Lest this be misinterpreted as a desecration of Leonardo da Vinci's most famous work of art, local painter Joey Velasco said the face of Jesus Christ is an inspiration in all of his paintings.
But far from the usual paintings that depict Jesus as an icon of Christianity, Velasco shows Jesus amidst the problems besetting the country today.
In his "Heal Our Land" painting, Jesus is shown holding the Philippine flag with the red on top. Velasco said this shows the political crisis in the country.
In another of his paintings, a young boy was shown offering a drink to Jesus.
Others may see this as a simple piece but this bridged businessman Orly dela Cuesta and Velasco.
"None of the paintings that I saw around the world, moved me as much as that painting," said dela Cuesta, president of Victoria Sto. Tomas Development Corp. He first saw the painting hanging on one of the walls of his sister's call center building in Manila.
This inspired dela Cuesta to invite Velasco to hold an exhibit here despite the fact that they have never met.
They first met at an exhibit at the University of Sto. Tomas. It was here that they were formally introduced. Dela Cuesta said Velasco immediately agreed to hold an exhibit here.
"I am not a commercial painter," Velasco said, narrating that his being ill, and which almost cost him his life a few years earlier, inspired him to paint using as subject problems that exist in our country today.
"We are a nation at war, but we are not hopeless," Velasco said perhaps echoing the sentiment of many Filipinos caught between mudslinging of politicians.
Velasco launched his exhibit at the Baguio Convention Center last Friday. The exhibit will run until March 30, no entrance fees will be collected.
