The much talked-about paintings of the world renowned painter Joey Velasco which are currently on exhibit at the Auditorium of the Laoag City Hall have been viewed and appreciated by thousands of college and high school students, government and private employees and art lovers of Laoag City  and nearby towns since the paintings were unveiled at a program held on Sunday, July 25 at 4:00 in the afternoon.

 

 

The program, which was attended by dignitaries of the province led by Bishop Sergio Utleg and Governor Imee R. Marcos, also served as a tribute to the divinely inspired genius of Joey Velasco who, though was not professionally trained in painting, was able to “paint from his heart and pray with his brush” as described by Orly de la Cuesta, chairman of the Board of the Sanctuary of Hope and Love Foundation which is taking care of the paintings. Other political figures, such as Congresswoman Imelda Romualdez Marcos, viewed the paintings at a later date.

Most famous of the 21 canvasses on exhibit is “Hapag ng Pagasa”, a contemporary portrayal of the Last Supper scene with Jesus breaking bread with 12 dirty, impoverished, abandoned and hungry  street children. The sad and poignant story of each child’s life is eloquently depicted in his pose and facial expression. The life stories of the children are related by Joey Velasco himself in his book “They Have Jesus” which is on sale at the exhibit, together with reprint of the paintings and of other works of the artist.

 

Most viewers revealed having been deeply touched and conscienticized by the paintings thus they donated money generously to the mission of the Sanctuary of Hope and Love which is to build houses for abandoned children, orphans and abandoned elderly. The exhibit, which is free and is the last time the paintings are brought outside of Manila, can be viewed at the Laoag City Auditorium until August 3, 2010.