Oponganon painter recognized in IEC tilt

CEBU, Philippines – An inmate is clutching the rosary and a prayer book while his two fellow detainees are gambling at the prison cell's nook. Virgilio Ybañez, 44, painted such scene on a 30" x 40" masterpiece and was among the entries from the Visayas recognized during a recent painting contest for the International Eucharistic Congress in 2016.

He calls it "Balik sa Dios."

Though he was short of funds and time to finish the piece because of his other commitments, he nevertheless was happy that the work managed to get recognition.

"I'm happy because my painting was selected for the Merit Award out of many entries," Ybañez, a freelance artist from Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City, told The Freeman in Cebuano. "Just joining it is already such an honor."

More than 80 local artists all over the Philippines joined IEC's painting competition which centered with the theme "Christ in You, Our Hope of Glory."

Most colors that Ybañez applied in his painting were burnt sienna and burnt amber.

"Color brown na siya sa atoa, dominant ang duha ka color aron naa'y human touch (We call it "brown," a painting that has that two dominant shades, to create human touch)," Ybañez explained.

Ybañez finished his piece three days before the deadline. He worked in his living room which serves as his studio.

The Oponganon artist said he joined the competition because he wanted to further hone his skill.

"Dili gyud ni angay nga palabyon, makatabang sa akoa nga mahanas gyud ko og maayo, ug aron makahibaw ko kung asa ko kutob (I didn't want to pass up the opportunity. I knew it could help me hone my craft and find my limits)," he said.

Ybañez, a member of Cebu Art Association and Maji Artists of the Philippines, also does wall paintings in Barangay Pajo's day care center and covered court. He also makes mascots.

Ybañez spends most of his time painting. He said he would not stop doing so since this is his passion.

His "saddest" moment as a painter was when his paintings got burned while he was smoking.

"I was smoking beside my paintings and I went outside. When I got back, my paintings were already on fire," he shared, adding that the ashes from his cigarette might have landed on his paintings.

Pajo Barangay Captain Junard Chan helped Ybañez make painting his source of livelihood in the barangay. Both were high school classmates.

"Usa siya sa mga local artist, nga kinahanglan suportahan. Sa skills sa painting, mao gyud na ang source of income ni Virgilio. Mao na if naa mi mga kaila, siya gyud ang amoang kuahon para makatabang mi niya (He's one of the local artists that need support. His painting skills are his source of income. We usually refer him to our friends needing artist," Chan said.