Fifth Commencement Exercises, April 18, 2009
Today’s entry is my own way of paying tribute to one great “heartist.”
I did not have the chance to meet Mr. Joselito “Joey” Velasco while preparing for the Fifth Commencement Exercises of Kalayaan College way back in April 2009. Sir Joey was chosen to be the Commencement Speaker for the said graduation ceremony. I recall that I would text him from time to time to confer with him details about himself and his works and also to remind him of his commencement address/speech.
I finally met him on the day of the graduation itself. I was struck by his humility and sincerity. I was touched by the simple delivery yet profound message of his speech. He inspired the graduates and the rest of the audience with “Looking beyond.”
Looking beyond the physical because there is inner beauty; looking beyond the adversities because there are blessings, and looking beyond wealth because there is legacy. He also made us reflect the sources of our light and if we also serve as light to others. His speech was so inspirational because it also focused on the very essence of humanity: HOPE. He saw HOPE at the eager and happy faces of the graduates that day.
Delivering the Commencement Address with his Hapag ng Pag-asa
He brought with him his “obra” (or masterpiece) “Hapag ng Pag-Asa” which depicts a picture of the Last Supper with Jesus and hungry street children as his disciples. He also shared that it was the first time for him to wear a toga because he was unable to join the graduation march because of an injury in college. I remember that he was so happy that day, as if he was part of the graduating batch.
I consider myself lucky to have met this wonderful person. I am grateful that we had the opportunity to listen to his message.
Goodbye, Sir Joey. Thank you for sharing your light and for being a light to us.
Who was Joey Velasco?
Joselito “Joey” Salvador A. Velasco was a Filipino visual artist known for his pieces that focus on religious themes in realistic settings. One of his most notable pieces, “Hapag ng Pag-asa” (Table of Hope), is a painting of the Last Supper depicting Jesus Christ sharing his last meal with hungry street children.
Dubbed as a “socio-spiritual realist,” Joey Velasco drew inspiration from the many instances of social injustice that he observed and produced pieces that give hope and uplift the spirit. Some of his colleagues have remarked that his works appear so real that if a blade were to cut the canvas, it would bleed.
Mr. Velasco was also an entrepreneur, author and filmmaker. He wrote They Have Jesus, a book containing the stories of the children of Hapag, whom he found living in cemeteries, under the bridges of Metro Manila and in the depressed areas of Payatas. He single-handedly produced three independent films, “Sa Kambas ng Lipunan” (2006), “Ang Lumang Paintbrush” (2007) and “Kakaibang Kulay” (2008). (From Kalayaan, Official Newsletter of Kalayaan College)
He joined our Creator on July 20, 2010.
JOURNEYS AND DESTINATIONS. 