ILOILO – The National Museum of the Philippines celebrates the built heritage of Iloilo in the exhibit “Iglesia: Heritage Churches of Iloilo” by Cristhom Selibio Setubal, a visual artist from the historic San Joaquin town.
The exhibit opens today, Feb. 28, at 2 p.m., at the Western Visayas Regional Museum (former Prison of Iloilo), located at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol Complex in Iloilo City.
The mixed media artworks recreated some of the remaining Spanish churches in Iloilo, including that of his hometown, San Joaquin, and the stone churches of Miag-ao, Guimbal, Tigbauan, Molo, Jaro, Pavia, Santa Barbara, Cabatuan, Dingle, and Dumangas.
Also included are the old Oton Church and Jaro Belfry.
Setubal creatively utilized scraps to depict the notable features of each structure, like the bricks, limestone, and corals; the intricate ornamentation of facades like that of San Joaquin and Miag-ao; the imposing domes, cupolas and bell towers; and the sturdy columns, arched entrances, naves and painted ceilings.
A seafarer and a teacher, Setubal’s love for Iloilo’s culture and heritage started in his high school years. He started sketching Iloilo’s built heritage in 2016 and explored other media to depict the same subjects while he was in seclusion during the pandemic.
He used waste objects like aluminum sheets, espresso pods, computer parts, beads, chicken wires, and copper wires for the details, with repurposed driftwood as the base.
Aside from promoting environmental activism and sustainable art, Setubal hopes to inspire the youth to appreciate the rich heritage of Iloilo as seen in these beautiful churches.
For queries, email iloilo@nationalmuseum.gov.ph, call 327-3782, or message the official Facebook page – National Museum Western Visayas./PN