Merch and works of art of all shapes and sizes continue to come out everywhere since Pope Francis’s arrival in the Philippines.

We’ve seen a lot interesting tributes: shirts with his face, creepy dolls, stuffed toys, books. One of the art pieces that stood out, however, is a painting by artist Dante Hipolito.

Entitled “Salubong,” Hipolito’s work depicts the pontiff with a number of Filipino celebrities and politicians such as Kris Aquino, Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes,  Senator Grace Poe, and Governor Vilma Santos. It circulated in social media earlier this week, and instantly sparked widespread debate and conversation. A lot of different reactions and strong feels quickly multiplied online.

Here we ask 8 Pinoy artists what they think of it.

Apol Sta. Maria

“Nasaan si Manny? Siya ba ay natatakpan ng mga pakwan? Mukhang masarap yung mga pakwan na yun. Pero ang hindi ko maintindihan dito ay kung saan nanggagaling ang ilaw, bakit ang talim ng anino sa mga mukha nina Pope Francis at Gary? At ang kintab ng pakwan!

Crist Espiritu

“Inevitable”

Hermes Alegre

“God bless you, Dante.”

Iya Regalario

“Dante Hipolito’s “Salubong” is just too easy to shun. It’s got all the primary argumentative themes that anyone would be sensitive to-religion, politics, showbiz, and national identity-that point of conversation in drinking sessions that never really come down to a definite conclusion. “Agree to disagree”. The way I see it, the artist have had unintentionally (or intentionally) created a symbollic representation of how Philippine society will introduce itself to the Pope-showing the true colors of our issues on religion, politics, showbiz, and (most definitely) our vulnerability to mass media.

The painting is fan art, yet it is also a good satire to those who’d bother see more than meets the eye. The problem nowadays is that we are in the era of the “open letter”, anybody-everybody-has the power to address what they personally think is right and wrong. The way I see it, seeing the Pope alongside politicians and/or actors in a painting should generate the same reaction in seeing all those huge welcome billboards and advertisements c/o all those capitalist brands and epal politicians (why, aren’t they so thoughtful). Honestly, I think the news about our traffic enforcers needing to wear diapers to keep their posts is much more appaling.”[/buffer]

Issay Rodriguez

“Yung ibang Pilipino talaga hilig pagsama-samahin lahat ng kasya sa isang plato…tapos mahilig pa ilabas yung best spoon and fork pag may bisita. Ganun yung pakiramdam ko sa work niya. Hindi ko alam tunay na motibo ng artist, tingin ko lang hindi maganda ang combinasyon ng mga nasa plato nya. Medyo masakit siguro sa tiyan hahaha religion+politix+celebrities..I dun think so.”

Tof Zapanta

“May nakita akong interview sa TV na sabi nung artist, wala naman dapat pakialam yung ibang tao kasi mundo niya yung lahat ng nasa loob ng canvas, at pininta niya daw yun kasi religious yung asawa niya at mahilig sa artista, so end of conversation na yun for me, haha.”

Wiji Lacsamana

“Actually, nagawa na nung painter yung goal nya, which is mapansin yung painting nya. Successful na sya in that sense. Good vibes lang.”

Zeus Bascon

“Finull-view ko pa, tapos napaisip ako kung totoo ba talagang naproduce yun o joke lang. sa role ng celebrities na dinedepict sa painting, parang si Kris Aquino magagalit kasi maitim siya dun!haha at parang lumulutang si Pope. Basta ang gulo niya! Sayang yung pera.

Pumasok sa isip ko yung issue sa works ni Amorsolo. Yung pagtakip sa kung anong kapangitan ng estado ng bansa by including beautiful elements sa painting. Pero di din maihahantulad yung actual work sa works ni Amorsolo e. Anyway, bahala na, lagi naman komplikado ang sitwasyon ng artist. Para naman sa painting, naging pananda siya ng kung anong estado ng pagiisip ng karamihan sa oras na to dito sa Pilipinas.”

What do you think of the painting? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!