BACOLOD: Angry Christ Church
Inside the Victorias Milling Company (VMC) compound in Victorias, Negros Occidental, there is a Catholic church unlike any other church in the Philippines, if not in the whole world. Known to negrenses as the St. Joseph the Worker Parish Church.
Sugar baron Miguel Ossorio owner of Victorias Milling Co. (the largest sugar refinery in Asia) built the chapel at the end of World War II to serve the spiritual needs of its employees and their families who are living inside the sugar refinery compound.
His son, Alfonso, painted Christ’s image because he wanted something different. He used commercial paints, which surprisingly lasted, the colors were very much alive until now, despite some natural fading. Strong shades of red, blue, yellow and green extend all the way to the ceiling. It took Alfonso Osorio two years, 1948-1950 to complete this murals.
The VMC chapel became internationally renowned through a Life Magazine article which dubbed it as the "Church of the Angry Christ" because of the mural’s sharp lines and Christ’s depiction as a frowning God.
Alfonso Ossorio depicted Jesus Christ (God the Son) with hands laterally-outstretched, being received by God the Father, represented by two giant, red-orange hands.
A descending dove (the Holy Spirit) with multi-colored wings hangs above On the right side you could see the image of Saint Joseph with the Blessed Virgin Mary ( done by local artist Benjamin Valenciano) while at the left side is the image of Saint John the Baptist with Moses.
Fire details in the mural, indicate God’s passionate love.
The Salesian priests of St. John Bosco oversee the parish while at the same time administer the Don Bosco Technical Institute located inside the VMC compound.
The chapel is open to those who wish to visit.
To get there from Bacolod City, take a jeepney or bus that can bring you to the Victorias Milling Company. Upon reaching the gate, a tricycle can take you straight to the chapel.
I do not know how much it would cost you, since we hired a jeepney to take us there for P 1,000. We had a side trips to Balay Negrense,Silay and the Church of San Diego De Alcala. Since we are ten (10) in the group our share is P100.00 each not bad eh!
30 comments:
great pic! keep on posting beautiful photostories.
i think i need to ask you some tips when i will travel to places you've been to..more power, cha!
Thank you so much Ate Jing for the appreciation! I am more than willing to assist you anytime.
what a great mural ,the colors are very sharp and one of the best painting i ever seen.I don't look at it as Christ ,the painting is more of a work of art for me that should be appreciated by people.
oh yeah, seemed like it's not for real. This is strange.
quite different interpretation from the usual loving face of Christ, nevertheless it was a great work of art!
We're planning to visit Negros Occidental soon! I hope to see this myself. :D
Not bad for a son of a sugar baron! Good post!
Who made that mural? I was taken aback. Ganda promise
John Patrick Benliro I think you ought to read my post. It was in BOLD, BIG LETTERS who made the MURAL. Thank you!
Thanks for the wonderful comment Miss Tess.
Ed, I think that is what makes Alfonso's work unique. The Angry Christ can only be found in the Philippines.
Yuuki I agree with you!
Sionee make sure you don't miss this great work of art!
Thank you Joy! Yeah Alfonso is good.
This is something different with Christ being depicted as angry...contrary to what we know of HIM - loving, compassionate.
He looks serious but doesn't look angry too me
I used to worked at Azucarera de la Carlota. ,my colleagues used to be assigned at victoria's milling since all these sugar manufacturing companies have an organization something like sharing notes.. Hehe but I never had the chance to visit Victoria's milling,.l I love the church it is so pretty! ;)
This looks interesting. I want to see this for myself. He doesn't look that angry to me though.:)
Really looks different. Would love to visit this one in future. Tnx for sharing!
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I llike it. At least it stands out in your mind diba?
Is this colt? Parang naalala ko isa itong kulto.
I would love to visit this church. This will really uplift my soul because of its beautiful mural. Very creative, very powerful and super duper overwhelming. :)
I've been to Victorias several times, but I didn't have the chance to see this Angry Christ mural in their chapel. Anyway, the mural for Alfonso Ossorio depicts how should Christ be in dealing with those sinners, liars, murderers, and all sorts of iniquities. I don't know if this mural is being maintained there for I've not been to Victorias lately.
this is interesting, something different and worth visiting! thanks!:) P.S. great photo!
That's pretty much different from the painting/images of Christ that we usually see. The look may have wanted us to sheer away from earthy things and be closer to God again.
very attractive shoot... though im not a fan of religious symbols.
First time to actually read about this. Sayang di namin navisit when we were in the region two years ago. Good deal na yung jeepney ride!
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