Stolen ‘Amorsolo’ back at Negros museum

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Nine months after it was recovered by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), a stolen painting of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo has been returned to a museum in Silay City, Negros Occidental.

The 1936 painting titled “Mango Harvesters” was stolen by two guests during a tour at the Hofileña Museum located on Cinco de Noviembre street on July 3, 2024.

The artwork was recovered by NBI agents on July 12 of the same year from two people who attempted to sell the painting for P3.5 million in Quezon City.

Authorities estimated the market value of the painting from P8 million to P12 million.

On Friday, the artwork was returned to its original spot at the museum in the presence of members of the Hofileña family.

Gov. Jose Eugenio Lacson hailed the return of the painting.

“We celebrate the return of a story, a memory and a piece of cultural heritage that was once taken from us,” Lacson said.

In 1962, local art curator Ramon Hofileña converted the family ancestral home into a museum, which became a repository of artworks that he had collected.

Aside from the “Mango Harvesters” the museum features works of Filipino artists such as Juan Luna, Jose Joya, Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, Vicente Manansala, Ang Kiukok, H.R. Ocampo and BenCab.

The museum also keeps a sketch made by Jose Rizal when he was a student. The sketch was given to Hofileña by Bobby Ongpin.