Nikaella Mariano is an artist not only in the traditional sense, but also in her ability to craft and share her compassionate nature with the most vulnerable among us. This year we selected her to be one of our Hearts in San Francisco artists, charmed by her mango-inspired Heart titled “Puso ng Mangga: Heart of the Mango” and touched by her personal journey.
Dedicated to providing care, Nikaella has a close relationship with Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center. She serves as a Health Advocate (HA) volunteer at the Hospital, acting as a resource navigator in the Birth Center and 6M Pediatric departments, meeting with patients and families to screen for social determinants of health and curate resources tailored to their living situation.
“Nursing, and healthcare as a whole, is more than just providing care, it is about shaping a system where compassion, equity, and dignity are not exceptions, but expectations.” Nikaella Mariano
Health advocates are an integral part of the healthcare system. They collaborate with providers, nurses, social workers, and ancillary staff to ensure all patients and families feel supported, empowered, and well-equipped to thrive even after they leave hospital grounds.
Nikaella has found deep fulfillment in her decision to pursue nursing. This path has helped her to give back to the community that raised her and reinforced the notion that healthcare professionals are much more than those administering pharmacological or physiological interventions; they are the first line of solace for those facing the intricate complexities of life and death.
“To pursue nursing is a privilege in itself, but the chance to actively work towards reframing life not as a passage or measure of time, but as a mosaic of everything we love and value, reinforces my commitment to cura personalis: care for the whole person.” Nikaella Mariano
Nikaella’s application and final piece for the Hearts in San Francisco 2026 series is both unique and a perfect reflection of her values. With roots in the Philippines, Nikaella chose to depict mangos as they are not only the national fruit and “golden heart” of the country, but are also seen as symbols of hope.
“Mangoes hold memories of care expressed without words, of love rooted in cultural tradition, and of family shaping identity in the quietest ways.” Nikaella Mariano
The depiction of diced mangoes is representative of the culture of care seen in many Asian families, in which an unspoken love language is sharing a plate of cut fruit. Nikaella draws inspiration from warm childhood memories of her mother and grandfather dicing cubes of fruits with love and intention in every slice.
Like a beacon of light, “Puso ng Mangga: Heart of the Mango” illuminates every space it enters. Embodying unconditional love, Nikaella’s Heart is a physical representation of compassion and hope for a brighter future.
“Inspiration often sparks from the most unsuspecting places, and the intention you carry in your heart ripple far beyond a sketchbook page of clinical setting. Sometimes, the quietest expressions of who you are—your culture, your craft, or your care—can weave the very guide rope that illuminates your path forward.” Nikaella Mariano
