The Santo Niño has been a part of our culture for centuries and is a fixture even in the arts. Songs have been composed, volumes of prose written and images abound.  In a recent conversation multi-award winning painter Michael Bacol from Cagayan de Oro shares his thoughts on a work showing the Holy Infant:

“It is visually obvious that Sto. Nino is the center of attraction in my painting. It means that Sto. Nino is the center of my life. I could still recall when I was a child, I always saw my mom praying in front of our Sto. Nino and also until now. my mom always told me that asking for His help, it will be granted. since then, I asked for Sto. Nino’s help to find my father. (we are broken family). since 2 years old until 22yrs old. I have never seen his presence, even pictures. I was longing for a father’s image. I was longing for a perfect family, I was longing for a nice home. The same of all the children of the poor. but with Sto. Nino’s help, I was able to see my father after college. I was once a kid with lots of dreams, lots of challenges in life but now a grown up man learned what life is all about. I am striving hard to face the success.”

The work is entitled “come in”
Oil on canvas, 122×91 cm 2003

The painting is available from the artist at his website. Contact him directly for details.

We found this set of beautiful images at Juned Sonido’s “Pinoy Snapshots” photo blog.

“As you can well see my other nephew “improved” , with a crayon or pen, the portrait of my Grandparents, Father, Aunt and Uncle. Portraits like this used to be a cottage industry of sorts. I used to see a lot of those in Filipino houses as well.”

Visit “Pinoy Snapshots”

Copyright 2005 Ernesto G. Sonido, Jr. All Rights Reserved. Used with kind permission.