University of San Agustin safeguards Filipino heritage in Western Visayas

Urdaneta Hall, structure that survived World War II

With a sturdy commitment of preserving Filipino culture in the island of Panay in Western Visayas, the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City has become a proponent of heritage conservation, fostering appreciation of historical landmarks and the rich Ilonggo literary and performance arts. It has also led in conserving various repositories and archives of important historical and cultural records.

The university hosted the lecture series of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ (NCCA) Angat Kabataan Camp, a major cultural event during the Heritage Month of May. The youth camp drew almost a hundred youth delegates from regions across the country.

Bulacan artists interpret Christ in ‘Kristo’

Clockwise from upper left:  Works by Jill Arwen Posadas, Reynaldo Amido, Francisco Nacion, and Gerrico Blanco. Photo by Jilson Tiu.

“KRISTO,” THE annual Lenten offering of visual artists from Bulacan, is now on its 10th year with a larger participation of homegrown talents—from beginner artists to established and acclaimed names.

The month-long exhibition opened April 13 and features the works of 64 artists from the province, who tackle through their styles and idioms this year’s theme “Alay,” also the theme of its Manila counterpart exhibit, “Kristo Manila.”

The exhibit’s founder, artist Salvador “Buddy” Ching says the exhibit aims to showcase the works of professionals, students and hobbyists, to pay tribute to the “true Master.” Ching started “Kristo” in 2001 as his panata (religious commitment) during Lent.

Santo Domingo Museum exhibits works by Joey Velasco

“HAPAG ng Pag-asa” and other works of the late religious artist Joey Velasco are on exhibit at Museo de Santo Domingo in Quezon City until April 24.
The exhibit “Beyond Life” seeks to help Catholics this Lent to “meditate on the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ through the paintings,” said Fr. Giuseppe Arsciwals, OP, prior of the Sto. Domingo Convent. 

Quoting Velasco’s wife Queenie, Father Arciwals said the exhibit was so titled “[because] Joey has left this world but he continues to live through his paintings.”

Velasco, who died last year, was noted for his paintings and other artworks that combine Christianity and social realism.

“Hapag ng Pag-asa” is Velasco’s version of the Last Supper on a 4x8-ft canvas. It depicts Christ breaking bread with Filipino street-children. Models for the children were street urchins who have since been rehabilitated.

Also on exhibit is “Hele,” which shows Christ with special children.

Velasco’s affection for the young people is displayed in “Munting Sereneo,” in which three children help the suffering Christ carry the Cross.

Lavish coffee-table book honors heroes, trailblazers, saints and valiant history of Bataan

THE DEBACLE of Bataan on April 9, 1942 was never meant to go down history as a nation’s insurmountable defeat, for “it made heroes out of many, carving their niches as warriors in the glory of battle.” As a contemporary historian puts it, it’s ”the very reason why the historic event earned its fitting title, ‘Araw ng Kagitingan.’”

Such is how historian Jose Victor Torres puts it in his article, “Defeat and Glory: The Battle of Bataan (1942),” which is the closing essay of the lavish coffee-table book, “Peninsula of Faith and Valor: Bataan Through the Centuries” (Tomas Pinpin Publications, 2010).

Book celebrates Bataan history, Tomas Pinpin, and Church heritage

Photo by Jilson Tiu

THE LAVISH coffee-table book, “Peninsula of Faith and Valor: Bataan Through the Centuries,” documents the glorious heritage of the historic province west of Manila, noted for being one of the first to embrace Christianity, aside from producing the first Filipino author and printer and displaying courage and patriotism especially during the Dutch invasion in the 17th century and the Japanese invasion in the 20th century.

Young Filipinos take voyage of heritage and faith

Nuestra Senora de la Paz y Buen Viaje goes to Cebu

Participants and organizers of Viaje del Galeon.

IT WAS both a voyage of faith and heritage for 300 youthful souls who joined the Viaje del Galeón, Oct. 8-11, as part of the Dia del Galeón (Day of the Galleon) celebrations.


Dia del Galeón, of course, was the first international commemoration of the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade that flourished from 1565 to 1815. The celebration was organized by Spain, Mexico and the Philippines.

The youth cruise was notable since the image of Nuestra Señora de la Paz Buen Viaje (Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage) of Antipolo accompanied it. It was the first time for the icon to set sail again after 200 years.


“What you love, you bring along with you,” Msgr. Rigoberto de Guzman, director of the Antipolo Shrine, said in his homily for the opening Mass, referring to the centuries-old Antipolo image. The Mass was held on board SuperFerry 20.
De Guzman underscored that the devotion to the Marian image was one of the most significant legacies of the galleon trade. He also stressed that, to date, the Philippines had remained a “bastion of faith.”

‘Siete Palabras’on TV: A Lenten ritual, spectacle

In the broadcast coverage this year will be testimonials of faith from multi-awarded movie director Marilou Diaz-Abaya and CNN Hero of the Year Efren Penaflorida

Dominican priest delivers his reflection for the Siete Palabras.

NOW ON ITS 15TH YEAR, the “Siete Palabras” at the Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City has become the key Lenten program on Philippine TV.

The program broadcasts the annual Good Friday sermons by the Dominican fathers of the Santo Domingo Convent on the Seven Last Words of Christ.

In an interview, Fr. Sonny Ramirez, OP, one of the pioneer homilists of the program, said “Siete Palabras” is “most inspiring” because it motivates rather than just entertains its audience.