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Jimwel De Dios Pinlac, a sculptor-painter from Bacolor, Pampanga is one of the country's rising "imagineros" — artists who are dedicated to creating sacred images.  

BACOLOR, Pampanga — After barely 20 minutes of relentless striking and tearing through a hard piece of wood, Jimwel De Dios Pinlac already managed to carve a depiction of Jesus’ face.

It was a drop in a bucket next to over a hundred sacred images the 27-year-old sculptor-painter makes within a year.

His creations now adorn the grand altars of some of the country’s finest churches and those of private collectors, both local and abroad.

“Basta ang nasa isip ko lang, ‘yung goal ko sa ginagawa ko, maibigay kong trabaho sa customer na satisfied siya. Kahit ma-delay. Basta darating na maganda sa kanila. Basta maganda ‘yung bigay ko,” he said.

(In my mind, my goal is to make my customers satisfied. I don’t mind the delay. As long as the image will turn out good, then I’m satisfied.)

Jimwel began his mastery of chisels and paintbrushes with P50 for a day’s labor.

He took menial tasks in a woodcarving shop owned by his uncle, where his cousins also worked.

From carrying blocks of timbers to wood sanding, slowly he followed the footsteps of some of the men in his family — his father and grandfather included.

They were all “imagineros” — creators of sacred images depicting Christ and various saints.

“Tinitingnan ko lang mga tito ko, mga pinsan ko. Sila ‘yung mga mentor ko. Sa kanila ako nagtatanong kung paano gawin, kung ano ang kulang,” he said.

“Matagal din, halos four years sa pagliliha… Mahirap din kapag gano’n, minsan lalo na ‘pag bubuhatin ‘yung buong troso. Lalo ‘pag ikaw ‘yung bago ikaw lagi ang nauutusan.”

(I just watched my uncle and cousins. They were my mentors. I often sought their advice on how to do things, what’s lacking in my work. For four years, I oversaw sanding, refining the images. It was difficult especially if you carry the heavy timbers. If you’re new, you’ll get assigned random tasks.)

Jimwel De Dios Pinlac aims to always bring out the emotions in his creations and make it as life-like as possible while maintaining the air of sacredness.  

It was a realization of a promise he muttered to himself when he was a kid. Helping his grandmother clean up in their local church, he revered the images he saw and thought he would create one once he grew up.

“Noong bata pa ako kasi laking simbahan din ako. Kasama ko ang lola ko, naglilinis kami ng simbahan. Kada umaga ng Saturday, ganyan, kami naglilinis. Mga poon nililinis ko ‘yan buo pati mga upuan ng simbahan. Hanggang dun sa naisip ko na ‘balang araw , gagawa din ako ng ganyan,’” he said.

(When I was a kid, I was always in church. I was with my grandmother, and we would often clean in the church. Every Saturday, we went to church to clean up. I cleaned the images and the pews. Then I thought one day when I grew up, I’d also create my own sacred images.)

Distinct to Jimwel’s work is the way he often portrays his images.

Realism is his trade. Many of his creations resemble the imagery of popular religious iconographies in Spain with their emotionally gripping facial depictions in vivid details.

From the dramatic expression on the eyes to the crease and folds on the skin and the stretch of veins on his images, Jimwel would spare no detail to make it as life-like as possible.

“Makukuha mo ‘yung emotion ng sculpture sa mata tsaka sa bibig. ‘Yun talaga ang pinokus ko, ‘yung bibig tsaka ‘yung mata. Lalo na sa mata,” he said.

(You bring out the emotion of the sculpture through the eyes and the mouth. That’s why I always focus on the eyes and the mouth. Especially the eyes.)

GIVING LIFE TO IMAGES

Jimwel considers the image of “Dolor” — the depiction of a sorrowful Virgin Mary — special to his craft.

It was 2018 when a satisfied client posted on social media a photo of his creation.

The immaculate expression that showed the desolation and anguish of Mary captivated “camareros” (caretakers of sacred images) and even ordinary internet users. His inbox was instantly filled with queries.

“‘Yun ang way na parang nakilala ako,” he said.

“‘Yun ang pinakaunang gawa ko, ‘yun ang pinakaunang inukit ko... Daming nag-message sa akin noon, nagpagawa. Kaya, ‘yung mga pinag-aralan ko noon order na kaagad eh. Dun nagsimula,” he said.

(It became the way for me to be recognized. That was my first full work. I received many messages commissioning me for work. Those images that I was still studying at that time were purchased right away. That’s how it started.)

The image of "Dolor" became symbolic for Jimwel De Dios Pinlac as it became the key for more people to recognize his work as a sculptor-painter of sacred images. Photos courtesy of Jimwel De Dios Pinlac 

Jimwel’s process was simple. Once a client agreed to a commissioned work, he would ask for around five to 10 percent down payment.

