Praise

23/09/2023

IN MEMORIAM

Jesus, O Poor Jesus,
You who have been beaten down
and taken from your cross,
by people now
whose love for humanity was lost;
who found you not in the poor faces
of the innocent and weak;
who tore away their liberty to speak;
who plunged the free into the pangs of their death,
by all sorts of pain that man could ever imagine;
Remind me, O Lord, the way to forgive,
the way you did us all who sinned against you,
but remind me the wisdom not to forget,
that it is our sin that beat and nailed you,
Teach us all, O Lord, compassion for the weak, to care
for those whose dead are tossed into oblivion;
for those whose agony are denied any signification;
for those whose justice was never seen by this nation.
Remind me, O Lord,
for what the Christian in me may have FORGIVEN,
the Filipino in me shall NEVER FORGET,
AMEN.

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Written by Gevans Aguatis Gueco
Artwork by yours truly

Inspired by Josh Velilla's "Christ the Victim"
original post: https://mobile.facebook.com/Velilla2/posts/10220427974275956?from_xma_click=xma_web_url&xma_click_id=48B00F0D-2B67-4405-B256-D3371F6639D1&wtsid=rdr_0w7XgWERYaipNgcKd&_rdc=1&_rdr )
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20/08/2023

trying something out hehe
still can't get enough of my fit last week at the Sistine Chapel Philippines Exhibit 🥹✨
Original Post: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=6354649287923651&id=100001359279662&mibextid=qC1gEa

22/06/2023

Say present kung nabasa mo na ang bagong document ng Vatican na 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 (A Pastoral Reflection on Engagement with Social Media). 🙋🙌

What are your takeaways? Tara, pag-usapan natin!

Join us on June 28, 2023 (2 - 4 PM) as the Team of the Dicastery of Communication introduce to us the document; and 5 Catholic social media missionaries (to be announced soon) lead us in geeking over the document's main points and reflect on how we currently engage on social media as Catholic creatives and communicators.

Happening on Zoom (and streamed on the LIKHATOLIKA Group).
Pre-register thru this link: bit.ly/presencekwentuhan
Pre-register thru this link: bit.ly/presencekwentuhan
Pre-register thru this link: bit.ly/presencekwentuhan

Kitakits, mga ka-Likha! You can read the document here: https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/dpc/documents/20230528_dpc-verso-piena-presenza_en.html

Say present kung nabasa mo na ang bagong document ng Vatican na 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 (A Pastoral Reflection on Engagement with Social Media). 🙋🙌

What are your takeaways? Tara, pag-usapan natin!

Join us on June 28, 2023 (2 - 4 PM) as 5 Catholic social media missionaries (to be announced soon) will lead us in geeking over the document's main points and reflect on how we currently engage on social media as Catholic creatives and communicators. A fellow from the 'Faith Communication in the Digital World' program of the Dicastry for Communication will introduce to us the overview of this very timely document.

Happening on Zoom (and streamed on the LIKHATOLIKA Group).
Pre-register thru this link: bit.ly/presencekwentuhan
Pre-register thru this link: bit.ly/presencekwentuhan
Pre-register thru this link: bit.ly/presencekwentuhan

Kitakits, mga ka-Likha! You can read the document here: https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/dpc/documents/20230528_dpc-verso-piena-presenza_en.html

18/06/2023

Happy Father's Day to all Fathers and Father-figures out there!🫶🏻✨

To all of you
who are fathers,
who desperately want to be a father,
who've already lost your fathers,
who miss your fathers,
who had no father figures growing up,
whose fathers never accepted you,
who wished you had other fathers,
who wished you still have your fathers,
who were left by their fathers
whose mothers had to fill the gap left by a father,
who were disowned by your very own fathers,
who had to be a father for yourselves,
who had to be a father for someone else just to have a sense of fulfillment for the negligence of your father,

Happy Fathers' Day!
This day is still for all of you.

