Brother Tope Villanueva: Franciscan Friar's artistic journey of hope and healing

"Thank God, my paintings got people's attention and sold," Brother Tope Villanueva

A Franciscan Friar's Artistic Journey During the Pandemic

Brother Tope Villanueva, a Franciscan friar with a talent for storytelling through painting, began participating in online art exhibits during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The pandemic restrictions hampered the Franciscans' regular outdoor apostolates, prompting Villanueva to channel his creative energy into painting in 2021, a time when the world faced profound uncertainty.

"I spent my time painting," shared Villanueva, who is currently in Thailand, during an online interview. "I joined whenever there was a call from Art Show Philippines for submissions."

Art Show Philippines, a society of Filipino artists, provides an online platform to exhibit works by Filipino talents.

"Thank God, my paintings got people's attention and sold," Villanueva expressed with gratitude.

After contracting Covid-19, Villanueva used his art as an outlet to cope with the illness. "My art served as my outlet," he recounted. "I poured all my emotions into my entries. Perhaps some people related to the emotions I conveyed in my pieces."

With physical art exhibits banned during the pandemic, online shows became more prominent. Villanueva not only sold his works through these virtual exhibits but also accepted commissions.

Patrons purchased his paintings online, and couriers delivered the artworks to their new owners.

"Only pieces sold in physical and online shows are counted towards being a top-seller," Villanueva noted. "Art Show Philippines pioneered the online art exhibit."

As part of his ministry, Villanueva remits the proceeds from his artwork to his Franciscan community.

Through art, he aims to "touch lives and encourage people to keep living and hoping for a better life despite the challenges they face."

Art for Healing and Hope

In January 2022, the Franciscan friars in Mindanao, one of the three major islands in the Philippines, organized an online art exhibit in collaboration with Art Show Philippines.

The event aimed to raise funds for the survivors in Surigao affected by Typhoon Odette, which struck the country just days before Christmas 2021.

Typhoon Odette, internationally known as Typhoon Rai, was one of the most destructive typhoons in recent Philippine history in terms of losses.

In April of the same year, the Franciscan Province of St. Anthony of Padua Southern Philippines held a physical art exhibit in Davao to raise funds for constructing a home for aging friars.

In the following years, Brother Tope Villanueva participated in art shows for various causes. In 2003, he embarked on a new mission in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, near the borders of Cambodia and Laos. "As of now, we are still learning the Thai language," he shared.

Before joining art exhibits, Villanueva used his artistic talent to help war and typhoon survivors cope with traumatic experiences.

He conducted art workshops for children who survived wars in Basilan and Marawi.

Basilan is an island province in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, while Marawi is an Islamic city in southern Philippines.

He also held art workshops in communities affected by Typhoon Yolanda, internationally known as Typhoon Haiyan, a super typhoon that hit the Philippines in November 2013, killing more than 6,000 people.

Additionally, he conducted art workshops for Lumad children in Cotabato who survived an earthquake in 2019.

Villanueva expressed his commitment to using his talent to "evangelize and bring people closer to the faith."

He aims to continue "touching lives and encouraging people to keep living and hoping for a better life despite the challenges they face."

Recently, Art Show Philippines recognized Villanueva as the 9th best-selling artist for 2023-2024. In a social media post, he thanked art patrons for their support and appreciation of his work.

"Our heartfelt gratitude goes to our collectors for valuing and celebrating our God-given talents and creations," Villanueva posted. "We also extend our deepest gratitude to Art Show Philippines, especially to our visionary founder and mentor, Frederick Epistola."