Revin Doromal, a painting alumnus, won first place in the Santisimo Rosario Parish’s painting competition for its 80th anniversary.
Titled “Enduring the Storms of the Ages under Mary’s Mantle,” Doromal’s painting pictured Mary serving her role as a mother to Thomasians throughout the history of the University.
“I combined the image of UST’s Virgen del Santisímo Rosario with the image of the Virgin of Mercy, which is a popular Christian iconographic motif showing a group of people seeking refuge under Mary’s cloak,” he told the Varsitarian.
Doromal’s painting was inspired by the oldest Marian prayer, the “Sub Tuum Præsidium“ (We fly onto thy patronage), as a representation of Mary’s presence among Thomasians during trying times.
Among the Blessed Mother’s several titles is “Star of the Sea,” and in Doromal’s painting, Mary’s doce estrellas (12 stars) are spread out in the sky in the shape of the Marian monogram, signifying her role as a guiding star toward Christ.
Doromal also included characters such as a World War II prisoner, a Dominican friar, a medical frontliner accompanying a Lay Dominican as her patient, and a UST student.
“Altogether, the scene relates to the Thomasian family’s act of entrustment of their past, present, and future to Mary’s maternal care—something which an anticipating Thomasian can always depend upon,” he said.
The parish’s painting contest was held under theme “Birheng ng Santo Rosario De UST, Saksi sa Bawat Kasaysayan ng Pamantasan, Parokya, at mga Debotom,” to signify how the image of the Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of UST was figuratively a witness to the development and evolution of the parish and University.
The pieces of the 32 participants that joined the contest will be displayed in an exhibit at the Santisimo Parish Church’s hallway until Oct. 15.
