Bacolod pays tribute to pope with 35-meter tall mural

CEBU, Philippines – Even if Bacolod City is not in the itinerary of Pope Francis when he visits the country this week, local artists and students here paid tribute to him by putting up a 35-meter high mural.

Brother Jaazeal "Tagoy" Jakosalem, property administrator of the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos in Bacolod, said the mural painting is a collective initiative of the Dibuhista nga Naghiliugyon sa Negros artists as their tribute to the Pope of the People.

It took three days for the artists and students to finish the mural at the perimeter fence of UNO-R at Lizares Extension in the city. They used acrylic paint on the mural, showing the pope with the youth, taking a selfie and driving a pedicab.

"We involved the participation of the students and young people to help us create the beautiful mural," Jakosalem said, adding that the pope's messages on social, moral, political and spiritual issues reverberate in the hearts of the poor people, the youth and ordinary people in Negros.