BENJ There, Done That!: “Obra Maria”: A Medium of our Mother's Undying Love

Before the concept of the “Obra Maria” Art Contest and Exhibit was thought of, it was planned as a Belen-making contest displayed concurrent with the Novena masses for the feast of Immaculate Conception. Issues were raised, including the fact that it’s not yet Christmas season liturgically, and so the 2018 Fiesta Programs Committee, headed by Thoto and Lucy League, agreed to conduct an assemblage art contest and exhibit that, as originally planned, is displayed for nine nights for the parishioners and mass-goers to witness after the masses.

An assemblage art is a form of three-dimensional visual art whose compositions are formed from everyday items, usually called "found objects", either recyclable materials like bottle caps, cardboard box, dried leaves and stems, indigenous materials like tissue papers and spoons, or anything creative enough to be part of a masterpiece like egg shells and used stockings. Many parishioners have appreciated the contest, and now Obra Maria is one of the most anticipated activities for the next Fiesta celebrations.

Obra Maria Youth Ushers

The contest became open for all BECs within the pastoral care of the parish, and four of the eight BECs joined namely BEC Immaculate Conception, BEC San Martin De Porres, BEC Kaunlaran and BEC Bagong Lipunan ng Crame. It is 50% Judges score, 50% audience votes, and that is why these Obra Marias were displayed during the novena masses, for mass-goers to cast their donations as the audience votes. The higher the audience votes are, the bigger the percentage added to their total scores. There is also the “Online Parishioners Choice Awards” online voting, wherein the photographs of the Obras were posted and the one who gets the most likes, heart reactions and shares win.

BEC Bagong Lipunan ng Crame's "A Mother's Undying Love"

BEC Immaculate Conception's "De Regina's Garden"

BEC San Martin De Porres's "Ina ng Pananampalataya"

BEC Kaunlaran's "Ina"

The unveiling night for the exhibit happened after the first novena mass, November 29, 2017, and our rector, Fr. Aris, led the ceremony by blessing the Obras.

Many people have supported during the exhibit, and a lot were touched by the art works, some were brought to tears by its messages, others praised the idea of a Marian exhibit for it has promoted the devotion to our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. For nine nights, our BECs have faced many challenges and struggles but everything were overcame by the love and devotion to our dearest mother.

The Finals nights came, the judging and the canvassing happened. “I was really touched by the explanations of the artists to their Obra, it was so deep. It made me question my spirituality (laughs). Sana next year maulit ito [exhibit]. This is their way of showing their love for Mama Mary”, said Sr. Icah, one of the judges. The online votes were casted and tallied hours before the contest’s awarding night, during the Parish Fiesta night as well.