A church fire in Pandacan

A year ago, on Friday, July 10, 2020, a massive fire burned to ashes the Santo Niño de Pandacan Parish church in Manila, taking with it the image of the Santo Niño believed to be around 400 years old.

On July 10, 2020, a massive fire reduced to ashes the Parish Church of the Santo Niño de Pandacan which was in a densely populated neighborhood in Manila. Lost in the fiery rubble was the historical image of the Santo Niño believed to be around 400 years old.

Seminarian Joey Jerome T. Era of the Diocese of Daet, at that time a first Year Theology Student of the Holy Trinity Seminary in Labo, Camarines Norte, offered a work of art as a gift to the aggrieved parishioners out of compassion for the tremendous loss of a sacred treasure long cherished by the community (see featured image),

The heartfelt donation by the young seminarian was featured in Boletin Eclesiastico de Filipinas (published by University of Santo Tomas, volume XCVI, page 680):

The artist painted and drew inspiration from the scene similar to the story of the icon of Mother of Perpetual Help, where the Child Jesus ran towards His Mother, trembling in fear for He saw the instrument of torture; the crucifix is portrayed in the shadows of the flames. the center of the artwork is the Child Jesus of Pandacan carrying the miraculous ciborium with the Sacred Host within it which survived the fire that ravaged the dwelling place of God. This painting made to be a symbol of hope for the loss of the Parish of Pandacan that even though we lost a historical treasure, the True Treasure is the presence of the Child Jesus as the Emanuel, God -is -with-us, the Eucharist.

Malikhaing CamNorteno

Seminarian Joey Jerome T. Era was featured on “Malikhaing CamNorteno,” a continuing series about outstanding art and culture personalities by the Museo Bulawan of Daet, Camarines Norte (FB page, November 8, 2023).

Museo Bulawan portrayed Joey Jerome as having had a remarkable artistic journey. Beginning in elementary school, he participated in art poster-making competitions. As he progressed into secondary school, his art coaches introduced him to painting using various mediums and encouraged him to explore different styles. Whereupon he competed as a representative of Camarines Norte in regional and national competitions. He developed a unique artistic style and won numerous first-place awards.

Upon entering the Seminary, Joey Jerome’s interest turned to ecclesiastical art. His sacred paintings became an integral part of his prayer expression. Notably, both his philosophy and theology theses which focused on the art and aesthetics as these relate to the Liturgy. earned him magna cum laude distinctions. His thesis was titled, “The Integrity of Sacred Arts and Furnishings of Parroquia De Nuestra Señora De Candelaria, Paracale, Camarines Norte, in the Light of Sacrosanctum Concilium.”

His artwork can be found in churches across Bicol and other sites of devotion in Manila, including the Ermita Church’s Shrine of the Blessed Mother. One of his notable paintings, located at the church of Santo Nino de Pandacan in Manila. His most cherished work is the 140th official replica of El Divino Rostro de Naga, used in Translacion and Fluvial events during Penafrancia festivities.

Church Dome in Paracale

Joey Jerome’s obra maestra is his largest artwork that depicts the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is painted on the dome right above the altar of the Nuestra Senora de Candelaria Parish Church of Paracale, Camarines Norte. The magnificence and immensity of this religious art evokes Michelangelo’s work in the Sistine Chapel ceiling in the Vatican.

He painted the dome at the start of the covid19 pandemic lockdown. At that time, he would attend his online classes at the seminary in the morning. Then, he worked on the ceiling in the evenings, sometimes through the early morning hours. It took him three months to complete the dome art.

Naturally talented in the arts, but not formally schooled in it, artistic expression has been Joey Jerome’s form of prayer. He was inspired by the American philosopher John Dewey’s theory about art as experience, which shifted the understanding of the art process from the material work of art to the development of an experience. In every bold brushstroke he makes, in every vivid color he chooses, his works of art prayerfully paint his religious experience as he journeys towards priesthood.

Gallery of Religious Art

Reported by Jojo De Jesus for Dateline Ibalon based on his written interview with the artist and on references provided: Artist’s FB post, July 10, 2021; Museo Bulawan’s FB page, November 8, 2023). Header image is the altar dome art at the Nuestra Senora de Candelaria Parish Church in Paracale, Camarines Norte.