Tag Archives: Philippines

Arts, Politics, Religion

IS THE CONTROVERSIAL POPE FRANCIS PAINTING ACTUALLY A SATIRICAL ARTWORK? NETIZEN WEIGHS IN

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Screen capture of the painting from Marian Rivera's Facebook page
Screen capture of the painting from Marian Rivera’s Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Yesterday, The Adobo Chronicles published a story about a controversial oil painting by Filipino artist Dante Hipolito. The portrait, ‘Salubong,’ depicts Pope Francis being welcomed by farmers and laborers. Those featured in the painting were actually rich and famous movie stars and politicians.

Many Filipinos reacted passionately to the painting. One such reaction came from netizen Nathan Briones (via the Rappler web site). He thinks the artist intended the painting to be a satirical artwork. You decide.

‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.’

Blessed are the rich and famous, for theirs is an oil painting with Pope Francis.

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Arts, Film and TV, Human Interest

POPE FRANCIS POLITELY REFUSES TO ACCEPT GIFT PAINTING WITH FILIPINO CELEBRITIES

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Screen capture of the painting from Marian Rivera's Facebook page
Screen capture of the painting from Marian Rivera’s Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – An oil painting depicting Pope Francis  awaits the pontiff when he arrives in the Philippines this week. It is a gift from Filipino artist Dante Hipolito who was commissioned by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines to do the  artwork as a way to welcome the visiting head of the Roman Catholic Church.

Titled ‘Salubong’ (to greet or meet), it shows the Pope in the midst of Filipino farm workers and laborers after a day’s harvest in a rural agricultural field.

But there is a problem.

The ‘ordinary’ people featured in the painting are not ordinary people. They are celebrities from the movie and political world. They include movie stars Vilma Santos, newly-wed Marian Rivera and DingDong Dantes, Coco Martin, Gary Valenciano and presidential sister Kris Aquino. Also included in the painting is Senator Grace Poe.

In refusing to accept the gift, Pope Francis said that while he greatly appreciates the gesture, he would rather be painted or photographed with real ordinary people, like the victims and families of last year’s typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). “The main reason for my visit to the Philippines is to be in the midst of these unfortunate Filipinos,” said Francis who is scheduled to meet with the typhoon victims in Tacloban City, one of the hardest hit areas of the devastating typhoon.

So what’s going to happen with the prized painting?

The Adobo Chronicles learned that it will be displayed at the rotunda of the Batangas provincial capitol in Batangas City, south of the Philippines’ capital. Santos, who is prominently featured in the painting, happens to be the elected governor of Batangas province. She is one of many Filipino movie stars who have chosen to pursue a political career.

Business, International, Religion, The Media, Travel

POPE FRANCIS’ PHILIPPINES VISIT : VATICAN DEMANDS THAT PEPSI TAKE DOWN ADVERTISING OR PAY UP

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imageTHE VATICAN, Italy (The Adobo Chronicles) – Big corporations, small businesses and politicians usually pay big bucks to feature celebrities in their advertising campaigns, or to have famous people endorse their products or services.

The visit to the Philippines next week is no exception to the mad rush among companies to promote their products. In the last month or so, billboards, tarpaulin signs and posters have sprung all over Manila’s crowded streets, lining the paths that will be traversed by the Pope’s motorcade.

But there is one tarp sign that The Vatican is not happy about. It is a sign welcoming the Pope featuring Francis’ image alongside the commercial logo of Pepsi Cola. In addition, the sign also bears the name of a local public official, the chairman of a local Barangay (political district).

The Adobo Chronicles has learned that The Vatican has sent a letter to the Manila headquarters of Pepsi to pay One Million Pesos for every single one of these tarp signs. The money, according to a Vatican official, will be donated by Pope Francis to the victims of last year’s typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). The Pontiff is scheduled to visit Tacloban to spend time with the victims and their families.

In addition, citing the separation of church and state, asked Pepsi to remove the name of the local official from thhe advertising.

“If Pepsi refuses to pay up, we demand that all the signs be taken down immediately,” The Vatican said.