Betis sculptor off to Rome to set up altar

GUAGUA, Pampanga -- Willy Layug has flown to Rome Thursday to set up the first ever Filipiniana altar dedicated to Filipino St. Lorenzo Ruiz and Blessed Pedro Calungsod at the prestigious Pontificio Collegio Filippino.

The altar is dominated by sawali and bamboo designs to show the unique Filipino character of the altar and will be set up in time for the declaration of Calungsod as second Filipino saint this month.

Layug has donated the altar as part of his commitment to bring part of Kapampangan religiosity to Rome in the form of ecclesiastical art. He added Betis craftsmanship in ecclesiastical art will be the same stage with the classical masters whose works adorn major churches and shrines in Roman Catholic churches a few blocks away.

The altar was made by Layug with his team of eight highly skilled sculptors from his workshop at Batis District of this town.

Layug said he had earlier presented the design of the altar to the current rector of Pontificio Collegio Filippino, Reverend Father Gregory Ramon Gaston. The altar will depict the martyrdom of St. Lorenzo Ruiz and Blessed Pedro Calungsod.

The altar was done through a combination of styles and wood carving techniques from estofado, wood relief, and wood embroidery. (Ian Ocampo Flora)