The design can be up to the client or left entirely to Jimwel’s artistic interpretation. After which, a sketch of the planned religious image is presented. He plans to change this process soon and instead use a miniature clay figure that he can present to the client for approval.

Once the design is given the green light, the woodwork begins.

“Unang-una, dasal. Number one ‘yun eh. Tapos, focus. Dapat mahalin mo ‘yung ginagawa mo. ‘Yun talagang gustong-gusto mong gawin. Kasi kung di mo gusto ‘yung ginagawa mo, hindi ka mag-improve,” he said.

“Bilang iskultor, kasi, ‘di ba, artist. Bigyan mong oras ‘yung ginagawa mo."

(First is prayer. That’s number one for me. Then focus. You need to love what you’re doing, and you need to really want it. If you don’t like what you’re doing, you will not improve. As a sculptor, you’re an artist. So, you really need to give it time.)

Early in the day, usually at 6 a.m., Jimwel’s first task was to do the paintings. This ensures that his hands are not too fatigued to affect the finesse required working with paintbrushes.

Later in the day, it’s time to pick up the chisels and mallets.

Jimwel De Dios Pinlac, creator of sacred images, works in his shop in Bacolor Pampanga.  

“Ginagawa ko, gawin ko siya ngayon balikan ko ng next week. ‘Di pa rin tapos. Parang ano, iniiwanan ko para makita ko ‘yung mga mali,” he explained.

“Minsan ‘pag malapit nang matapos meron akong nakita na bagong idea na maganda tatapalan ko. Basta maganda ang nabibigay ko sa customer, okay na ‘yun.”

(After working on an image, I would set it aside and return to it a week after. I leave it out for a while so I can see my mistakes. Sometimes, just before completion, a new idea would come to mind, so I’ll do some revisions. I always make sure to do good for my customers.)

Carving the hands is difficult, he said. The delicateness of the stretch and fold of the fingers, the proportion, and every thread of vein pose a challenge for any carver.

The image will then have to go through several layers of paints — from the base to primer all the way to the oil paint that will give it a more life-like impression.

“Sa first coating papakita ko na sa kanya. ‘Pag sinabi ‘wow, ang ganda!’ ‘Hindi, first coating pa lang 'yan, meron pang final,’” he said, laughing.

“Ayun, satisfied na ako noon. Madalas ‘yun.”

(After first coating, I would show it to the client. If they say ‘wow, that looks good’ I often reply ‘no, that’s just the first coating, it’s not yet finalized.)

Prices of a commissioned work can range from P30,000 up to nearly P300,000 depending on the size and details of the image.

Jimwel De Dios Pinlac solely works on the heads of the sacred images in his shop, particularly the painting.  

SHAPING A FAMILY OF HIS OWN

Like many tales among Filipinos, Jimwel’s began in his bid to better his family.

At 17, he became a father to his firstborn — a daughter he named Thea.

There was a feast a year before and there he met his wife, Jenalyn.

She was beautiful, Jimwel said, and so he courted her. And thus began their life as a young family of three.

Four years later, they welcomed a son they named Thorren.

“Kung hindi rin siguro ako nagkaanak noon baka hindi pa ako marunong ngayon. Kasi naisip ko noon paano ko bubuhayin ang panganay ko. ‘Dun talaga ako (nagsumikap),” he said.

(If not for me becoming a father at that time, maybe until now I’m still not that good with my craft. I thought back then how would I be able to provide for my child. That’s why I tried my best to learn and do better.)

Jimwel was aware that raising a family needed more money. He was not able to finish his studies due to his family’s financial problems and becoming a teenage father.

Jimwel De Dios Pinlac together with his wife, Jenalyn, and two children, Thea and Thorren.  

He was starting to gain his footing with his painting skills, and he knew he needed to step up as sculptor and create full images of his own.

And so, he bid his uncle and cousins goodbye and decided it was time to build his own.

“Nangupahan lang kami noon dito sa Bacolor din,” he said.

“‘Yung shop ko tabi ng daan. Lona lang. Tapos ‘yung parang ano lang tapal-tapal ng mga plywood. Ganun lang. Ganun lang ako nag-umpisa.”

(I just rented a place here in Bacolor. My first workshop was on the side of the road. It was only built with tarpaulins and patches of plywood. That’s it. That’s how I started.)

Building his client base was not much of a problem. But having to work on the logistics from scratch on his own was a challenge for a startup like him.

When he transferred his workshop, the neighbors complained of the noises.

“Minsan kasi mga madaling araw na ako natatapos. Tapos maaga pa rin akong mag-uumpisa nun lalo na 'pag marami ang (order),” he explained.

(Sometimes I would finish past midnight. Then I would start again early in the morning especially if orders kept coming.)

