By Mila Glodava
Editor’s Note: This writer posted the article in 2008. She met Joey Velasco during her mission trip to the Philippines in preparation for the 2009 Buhay-Katiwala Conference which would feature Joey’s paintings of the renowned late painter and sculptor Joey also did a sculpture of a bust of his deceased friend, the Rev. Carlos Abesamis, S.J., a theologian and author of “Backpack of a Jesus Seeker,” who died on January 31, 2008. The sculpture was presented to Sts. Anne and Joachim Parish for inspiring parishes across the Church in the Philippines to embrace stewardship as a way of life. Sadly, Joey died shortly after the Stewardship Conference on July 20, 2010.
St. Thomas More parishioners, Stewardship Phil Lindemer, a member of the parish Stewardship Committee and Irene Lindemer, parish editor and graphics designer, and current Director of Communications and Stewardship, were among the international guests of said conference. They bought several framed paintings and decided to donate two (see below) to Metro Infanta Foundation to auction off and help with fundraising. In light of the recent Typhoon Karding that left massive damages to several parishes in the Prelature of Infanta, the Foundation hopes to get some Valasco painting collectors interested in acquiring the late artist’s creation.
In Joey’s home, which she shares with Queeny, his wife of thirteen years, and their four children, we saw many more inspiring works of art. Not only that, but his home is also a work of art. Just take a look at the photo below. The dining room table was once a door panel, flanked by colorful carved chairs. The 48×96″ Hapag ng Pag-asa greets guests at the Velasco home, which is Moroccan-inspired and filled with Joey’s own painting and sculptures and those of others who have inspired him.
Reflecting on Joey’s painting and the book that resulted, “They have Jesus: The Children of Hapag.” Father Abesamis was quoted as saying: “Through a painting on canvas, through 200 pages of script, you step into an extraordinary world. Take off your shoes. Hush. You are in sacred space. Let only your heart enter. Let only your heart see. You will see precious lotus blooming in mud. Let your heart listen. You will hear precious revelations from the lives of 12 extraordinary children and from the heart of an extraordinary author and painter. Only a hardened heart will leave this sacred space not wanting to walk with the author and the children…to change.”
“I painted this scene for my children,” he told us at SPI. “I wanted them to count their blessings.” Indeed the street children in his painting are a reminder of the stark reality of poverty and the homeless in the Philippines. Much more, he wanted the painting to remind his children of the values of charity and compassion.
Indeed, Joey’s painting calls one to conversion of the heart, to feel compassion for the little ones, especially the poor. How can any one not feel any compassion on the girl under the table, eating the crumbs right next to a cat. Joey recalls that this particular character was inspired by a photograph of a child, dying of hunger. The photograph was taken by Kevin Carter, a Pulitzer-prize winning photographer. Unable to do anything about this situation, the photopher killed himself. Joey wanted a different ending.
At the encouragement of a friend, he shared his painting with the world, and it has become an inspiration, a life-giving faith experience. “It is a gospel within a frame – a visual medium with a deep spiritual effect,” says Salesian Provincial Superior Father Arturo Sanchez. And the rest as they say is history.
The different ending Joey desired came to life via Gawad kalinga and Tony Meloto, the 2006 Ramon Magsaysay awardee, whose legendary work for the poor, has built thousands of homes for the homeless. With Tony’s help, Joey found all his children models and each was given a home through Gawad Kalinga.
As a result, Joey painted another scene, a more glorious one called, “Hapag ng Pag-ibig,” with all the children well-groomed and looking forward to a better and happier life.
Joey also was commissioned to do a sculpture of Father Patrick Peyton for Ireland, and he is working with Jim Caviezel, an American film and television actor who portrayed Christ in , “The Passion of Christ.” And as mentioned earlier, Joey will fashion a sculpture on the essence of Father Abe as a memorial to his lifetime work promoting his love for the bible, and his modeling of the life of Jesus.
For more details on Joey and his works of arts, just Google Joey Velasco and you will find all sorts of websites dedicated to him.
If interested in submitting a bid, please contact Mila Glodava at infanta.org@gmal.com.
