A portrait of hope by Fernando Amorsolo

Many of us are unaware that Fernando Amorsolo, the country’s first National Artist, left us a legacy of extraordinary significance: the portrait of Fausta Labrador, a saintly woman who was born on Dec. 19, 1858 in Tayabas, Tayabas. At age 26, she founded the Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, a charity school for poor children that has evolved into what is now Sacred Heart College in Lucena City.

It is a known fact that Amorsolo always insisted on painting live models, but when he accepted the commission in 1945, his subject, reverently called Hermana Fausta, had been dead for three years. She was 84. Amorsolo had to paint her portrait from a picture given to him by Melania Custodio, the first school principal and founding president of the Alumni Association. In 1950 Amorsolo finished the commissioned obra, an oil portrait on canvas. We can view it today at the office of the president, Sr. Fe Gedalanga, D.C.

Seated on a regal chair of massive wood, the silver-haired Hermana Fausta bears a pious mien. She is robed in deep blue-green garment, on the left side of which is pinned the medal Condecoracion Papal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice. The Catholic Church bestowed the award on her in 1936. 

Amorsolo presents Hermana Fausta’s virtuous persona in a new light. Kind and simple. Humble and noble — deserving of honor and emulation. Hence, he has exalted her to a venerable seat. 

Authenticated by NHI

The portrait has been authenticated by the experts of the National Historical Institute (NHI), who in November, visited Sacred Heart College and met with Dr. Josefina M. Parentela, vice-president for academics, research, Christian and Vincentian formation.

Emelita V. Almosara, NHI director, together with Larry C. Cruz, chief conservator and head of the Materials Conservation Center, and Alvin R. Alcid, identified the signature of Amorsolo and recognized the distinctive Amorsolo wooden frame. However, they also noted some cracks on the precious Amorsolo canvas. NHI is preparing its evaluation and recommendation on possible intervention concerning the portrait.  

Fausta’s Virtues

A whole litany of Hermana Fausta’s virtues is vividly revealed in The Life and Works of Hermana Fausta Labrador — Foundress of Sacred Heart College, a thesis written by Sr. Pilar Peñafort, D.C. Another enlightening biography is The Good Woman of Lucena, edited by Monina Allarey.

Hermana Fausta washed the wounds of the sick, held the hands of the dying, and comforted them until they breathed their last sigh. She sewed their burial clothes, faithfully praying for their blessed journey to the other side of the world.

She visited the prisoners and taught catechism to the old folk since most of them could not even make the sign of the Cross. She distributed thousands of cedulas of the Apostleship of Prayer mostly in the rural areas, until almost every resident of the town became a member of the sodality.

To anyone with discontent, she listened. Conflicting neighbors, unruly children, couples forgetting their duties to each other, the youth with their fears and aspirations; for all of them she offered calming words of wisdom.

Letter to Katipuneros

Indeed, she preached about reconciliation, harmony and peace. But this deeply pious woman, who embodied so much serenity, did not hesitate to make public her allegiance to the Philippine Revolution. Her handwritten, valiant letter to the Katipuneros in 1898 called upon the people of Tayabas province to support the revolution:

“Yayamang tayo’y maraming mga kapatid na humaharap sa digma, ay tulungan natin sila sa anomang kailangan ng masaganang paglingap, damayan natin sila sa kabuhayan, dalawin ang mga may sakit, at gayon din kung mamatay ay ariin nating isa sa minamahal nating kamag-anak, at kaawaan natin ang kanilang mga magulang upang mapagtiisan ang pagka-ulila sa kanyang anak sapagkat ito’y sa ipinag-uutos ng Santong Dasalan. Sa ganito naman ay ipakikilala natin sa kalahatan na tayo’y may tunay na Religion.

(“Since many of our brothers are now facing the war, let us offer them our abundant support, provide for their subsistence, visit the sick, and should anyone die, let us care for him like he were our kin; let us have mercy on his parents so that they may bear the loss of a beloved child, because it is according to God’s will. With these deeds, we shall prove that, indeed, our life is guided by a true Religion.)

