A vision-impaired artist’s canvases in confection
The artist behind Cakenimaria, Maria Cristina Cunanan, 32, greeted us with a warm but reserved smile. Her self-effacing demeanor was a stark contrast to the bold hues and intricate figures of her hand-painted vegan cakes—creations that looked like they belonged in a museum rather than on a dessert table.
I had long been curious about her cake-painting workshops, but schedules never lined up. So when she invited me to visit her studio, I couldn’t refuse.
My sister and our kids were the first guests at Cakenimaria’s beautiful all-white Mandaluyong studio. Stepping inside felt like entering a blank canvas: pristine, peaceful, and full of creative possibilities.
Getting there was another story; entry through the narrow alley to the studio proved challenging. Since we were up for an adventure, we persisted. Then, as if we were deemed worthy, tricycles and children playing suddenly parted like the Red Sea for our vehicle to pass through and comfortably park inside the studio’s gated apartment compound.
Cunanan seemed painfully shy but graciously provided our noisy gang with easels to hold our vegan chocolate cakes covered in white fondant, paper, and pens for those who wanted to sketch drafts, aprons, brushes, and assorted vegan food coloring on clear palettes.
Detailed art form
She explained that painting on cakes was like using watercolors, and we had to be careful not to poke holes into the delicate frosting. She showed us one she made of a cat, then she let us be.
Left to our own devices, my daughter Juno used my phone to summon a peg of Spongebob Squarepants. I painted red tulips, the worldwide symbol of Parkinson’s disease for hope and optimism. My son Jack did a portrait of David, my PvZ-crazy nephew painted a bell pepper, while his sister Dior made a tree.
As we painted, it was clear that Cunanan had mastered this delicate and detailed art form. But her journey to becoming a sought-after cake artist was anything but straightforward.
In 2015, she completed a Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) baking course after financial constraints prevented her from finishing her marketing degree. In 2020, she lost her job, and the self-taught artist fully committed to her craft.
Cakenimaria became known for boundary-pushing cake designs and painting workshops. With the power of word-of-mouth and social media, Cunanan started gaining recognition in magazines and television features.
Yet, even as Cakenimaria flourished, Cunanan still battled personal challenges. She wrote on her Instagram, “I never knew that quitting my job because of my disability would lead me to this.” She observed that life redirects people toward their true purpose.
Veganism
Using her Person With Disability (PWD) card at the grocery invites skeptical glances. “People assume disability always looks obvious,” she said. When people hear her story and see what she creates, they can’t believe she has an eye condition.
“Disabilities aren’t always visible,” she said. “People expect a cane or a wheelchair, but not someone like me.” It’s a stigma she hopes to break.
Diagnosed in 2017 with a hereditary retinal detachment, Cunanan initially mistook her vision distortions for migraines. As her eyesight worsened, a persistent, grainy haze made even simple tasks disorienting, causing dizziness and nausea. Sometimes, she can’t tell if the floor is sloped or if she’s about to step onto the stairs.
Cunanan’s vision improved significantly when she switched to veganism. “It took me about two years to fully enjoy my sight again. There’s still some distortion, but it’s much better than 2018,” she said. She continues to paint cakes, managing symptoms with short breaks.
Her ophthalmologist remained skeptical about her diet’s role in vision improvement, but the results were undeniable. Seeing her progress, they simply advised her to continue whatever was working.
“It was too late to operate on me, so I should just avoid straining my eyes since my condition can worsen over time,” she said.
Inspiring others
Cunanan’s obstetrician was more supportive and confirmed the benefits of eliminating red meat and dairy for managing the endometriosis and myoma that she had suffered from before. She thoughtfully even served us vegan alfredo pizza from IVegan after our session.
What would be most helpful to her at this point? “More onsite workshops. I want to show that being vegan is fun—it doesn’t have to be boring. Also, the importance of healing the body, mind, and inner child. That’s the focus of my meditative workshops. Hopefully, more in the coming years, along with more playful vegan products.”
As she grows Cakenimaria, Cunanan hopes to inspire others to embrace creativity, no matter their circumstances. “You’ll never know you’re good unless you try,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to explore new things and discover a different medium.”
Unprompted, Jack arranged some cashews served for snacks onto his cake and etched it on purpose for heavy outlines. My fearless boy created something that looked like an African bas-relief.
So, if you ever find yourself in Mandaluyong, brave that eskinita, dodge a few trikes, and step into the all-white wonderland of Cakenimaria’s studio. You might just leave with a masterpiece that nourishes the body and soul.
Cakenimaria’s studio is at 7 Sto Rosario Ext., Mandaluyong, or check out Cakenimaria on Facebook and Instagram.