🎨: Obra ni PaoPao
✒️: Paperboats (Between the Lines)

02/06/2023

Hello! Launching a new beginning with a self-portrait 🤓😅 Welcome to Obra ni PaoPao! This will be my avenue for more content made by yours truly 🫶🏻✨

You can also follow me on my Instagram at www.instagram.com/obra.ni.paopao/ 😇

Stay tuned!

Launching a new beginning with a self-portrait 🤓😅
Hello, I'm Paolo! Welcome to Obra ni PaoPao — a dump account for all content created by yours truly.

You can also follow me on my Instagram at www.instagram.com/obra.ni.paopao/ 😇

Stay tuned!

01/06/2023

Love is our mission. ❤️‍🔥

Lord Jesus, keep us always close to your loving heart.
Teach us how to love so that may we love one another more and more each day.
Amen.

Have a Blessed Month of the Sacred Heart! 🥰🤗😇

09/04/2023

01/01/2023

For New Beginnings

Dear God, Thank You for new beginnings. This is an incredible day, with a fresh year's potential stretched out before me. I want to be faithful this year in every opportunity You bring to me.
Thank You, Lord, for new beginnings.
I pray this in Jesus' name.
Amen.

#2023

31/12/2022

ART VS ARTIST 2022

Although I had lesser than usual posts this year, 2022 was the year of experimenting new techniques, medium, and art styles! I started doing my Disneyfied Saints in full bodies with more minimalist layouts, and I also try to be more reflective in doing my artworks. Overall, it was still a pretty good year and I really hope to be better in the coming new year.

Thank you so much, everyone! ✨
#2022

24/12/2022

Wishing everyone a Blessed and Merry Christmas! 😇✨
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24/12/2022

A NOT-SO MERRY CHRISTMAS
A Reflection on my Pre-Christmas Trip

This year's Christmas season was very different from the rest of our holidays in previous years.

Recently, I had a week-long trip to meet relatives from the south. It was a LONG land trip! It took us over a day to get there with not only hours on the road, but also ship and boat rides in between. There were plenty of inconviniences along the way such as bumpy roads, traffic, the struggle to find a restroom, and I even got sick due to the bad weather conditions. At some point, I found myself hating to come for this trip because instead of enjoying and relaxing, I got so stressful.

Amidst all of these, I kept myself quiet and focused on the experiences that I had and hopefully bring a lesson with me as we get back home. It was the visual of construction workers from where my dad was working that I got my realization. Imagine not going home for Christmas just because a certain project isn't done yet. I remembered St. Joseph who was a carpenter. His work may have not given him enough expenses to provide for the family, but still kept his word to take care of Mary and the Baby in her womb. The trip to Nazareth to Betlehem was not an ordinary trip. It was even said that their journey probably took about a week!

In the darkness of struggles, there is always that little light that we always tend to overlook - LOVE. I found myself seeing a parellism of my dad, his co-workers, and St. Joseph. They struggled in making ends meet, and in our case, struggled to get us back home. It goes to show that love isn't all happiness and fun; it requires huge amounts of struggle and sacrifice.

This year, I'd like to remind everyone that not everyone is experiencing a "Merry" Christmas, AND THAT'S PERFECTLY FINE. What matters is that we keep ourselves focused on all our loved ones have done for us. Thank the Lord for them. Appreciate them and make them feel appreciated, especially this Christmas.

And with that, I'd like wish you all a Meaningful and Blessed Christmas!🎄✨😇

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28/11/2022

16/11/2022

Look at these merch by Carissimae Dei! 🤩

Help spread the word about your faith with cool Catholic Merch. Whether you like it plain or with a bit of fun, these are exceptional gifts that all will appreciate. Our shop is filled with shirts, stickers, bags, and more to help spread the word about faith!

These new designs are now available in Shopee, Merchiful, and Red Bubble stores.

MERCHIFUL: https://www.merchiful.com/pages/klawisdesign

SHOPEE: https://shopee.ph/merchifulshop?shopCollection=156688637

Looking for a perfect gift this coming Christmas? We got you!

