Pampanga foundation presents first Phl ecclesiastical exhibit

• Source: http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/23569/Volume-9-No-30/Headlines/span-style-color-rgb-255-0-0-span-style-text-decoration-underline--OBRA-SAGRADA-span--span-br-Pampanga-foundation-presents-first-Phl-ecclesiastical-exhibit
• Monday, September 28, 2015

(Punto! Central)

ANGELES CITY, PAMPANGA— The Foundation for Lingap Kapampangan, Inc. (FLKI), formerly known as the Save Pampanga Movement, is set to launch the country’s first ecclesiastical exhibit, “Obra Sagrada,” to provide support and raise awareness for Filipino religious artisans. The event will take place on Oct. 10 and 11, 2015 at the Event Centre of SM City Clark, with support from the Archdiocese Commission on Church Heritage and the Shopping Center Management Corporation (SCMC), which operates SM Supermalls.

Obra Sagrada will showcase the work of more than 20 artists from Pampanga, Bulacan, Bukidon, and Metro Manila, with many representing families who have continued the trade for generations. The selection of products ranges from vestments to sculptures, altars, retablos, church furniture and fixtures, religious home decor, and restoration, gold leafing and metal smithing work.

One of the exhibiting artisans is Betis-based, Wilfredo “Willy” Layug, who created the “Our Lady of Palo” statue for the Papal Visit earlier this year. A recipient of the Presidential Medal of Merit Award for Ecclesiastical Arts, he will present his signature retablos and images finished in the traditional Spanish “estofado” technique for painting.

Among the other noted artists are Santiago Banal; Gener Bautista; Alejandro Carpio; Luisito Cayanan; Renato Cayanan; Rodico de Dios; Rolando Flores, Dom Martin Gomez, OSB; Reggie Honrada; Thomas Joven; Edwin Layug; Nicholas Lugue; Edgar Nucum; Alberto Pangilinan; Lito Ramirez; Francis Sibug; and Anita Sunga. The participating artist groups are Artikles in Wood, Chez les Saints, Kraut Art, and Renaissance Wood Masters.

During the exhibit, there will also be a line-up of informative talks. On Saturday, Bp. Pablo S. David, D.D. will speak about “Understanding Iconography,” followed by Fr. Genaro Diwa’s “Worship and Christian Iconography.” On the last day, UST Museum’s Dr. Anna H. Bautista, and architect and planner, Edgardo A. Castro will focus on “Appreciating Heritage.” In addition, Obra Sagrada will be a dedicated stop for a special Pampanga Church Tour set for that weekend.

FLKI hopes to make Obra Sagrada an annual event that will involve more craftsmen from all over the country. By creating recognition and continued patronage for local religious artisans both here and abroad, the foundation aims to establish the Philippines as the premier destination for finely crafted and traditionally made religious items in the Asia-Pacific region.