In her highly poetic and prophetic Tagalog language she also wrote: “History attests that any kingdom which violates God is given its due punishment. Where there is oppression of the people — a defender is bound to rise. Much like Moses who defended Israel and delivered his people from the Pharaoh.”

Astonishing Spirituality

Everyone who remembers Hermana Fausta speaks of her astonishing and disciplined spiritual life. She woke up at three in the morning and prepared her day through intensive prayer. She walked to the church and opened its door for she was the keeper of its keys. She rang the church bells to awaken the townspeople who flocked to the early morning Mass where she served as sacristan.

True to her name, Labrador, her hands were constantly full of tasks. While uttering prayers, she crafted and distributed scapulars of the Sagrado Corazon de Jesus. She baked the altar bread or hostia. She embroidered the altar cloths and took care of the light of the Blessed Sacrament. All these she did in perfect order.

Lola Uta

She fed her doves that flew about the school freely. She harvested vegetables from her garden and cooked them for the poor children who loved her so dearly in return. They followed her, tugging at her long skirt or saya. In her small, austere room, she kept a box of one-centavo coins and a jar of candies. It delighted her to invite children to help themselves to these treats. Every day they came knocking at her door to get her blessing. They fondly called her Lola Uta.

 Lola Uta knew that in each child is a unique destiny, waiting to be made manifest. Yet many children could not afford education due to poverty. Hence, her dream was to see every child educated in the ideals of Christian life. 

Don Gregorio Merchan

On April 27, 1884 Hermana Fausta’s dream was first concretized when Don Gregorio Merchan, a wealthy resident of Lucena, offered his house to her. He was about to return to Spain. His house could be turned into a school. At first Hermana Fausta could not believe this. Fr. Mariano Granja of the Parocco de Lucena, advised her to accept the offer and pursue her cherished vision.

In 1912, the school began to teach English, following the new regulations of the American Regime. Enrollment grew while Hermana Fausta gained the support of generous donors; among them was Aurora Argagon Quezon, the wife of Manuel Luis Quezon, the first President of the Philippine Senate, and subsequently, President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. The province of Tayabas would later be named Quezon to honor the late President.

Daughters of Charity

On Aug. 14, 1937, Hermana Fausta turned over her school, now vigorous and well-established, to the Daughters of Charity (D.C.) of Saint Vincent de Paul. But why did she choose the D.C. nuns? Hermana Fausta at age 20, left Tayabas to study as a boarding student in Colegio de Sta. Rosa in Intramuros, Manila, which was under the Daughters of Charity.

With a growing population of 5,000 students, Sacred Heart today has the distinction of being the oldest Catholic learning institution for both women and men in Lucena City and the entire Southern Tagalog region. It has launched a series of countdown celebrations to mark its 125th founding anniversary in April 2008. A full-length film dubbed, Fausta, is now being produced. Perla Baustista plays the role of Hermana Fausta and Tommy Abuel plays Amorsolo. The screenplay was written by Necias Chaves Pataunia, a dramatist from Tayabas where Hermana Fausta was born. Fausta is directed by Felino Tañada, an indie filmmaker who wrote and directed Lukaret. He also produced and directed the film version of Hanggang Dito Na Lamang At Maraming Salamat, which was written for stage by Orlando R. Nadres.

Cilicio

Hermana Fausta did not join the convent although hers is a remarkable testament to purity and renunciation.   Hidden underneath her garment was a cilicio, a piece of barbed wire that dug into her flesh. Only when she was old and sick, and upon doctor’s advice, did she free herself from it.

Hermana Fausta’s capacity for great sacrifice molded the many roles she lived. A visionary initiator, who deliberately humbled herself to beg in the name of children. An indefatigable community organizer, a compassionate healer, a joyful gardener, a meek altar server, and a mystic church bell ringer. She was a sage and vigilant keeper of the keys to the sacred world.

A deeply-loved non-conformist, Fausta Labrador’s story rises today with epic relevance to our modern time. She is the woman whom the National Artist Amorsolo has immortalized in a portrait, not just for Filipinos but for our bigger world community that is now in deep need of an icon of hope.