Sagay dedicates mural to dementia-stricken living art pillar

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – Sagay City unveiled a sprawling mural for Nunelucio “Nune” Alvarado, a dementia-stricken painter whose portraits of farm workers, hardship and resistance helped define the visual conscience of Negros for more than four decades.

The 30-meter mural, painted on the wall of a private cemetery in Barangay Old Sagay where the 76-year-old artist was born, is a public remembrance of a living man whose art chronicled the lives of those history often leaves unnamed. The mural now also serves as a new cultural landmark in Sagay.

It features some of Alvarado’s meaningful artworks like the “Nawong” (face) series, which includes:

• “Kaupdanan sa Kampo” (farm mates)
• “Lain Buot” (ill-feeling)
• “Kaubay” (partner)
• “Siga Mata” (shining eye)
• “Hudhud” (fishing in shallow water using a hudhud net)

Designed around the concept of “Diin Tabo Man” (point of convergence), the mural reflects the meeting of life from land and sea and captures themes of identity, struggle, and community that defined Alvarado’s art.

Leading the pack that translated Alvarado’s body of work into a large-scale public piece accessible to the community were artists such as his brother Tom, Burog Alvarado, Gerome Booc and Ryan Pesa.

Helen Arguelles-Cutillar, the city’s information and tourism officer, said the mural is the Sagaynons’ way of thanking Alvarado, also known as “Maestro Nune,” for his contributions as a “pillar of art” in Sagay and Negros.

Cutillar said the plan and concept of creating a mural for Alvarado really came from his family.

When it was presented to the city government, Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva didn’t hesitate to make it happen, with the unveiling timed for Alvarado’s 76th birthday on May 5.

Cueva said the mural reinforces Sagay’s cultural identity while serving as a source of inspiration, especially for the youth.

“When we speak of Sagay, his name (Alvarado) always comes up. He is someone we are proud of not only because he is known, but because of the conviction he expressed through his art,” Cueva said.

“Having a landmark like this makes a difference. It shows our young people that an artist from Sagay can make an impact, and it reminds us to value the work of our artists,” the mayor added.

Alvarado is among the foremost socio-realist artists that Sagay and Negros Island have produced.

Most of his artworks depict the daily struggles of the poor, serving as harsh commentaries on social and political injustices.

At the heart of his artworks are the sad and challenging plights of sugarcane workers in Negros.

He narrated farm workers’ stories of working under hacienderos on canvas through an emblematic style.

His “Paghimud-os” (sacrifice) series and “Sakada” (seasonal farm workers) touched lives, earning him not just praise, but respect as well from various communities and fellow artists.

With his unique masterpieces, Alvarado was cited as one of the Black Artists of Asia and received the Thirteen Artists Award in 1992, conferred by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

Alvarado was also a two-time recipient of the Philip Morris Art Award in 1997 and 1999.

In 2004, he was bestowed the Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan sa Larangan ng Pintura, a lifetime achievement award from the CCP, recognizing his impact on Philippine painting.

Abroad, Alvarado’s artworks also traveled to different countries for various exhibitions.

In June 2024, Sagay nominated Alvarado to be elevated to the Order of National Artist.

He was the first nominee for the visual arts category from the Visayas.

But both the CCP and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) have yet to announce the official 2025 Order of National Artists (Order ng mga Pambansang Alagad ng Sining) awardees.

But for another Negros-acclaimed visual artist, Charlie Co of Orange Project, a premier contemporary art hub and artist-run initiative in Bacolod, Alvarado’s artworks continue to tell stories and create lasting influence that outlives generations and inspires artists and communities beyond Sagay.

Cueva said the mural not only honors the legacy of Alvarado, but also strengthens Sagay’s position as a center for culture and creative expression, linking heritage with tourism and community development.

Sagay Councilor Benson Fernandez said the city government is moving to declare May 5 as “Nunelucio Alvarado Day” in Barangay Old Sagay. – Rappler.com