WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY- PHILIPPINES

Dhale Mark P. Dayao

12 HUMSS

CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGIONS

LEARNING TASK Assignment “Hapag Ng Pag-Asa”

1. The artist– Joey Velasco

ANSWER:

“Live with passion. Live a purposeful life. Leave a legacy. Unless one accepts this truth, one can
never really truly live because one will tend to take time for granted as if one’s days are without
limit.” – Joey Velasco

Joey Velasco was born on March 18, 1967, to Ciriaco and Adelita Velasco. He took up law at the
Ateneo de Manila but had to leave to be in solidarity with his working-class parents.

He is a Filipino visual artist who dared to journey in a specialization, gingerly trodden by

Filipino artists---religious art. Velasco is best known for Hapag ng Pag-asa, a contemporary
retake of the Last Supper of Jesus with hungry street children.

An incredible artist (HEARTist rather) left the earth at the age of 43 years old when he passed
away because of kidney disease.

2. What kind of event is being portrayed in the painting?

ANSWER:

The imagery of “The Last Supper”, a mural painting by the Italian High Renaissance artist
Leonardo da Vinci, comes to my mind everytime I see this.

Joey Velasco first arrived to the national consciousness with this painting entitled “Hapag ng
Pagasa” (Oil on Canvas, 48" X 96") executed in 2005 which portrays 12 children he has met on
the streets of Metro Manila.

3. How did the artist express his emotions though art?

ANSWER:

As I ponder the artwork's significance, I presently conceded that it is a religious painting since
the message it seeks to send to its audience is clear. Additionally, it demonstrates that God is not
abandoning these kids and that he will dine with them regardless of who they are and where
they are in life. This reminds me of the imagery of The Last Supper. The artist hopes to evoke
empathy in the audience and make them aware of how fortunate they are compared to these
children. Because despite leading a nearly repulsive life, these children nevertheless have faith
that a tremendous future awaits them.

4. Your personal reflection/reaction.

ANSWER:

It's humorous to think that I see myself at the dinner table with Jesus. I was born in a very
unprivileged family. Back then, I couldn't understand why we were so deep in debt. Even as a
kid, I felt ashamed and thought it was bad to have obligations of any amount.

It's indeed scary to run out of money. Some things you enjoy in this life will vanish without it.
Forget material things, I'm talking about the people around you. Few of them respect you as to
how thick is your pocket, and some of them stick around you when you still got nickels to share.
Besides those, you also have your family that waits of when you will be able to give back what
they had given. You don't have a choice but to choose whatever door of opportunity opens, even
if it doesn't include the fascination burning inside of you.

The artwork reminds me that, we often talk about how God is merciful, loving, and kind. But it is
also necessary to learn that God is God. In doing so, we are enlightened through faith about the
nature of God so that He might lead us back to Him. To God be the glory.