Filipino creative professional and marketing Mherck Dela Cruz has turned his art into a voice for solidarity, dedicating a powerful portrait to the children of Gaza amid the deepening humanitarian crisis.
In the striking photo, Mherck appears in a white suit adorned with bold red, black, and green floral designs — the colors of the Palestinian flag. His message was clear:
“Through these colors, I carry a reminder of the innocent lives, especially the children, facing hunger in Gaza. Every child deserves a future filled with food, love, and laughter. May this portrait be a prayer for strength, a symbol of hope, and a call for compassion. Palestine, stay strong! The world sees your courage.”
The tribute comes as Israeli forces intensified their assaults on August 18, 2025, killing at least 17 Palestinians in fresh strikes. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, the war’s death toll has now surpassed 62,000 lives lost, with more than 156,000 wounded since October 2023, AP News reported.
Rights groups have also sounded the alarm. Amnesty International accused Israel of deliberately starving Gaza’s population as a weapon of war, citing new testimonies from civilians, Al Jazeera reported. Meanwhile, The Guardian noted that thousands of families are fleeing Gaza City as Israel prepares to forcibly evacuate up to one million Palestinians, even as so-called safe zones continue to face bombardments.
On the diplomatic front, Egypt and Qatar are mediating negotiations, presenting Hamas with a 60-day truce proposal for phased hostage releases. At the same time, opposition to the war is mounting inside Israel itself, where The Guardian documented hundreds of thousands of protesters in Tel Aviv and other cities over the weekend, calling for an end to military operations and the release of hostages.
Internationally, lifelines of support continue. According to The Australian, Indonesia recently dispatched military aircraft carrying food, medicine, and emergency aid to Gaza, providing crucial relief for civilians trapped in worsening conditions.
Mherck currently serves as Marketing Manager at ME by Meliá Dubai, the only hotel in the world personally designed inside and out by the late Dame Zaha Hadid. Based in the stunning Opus building by Omniyat in the Burj Khalifa district, the property features 93 rooms and suites, and its signature Central Cosmo Tapas and Bar.
His journey abroad began when he was just five years old, first living in Hong Kong, before returning to the Philippines to pursue his bachelor’s degree. After graduating, he was drawn back to Hong Kong where his career first took shape in finance. He later worked in hospitality — starting as a cleaner and moving up to server — before spending nearly nine years in the nightlife industry, where he handled PR and marketing for prestigious clubs and connected with international stars like Ciara, Bruno Mars, and Sean Kingston.
