In the streets of Jaro district near their plaza in Iloilo City, a painter has created an open gallery for people who are walking or driving by. The Ilonggo artist is selling his work along the side sells his works along a sidewalk because he is in need of funds for his wife’s twice-a-week dialysis for kidney treatment.
Larry Casinao, known by his neighbors as Lolo Larry, started showcasing his paintings on the sidewalk around June 23. Many people are curious when they walk by and often check his artwork. Passersby like college student Sal Molinos took photos of Lolo Larry and his outdoor gallery. The images of his works were taken and posted online in hopes that he gains more attention.
Molinos shared it mainly on Twitter where he shares that he was touched by Casinao’s noble cause but was saddened that one of their local artists not having a venue where he could sell his artworks properly.
It’s sad to see our local artist not having a proper venue to showcase their art. Lolo, as seen in the picture, is still painting his master piece at the sidewalk. I hope he gets the recognition he deserves because he put so much passion to his work.#SupportLocalArtist pic.twitter.com/npK8dMrHBI
— Sallyboyyy ? (@salmolinos) June 23, 2019
“I hope we could really help him by supporting his art because I had a small talk with him and he said that his wife is undergoing dialysis twice a week,” Molinos wrote on Facebook.
Through the power of social media, a well-known actress, Heart Evangelista (Love Marie Ongpauco-Escudero) noticed Molinos tweet. Her first message was asking help from her followers on where to find the visual artist. On June 25, she shared to her followers that “he deserves the world.”
He deserves the world ??✨ https://t.co/Rj49T7wwhx
— LoveMarie O. Escudero (@heart021485) June 25, 2019
I think it’s important we support local artists as we have many of them and they’re all amazingly talented and brave to share their work with the world. According to the Daily Guardian, you can help and reach out to Lolo Larry through his contact number: 09282379201.
Sending our prayers that he will be able to reach the needed amount to help his wife.
