Video Description: On the Canvas of Society
While you watch this video, allow me to share with you some words as a backdrop or background of this video.
What follows is an excerpt from Joey Velasco's speech at the start of his Book Launching and First Solo Exhibit in Art Asia. His book is entitled "They Have Jesus: The Stories of the Children of Hapag" and was launched on Oct. 13, 2006.
Jesus Christ never wrote a book. The only scene in the Gospel where we saw him write was on the sand. But what he wrote was blown by the wind. What was etched in our minds forever in history and in eternity was his preference for the outcasts and rejects.
In the future, I will be like the sand that will be blown by the wind. I will remain an unknown artist and writer. I will soon be forgotten. May the things I wrote in which I commit myself, be etched forever.
Countless books have been written in the past about the triumph of the human spirit and about great men who were larger than life. This simple book purports to share the stories of a handful of small lives whose voices are often unheard and whose tiny dreams are shattered before they can even take form. I just allowed them to speak for themselves even amidst the environment of cynicism. Their story does not seem much because it is so simple, but it is definitely deep because it speaks of and mirrors the ills of society.
I have learned from them that immersion or "sawsaw suka" is not enough, just for the feel-good-effect. Presence is the name of the game. Presence is what we are called for.
I do not aim to do a Mother Theresa here or to fire up a grand vision like that of the great Tony Meloto whose environmental and social reengineering of Gawad Kalinga is becoming global. I am aware that I am surely not a powerful force to advocate change that will prevent hunger and raise funds. I am not a wealthy person. I am just a painter. I cannot be a front liner of any movement. But I know I can make a difference. This is my personal healing and transformative journey through the children's pain, hope, faith, and liberation that can reach across generations and cultures.
I wrote this book not out of conceit or in order to highlight the rare privilege of having painted with and from the heart. I am not sharing my strength as an artist or as a writer, but my weakness as a fellow journeyer, who witnessed these children drifting in the dark. Initially, I thought they were lost only to find out in the end that I was the one who was actually lost. It is not a testimony of how I pitied poor children. It is an acknowledgement of God's abounding compassion for me. I am writing this to share how the Lord Himself painted through me and continues to give His message of hope and unconditional love through my humble work. In doing this, I wish to commit myself more and to live up to what is yet to unfold in the pages of this book.
di ko alam kung paano sasabihin,saan mag-uumpisa nanuyo ang lalamunan,napalunok ,pero alam ko walang sinuman ang di tatamaan ng paint/story na ito,maraming sana ang paulit ulit na sumagi sa isip ko,maraming bakit,pero alam ko rin na may nakalaan para sa lahat,at sa iyo bro.you have touch many hearts thru your masterpiece keep it up
sabi nga nila ang buhay daw ng tao ay katulad din sa isang basura pag di ka n kailangan ng lipunan ara ka n lang isang %%% sa lansangan... papaano nga ba mababago ang kahirapan ng buhay ng tao? aasa na lang tau sa mga taong nagpapatakbo ng ating gobyerno?, sa mga sarili nating katawan na kumakayod nagpapakahirap para mabuhay?, O iaasa na lang natin lahat sa Diyos??? kailangan ba natin lagi makapanood ng mga dokyumentaryong mnakakapag-bago ng ating buhay? sana nga at panalangin n lang natin n magbago pa ang kinasasadlakan natin sa ngaun. MARAMING SALAMAT...
masyado pong nabagbag ang puso ko ng mapanood ko ito,masyado akong napaluha..alam ko marami rin akong magagawa para makatulong sa mahirap,mahirap na p...galingan ko rin.Naalala ko tuloy ang mga nakaran kung buhay.Ngayon laki ng pasasalamat ko sa Maykapal dahil sa rami nyang biyaya sa akin,na naipamamahagi ko narin.I trust God..kaya dami po nyang biyaya sa akin at sa lahat..
In God's hand
Often we are tormented by thoughts
of what the future might hold.
But..."Each day has enough
trouble of its own"(Mt 6:34).
Tomorrow is another day,
and we shall then
face tomorrow's troubles.
We need not worry;
everything is in God's hands.
He will allow only his will
to be accomplished,
and this is always for our good.
PREMYADONG OBRA!SALUDO AKO SA PINTORn buy this LAST SUPPER,im so proud to hang it to my dinning room if ever.(i know it cost a lot of money,ha,ha,ha)thanks for sharing this documentary,it touches every ones hearts,and im so concerned to this shy little girl who holds her dolls and cannot speak?is she a victim of ?(child abuse,incest or any violence)Im a concern because I used to worked as "NANNY or CHILDMINDER" abroad so as i saw her attitudes there is something behind her deafness.I will pray for this little innocent child....thanks and more power to all the Staff of this documentary...
great documentary!!! i hope mas marami pa-makapanoon nang video na ito. . . to touch someones life and lighten everybody's eyes . . . more power and good health to our kababayan MR. Joey Velasco and to ProudlyPinoy for sharing and uploading w/ us this great video... God bless to everyone.
SIR MABUHAY KA KEEP IT THE WORK............GOD BLESS HOW I WISH WHEN I COME BACK TO OUR COUNTRY MAKATULUNG KAHIT KONTI SA MGA MAHIHIRAP NA TULAD NILA;;;;