The UST Museum mounted its exhibit titled “ORASYON: Dasal ng Pamilyang Pilipino” on October 3, 2023, at the Main Gallery.
The exhibit explores and celebrates the Angelus (Orasyon), from its earliest records in 13th century Italy, how the practice of praying the Angelus spread across the Philippine archipelago, and how Filipino families express their devotion.
It features 48 pieces from the personal collection of Mr. Ron L. David from the following artists: Hermes Alegre, Wilfredo Alicdan, Antonio Angelito, Marcel Antonio, Tam Austria, Aries Bagtas, Jessa Balag, Otep Bañez, Norma Belleza, Jeho Bitancor, Remedios Boquiren, Angel Cacnio, Demetrio Dela Cruz, Jomar Delluba, Robert Deniega, James Gabito, Caloy Gabuco, Emmanuel Garibay, Romeo Gutierrez, Jun Impas, Raul Isidro, Alvaro Jimenez, Edwin Ladrillo, Lorebert Maralita, Anita Magsaysay-Ho, Nik Masangcay, Almer Moneda, Francis Nacion, Roel Obemio, Jay Pacena, Anthony Palo, Aljo Pingol, Loreto Racuya, Irvin Roxas, Ivan Roxas, Dominic Rubio, Blaine San Luis, Roger San Miguel, Robert Shook, Abril Valdemoro, Lydia Velasco, Michael Villagante, and Migs Villanueva. Also featured in the exhibit are paintings from Carlos “Botong” Francisco and Jose De Los Reyes—both artworks are from the UST Museum’s Visual Arts Collection.
The Angelus is a Marian devotional prayer that commemorates the moment the Archangel Gabriel announced that the Virgin Mary would conceive and birth the Son of God. The practice is typically observed at dawn, noon, and dusk, so the works often depict the hues of twilight and the warmth of the sunset glow.
As the exhibit focuses on family prayer and coincides with the month of the Holy Rosary, the space includes an oratorio, or prayer room, with an altar that includes figures of the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus.
Decades ago, when the noise of the city was not so prevalent, the Orasyon was signaled by the ringing of Church bells, whose sound carried throughout the area. Fittingly, the exhibit opens with a bell.
The exhibition, designed and curated by Rev. Fr. Isidro Abaño, O.P., and Ar. John Carlo Sayco, ran from October 3 to November 7, 2023. In celebration of Museum and Galleries Month, the UST Museum offered free admission to non-Thomasians until November 7.
