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 opened today on February 28, 2PM, at Western Visayas Regional Museum (former Prison of Iloilo) located at Iloilo Provincial Capitol Complex, Iloilo City.
The mixed media artworks recreated some of the remaining Spanish churches in Iloilo.
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| Clockwise from Top Left: San Joaquin, Miag-ao, Tigbauan and Guimbal |
This includes that of his hometown San Joaquin and the stone churches of Miagao, Guimbal, Tigbauan, Molo, Jaro, Pavia, Santa Barbara, Cabatuan, Dingle, and Dumangas.
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| Clockwise from Top-left: Cabatuan, Dumangas, Dingle and Pavia |
Also included are the old Oton Church and Jaro Belfry.
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| Old Oton Church |
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 Miagao; the imposing domes, cupolas, bell towers; and the sturdy columns, arched entrances, naves, painted ceilings.
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| Clockwise from Top Left: Jaro Belfry, Jaro Cathedral, Molo and Sta. Barbara |
A seafarer and a teacher, Setubal's love for Iloilo culture and heritage started from his high school years.
He started sketching the built-heritage of Iloilo 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 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.