IN celebration of the Sinulog festival, Seda Ayala Center Cebu opened a Sto. Niño art exhibit featuring 10 paintings of the Holy Child by artist Cesar Castillo.
In an interview, Castillo said the exhibit almost would not have pushed through because of the death of his younger and only sibling Glenn last Dec. 29, 2019. But, he said, he has always this devotion to the Sto. Niño and would always be painting Him during Christmas and Sinulog days. So, he chose to push through with the exhibit, including one painting of him and his brother when they were younger, which he did at his brother’s wake.
His paintings, in watercolor or acrylic, show devotees carrying the Niño, dancing the Sinulog. Most of them depict playful children holding small Sto. Niño statues. Castillo explained he always likes to paint children, even in his other paintings, like harvest scenes. He said this is because he believes that if the young are properly guided in prayer and work, they will grow to be good citizens who would eventually contribute to the growth and strength of our country.
The three-day exhibit launched last Jan. 15, held at the hotel lobby, also featured as backdrop, three Sinulog creations by Malayka Yamas, worn by past Sinulog festival queens.