WELCOME sweet people of Sugarlandia! I am your friendly kasimanwa artist and writer Tey Sevilleno and from now on, I will be bringing you stories about art, art destinations, culture, people, and everything for art's sake.
But let me introduce myself mga amigos and amigas. I am Tey Sevilleno and I was in production management, public relations, and marketing for more than 10 years until I resigned and went back to Bacolod to fully devote myself to art and all that goes with it. I am painting watercolors, doing mosaic pieces, and lately I am learning more about linocut and traditional printmaking. I also write in my travel and art blog www.thefatgoddess.com which is actually a break from my "other life" as a freelance writer and social media strategist. And with this art column, I am happy to be part of Sunstar Bacolod familia.
But first, what is mosaic? Mosaic is an image made of smaller pieces. My mosaic artworks are done in individually hand-cut ceramic tesserae/tiles, sea glass, colored glass, and found objects. Mosaics were first seen in Mesopotamia in the 3rd millennium BC in walls and floors. Many mosaics are made with pebbles, traditional stones, stained glass, smalti, beads, shells, coins, seeds, jewels, and charms.
So now, for our "pilot episode," I will be introducing you to the top mosaic destinations in Negros. And yes mga palangga, we have! I am sure you will also be surprised that you may have gone to one of them and you might have already seen these artworks and probably not realize that it is mosaic.
The first mosaic destination is in the city of Talisay, about 10 minutes from Bacolod. Most Negrenses that I have spoken to have not been to the San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church of Talisay or didn't know that there is mosaic art in this church.
The arch and front gate of the church showcases the different apostles of Jesus Christ. Each post is designed differently from each other. The subjects are religious icons, Philippine flora, and fauna in Filipino motif. Inside the church, there are two imposing wall mosaics of San Nicolas de Tolentino carrying some sugarcane and St. Francis of Assisi with his animals.
Exiting to the right of the church is a massive wall mosaic, approximately measuring 100-feet in width, which depicts the importance of the church in the history of this city. Negrosanons can identify with familiar subjects like the "sakadas" and "dumaans" working in the fields and the harvesting of sugarcane woven into the story.
I personally like how they also used the colors in a modernistic cubism way to tell the story of this church and its people. At the end of the wall, there is a grotto of Mary, the Mother of Jesus which is done in a mosaic of blue and white tiles.
Another must-visit on the church grounds of Talisay is a smaller chapel. I thought I had seen enough but when I entered this place, it has a more intimate feel to it. The mosaic done here is just beautiful. Please do not miss this when you visit.
Our first Bacolod stop is the Redemptorist Church. Inside the Redemp, as we fondly call it, you will find the 14 Stations of the Cross done by our mosaic teacher Gigi Campos. My favorite piece is the 11th Station, entitled Jesus Nailed to the Cross. You can see and feel the drama depicted in this artwork.
Our third top mosaic destination which is still in Bacolod is the Kampana Cafe in Mansilingan. As a kid, I really wondered what was inside this castle. If you visit, you can ask for a guided tour up to the top of the castle and you will know why it was built. (Now I know haha!)
Upon entering, you will be going through a giant lion head and it is made with a mosaic of hand-cut tiles. When they opened it to the public, they asked Kaila Ledesma-Trebol along with other artists to do the mosaic on the sculptures on the property. Among the interesting sculpture pieces done with mosaic here are a mini-castle, mermaid in the pond, and the different animals.
These are my top mosaic destinations in Negros and if you know of places like these, then please give me a follow on my Instagram: @tey.sev or my travel and art blog: www.thefatgoddess.com and message me your recommendations. Remember, we have to know our own first before we go out into the world. Padayon ta ya 'migs!