A painting by national artist Fernando Amorsolo that cost millions of pesos has been stolen from the Hofileña Museum at Cinco de Noviembre Street in Silay City, Negros Occidental.
Solomon Locsin, Negros Occidental Historical Council chairman, on Friday issued an appeal for help in the recovery of “this important piece of Philippine art”.
Paintings by national artists are important cultural properties that are protected by law under Republic Act 1000066, an act providing for the protection and conservation of the national cultural heritage, Locsin told DIGICAST NEGROS.
The missing painting called “Mango Harvesters” owned by the Hofileña family cost millions of pesos, he said.
The about 12 by 18 inches painting was one of the early works of Amorsolo painted in 1936, which makes it more valuable, Locsin said.
Those who may have any information on the missing painting are urged to call the Silay police at 09985987443 or 09989674432, he said.
Silay Tourism Officer Gerle Sulmaca said that the painting that was located on the second floor of the museum is believed to have been stolen by one of the museum visitors on Wednesday, July 3.
She said Rene “Boy” Hofileña, who manages the museum, informed her that there was only one tour guide at the museum at the time.
The guide said he took one group on a tour of the museum and when it was over they lingered on the second floor where the paintings are located, Sulmaca added.
The guide left the first batch of tourists on the second floor as a new group had arrived for another tour.
Large bags of visitors to the museum are usually stored in a room while the tour is underway but on Wednesday this was not done as the museum was undermanned, she said.
They also did not have anyone manning the front door when the first batch of tourists left, one of whom had a bag big enough for the missing painting, Sulmaca said
When the painting was discovered missing the first batch of tourists had already left, she added.
She said the museum has a list of its guests that has been submitted to the police.
The Hofileña Museum is a repository of art finds collected by its late owner-curator Ramon Hofileña and his family. The second floor features paintings and sketches by national artists Juan Luna, Felix Resurrecion Hidalgo, Fernando Amorsolo, Ang Kiukok, Vicente Manansala, H.R. Ocampo, and BenCab.
There is also a sketch made by the young Jose Rizal.*