Hapag ng Pag-asa

From left to right: cover of the book written by the painter himself, the two facing pages of the painting in the book, my blockmates and I with Joey Velasco himself.

We watched a video exhibiting the obra of Joey A. Velasco, "Hapag ng Pag-asa" (Table of Hope) Oil on Canvas painting at the Beato building, at our theology class at which all of us was inspired by him.

The kids in the canvas depict the reality of the other side of life. What struck me most is Joyce (second on the table from the left) who got pregnant at the age of fourteen ang an unknown bony Sudan boy (kid beneath the table) who is struggling eating. When I've seen his picture, I almost shivered. And it is said that the one who took his photo didn't resist seeing the picture and died three months after.

Joey Valasco was actually not a painter. He's just discovered his painting skills by April of 2005 realizing that it was his passion - to be an instrument for most of the people to see what's beyond the picture - the hunger, wound and the brokenness that these kids feel which is reality. Seeing all his works, it makes you feel how fortunate and blessed you are.

On the twelfth of June.

***Independence Day is not for me. When I'm down to you, I feel so .....

That's the line that pops out my mind when I hear Independence Day. Actually, the line above was part of the chorus from one of the songs by Barbie Almalbis. I only heard the song once from a music channel a year ago I think and, for me, it's easy to go with the song. Anyway, this day is a time to commemorate for our National Heroes who fight for our liberty many years ago and especially for being Filipino and proud for that given freedom.

But it seems today that this freedom especially the freedom of expression is no longer visible to the Filipino people. Many journalists, supporters had been killed in connection with this year's election. Don't they have the right to express their abhorrence or even just their own opinions to leaders of our country. 2007 Elections have really made this country even more chaotic.

Bakit Baliktad Magbasa ng Libro ang Mga Pilipino? A book by the famous Bob Ong which entails a lot of our customs, traditions, our funny ways, and more importantly is for us to feel that no matter where we are or what we do, we are still Filipino in blood (literally) and in heart. wee.