ILOILO CITY, Jan. 14 (PNA)– Stemmed from their advocacy to help the Church and the victims of super typhoon Yolanda in Iloilo, an overwhelming number of local artists here joined the painting exhibit at the Museo de Iloilo here in relation to the arrival of Pope Francis to the Philippines on Thursday.
With the theme “Mercy and Compassion: An Apostolic Visit of Pope Francis in the Philippines,” the exhibit which started Jan. 9 until Jan. 30 features various painting of Pope Francis done by around 200 professional and students artists in Iloilo.
According to Fr. Rafael Luis Clavel, director of the Jaro Archdiocesan Youth Commission (JAYC), the exhibit is part of the preparation and to bring awareness to the Ilonggos regarding the coming of the Pope.
The purpose of the Pope for coming in the country is to show the “mercy and compassion” of Jesus with the affected of typhoon Yolanda, thus, the paintings also depict such.
According to Clavel, the proceeds of the exhibit will be used to help build houses of the typhoon victims in Northern Iloilo.
“The paintings are up for sale and the proceeds will be turned-over to the Commission on Social Action which is task to facilitate the building houses for the victims,” said Clavel. The prices of the paintings painted by professional artists ranges from Php 2,500 to Php 30,000 depending on the materials used each meanwhile those done by students are bit lower.
Among the medium used for painting are acrylic on canvas, oil on canvas, mixed media, oil pastel on canvas, opaque on canvas and cold cast marble.
Clavel shared that the artists participated in the exhibit because of its noble purpose.
“They wanted to help through their talent in painting. Through it, they could thank and return back to God the goodness and talent given to them,” Clavel said as he shared the sentiments of the exhibitor he spoke with.
Clavel said among the 38 renowned professionals artists who joined the exhibit are Eric Tacorda, Vic B. Galino Jr., Alex Ordoyo, Cesar Arro, Harry Mark Gonzales, Concepcion Carias, and El. Dosado.
Clavel said the exhibit will be a whole year round activity of JAYC.
“After the Jan. 30 exhibit at the Museo de Iloilo, we will transfer to other places and communities which are willing to welcome us like malls, schools and churches,” said Clavel.
Currently, Clavel said there were already paintings that were up for reservation by interested buyers.
“We just reserved the paintings first for the buyers because the exhibit is still up to Jan. 30 or in time with the Dinagyang Festival where we expect lot of people to see the exhibit,” Clavel said.
Aside from the JAYC, the exhibit is also sponsored by the Archdiocese of Jaro, Iloilo Cultural Research Foundation, Inc (Museo de Iloilo) and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT).(PNA)