Jimwel De Dios Pinlac's shop in Bacolor, Pampanga usually produces at least a hundred religious images in a year.  

Jimwel now owns a shop of his own on a piece of land he bought from years of hard work. It was a bit far from the neighbors, just beside an open grassland, so late-night noises from hammering through timbers were problems no more.

CARVING A PATH TO THE TOP

Jimwel admires Willy Layug, a fellow Pampangueño who rose to become the country’s finest “imaginero.” Layug was an apprentice of master Juan Flores or Apung Juan, who is credited for bringing the art of woodcarving to his “kabalens.”

Layug has been hailed as a premier ecclesiastical sculptor. This distinction earned him the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal — the highest award given by the pope to a laity.

Jimwel aspires not only to reach Layug’s achievements, but go beyond the man whom he credits as responsible for elevating the art of religious sculpture in the Philippines.

But Jimwel’s ultimate dream is to study in Spain and train under the masters of famed ecclesiastical arts.

“Sa Spain pangarap ko makapunta doon. Kasi meron akong kausap na ‘yung Spanish sculptor doon. Basta puntahan ko lang daw siya tuturuan niya ako,” he said.

“Kailangan ko talaga budget... May show money pa ‘yun. Tsaka, ano, pangsuporta sa pamilya din.”

(It’s my dream to go to Spain. I’ve spoken to a Spanish sculptor. He said he’s willing to teach me if I can go there. But I need the budget for it. There’s also the show money. And of course, I need money to support my family.)

Jimwel De Dios Pinlac's creations are distinctly emotive akin to the popular sacred images in Spain.  Photos courtesy of Jimwel De Dios Pinlac 

His wife shared that someone offered to sponsor him to study fine arts at the University of Sto. Tomas.

While Jenalyn supports her husband’s dream of studying, even the possibility of going to Spain, she admits it would be a challenge to their young family. Jimwel’s work as a sculptor-painter is their main source of livelihood and he will have to pause his job once they proceed with the plan.

“Sayang din po sana magkaka-degree siya. Medyo mahirap kasi may pamilya siya. Siyempre may gastos din po siya dun,” Jennalyn said.

“Kung ako po ‘yung magtatrabaho hindi ko naman kaya ‘yung kinikita niya. Pero kung may chance...”

(It would be good because he can earn a college degree. But it’s a bit difficult because he has a family. Of course, he needs to pay for other expenses. If I would work for us, I wouldn’t be able to earn the same amount as him. But if there’s a chance, we’ll take it.)

Once they can save enough money, the couple hopes to make this a reality.

After all, Jimwel’s intent to better his craft also stems from the understanding that his creations are more than just pieces of art.

A former altar server himself, he is aware that his art can be tools of a Catholic faithful’s Christian life.

“‘Pag nagkita ng mga nagsisimba ‘yung ginawa mo, marami ‘yun eh, di ba? Nagsisimba. Siyempre ‘yung feedback, nasa nakakakita... Kailangan maganda kasi nagdadasal," he said.

(Many churchgoers will be able to see my work so more people will give their feedback to my work. It must look good because it must inspire them to pray.)

To continue elevating his art, Jimwel De Dios Pinlac hopes to study in Spain one day. 

On Tiktok, where usually post videos of him doing the woodcarving and painting, he would also get a few comments accusing him of idolatry.

But Jimwel pays no attention to such messages. After all, he is aware he and his creations are but tools in the grand journey with the Divine.

“Kahit naman ako ‘di ko sinasamba ‘yung rebulto eh. Parang way mo lang ‘yan eh. Paalala na ‘yung dinadasalan mo,” he said.

“Akala nila kasi porke’t ‘yung kahoy ‘yun na ‘yung dadasalan mo eh. Hindi naman ganun, ‘di ba?”

(I don’t worship the sculpture. It was just a way, a reminder of who you are really praying to. Some thought you are actually praying to the wood. That’s not right, no?) -- With assistance from ABS-CBN interns: Meryl Macenas, Francine Mallete, and Kyle De Leon

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Jimwel De Dios Pinlac, a sculptor-painter from Bacolor, Pampanga is one of the country's rising \"imagineros\" — artists who are dedicated to creating sacred images.

Jimwel De Dios Pinlac, a sculptor-painter from Bacolor, Pampanga is one of the country's rising "imagineros" — artists who are dedicated to creating sacred images.  

Family and faith: A young sculptor’s journey through sacred art

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Family and faith: A young sculptor’s journey through sacred art

Erik Tenedero,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 27, 2024 07:30 PM PHT

|

Updated Mar 27, 2024 08:27 PM PHT

Read More:

Jimwel De Dios Pinlac

imahen

santo

camarero

sculptor

painter

sculptor-painter

imaginero

Bacolor

Pampanga

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