive and accepting view of their works.

“Kuwang sad gyud ug suporta atong gobyerno sa arts… sa akoang mga gama o agi, naningkamot jud ko na maka-inspire sa uban na nindot sad ug dili ra vandal ang tag sa ato pakato, naa sad gyud ug nindot sa mata ug na’y unod,” he emphasized.

[Our government really lacks support for the arts... In my work, I truly strive to inspire others and show that what we do is more than just vandalism, and that what we create can also be visually pleasing and have real substance.]

He acknowledges that not everyone may appreciate their craft, but he sees street art as his way of giving back to his community and shaping the identity that colors the streets of Cebu.

The next time you see graffiti art in the streets of Cebu, think of Snafu and the many artists like him, those who dedicate their time and passion to transforming blank walls into powerful stories. Now, the walls can speak and are brought to life by artists like Snafu, who give them a voice.

Beyond the spray paint and bold colors lies a message of resilience, creativity, and community, proving that street art is more than mere vandalism. It’s a voice for the city and its people, a reminder that art can thrive in even the most unexpected places.

Photos taken from Snafu's Official Facebook Page and this writer's archives.