Help spread the word about your faith with cool Catholic Merch. Whether you like it plain or with a bit of fun, these are exceptional gifts that all will appreciate. Our shop is filled with shirts, stickers, bags, and more to help spread the word about faith!

These new designs are now available in our Shopee, Merchiful, and Red Bubble stores.

MERCHIFUL: https://www.merchiful.com/pages/klawisdesign

SHOPEE: https://shopee.ph/merchifulshop?shopCollection=156688637

13/11/2022

Celebrating Likhatolika Creative Community's 1st Year anniversary by hopping to this trend!

As most of you enjoy my , I'd like to share where this all began. I started creating these during the height of the pandemic, a moment where we have so much time on our hands and we always think about how we can be productive.

Now that we're back with busy roads, schedules, meet ups, etc., I can't help but think how it was also somewhat beautiful to have been stuck at home and yet inspire so many. Who knew that during a time of despair and uncertainty, we can still create and find hope?

With that being said, I'd like to encourage artists out there that if you have the time, START CREATING!

If you're worried of what others might think, you can always start small and work your way up. At the end of the day, when you've mastered your craft, nd as long as you dedicate everything to the Lord, you'll achieve the "Goodness" that you long for. ☺️😇✨

Happy 1st Year Anniversary mga ka-Likha!🤩✨

01/11/2022

November 2 | All Souls' Day

Not to be confused with All Saints' Day—a holy day of obligation honoring the lives and works of saints already in heaven—All Souls’ Day is dedicated to remembering all who have died, particularly, the souls in purgatory.

Prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory by St. Gertrude the Great

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family.
Amen.

Read more about All Souls' Day at: https://aleteia.org/2017/10/31/what-is-all-souls-day-and-how-is-it-celebrated-around-the-world/

01/11/2022

✨BLESSED BE GOD IN HIS ANGELS & HIS SAINTS!

Almighty ever-living God,
by whose gift we venerate in one celebration the merits of all the Saints, bestow on us, we pray, through the prayers of so many intercessors, an abundance of the reconciliation with you for which we earnestly long.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

All Saints in heaven,
PRAY FOR US!

NOVEMBER 1 | SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS
*Featuring (almost) all of my Disneyfied Saints 😇

29/09/2022

As I celebrate the second anniversary of this art page, I'd like to share these words of Hellen Keller that Brother .d.mint has shared me this morning.

Indeed the Lord works in mysterious ways – one of which is by using our guardian angels. I apologize for being inactive with my social media accounts as things are getting busier than ever! Regardless of this, I'll still continue to post content whenever I am able and inspired to.

Thank you for continuously expressing your love and support for my craft (especially to my co-admins of Likhatolika Creative Community 🤗) . Continue to pray for me and those who are in need of prayers. Remember to continue to even in the littlest way possible! 🥹🤗

29/09/2022

Today, on the Feast of the Holy Archangels St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Rafael, marks the second anniversary of Praise. With this, I present you a new take on my Disneyfied Archangels!😇✨
PS: I apologize for being inactive with my social media accounts as things are getting busier than ever! Regardless of this, I'll still continue to post content whenever I am able to.

Thank you for continuously expressing your love and support for my craft (especially to my co-admins of Likhatolika Creative Community 🤗) . Continue to pray for me and those who are in need of prayers. Remember to continue to even in the littlest way possible! 🥹🤗

“I wonder what becomes of lost opportunities? Perhaps our guardian angel gathers them up as we drop them, and will give them back to us in the beautiful sometime when we have grown wiser and learned how to use them rightly.”

― Helen Keller, The Story of My Life

12/06/2022

Today is 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬!

Trinity Sunday is celebrated a week after Pentecost Sunday. Trinity Sunday honors the central mystery of Christian faith and life – the Most Holy Trinity.

The human mind can never fully understand the mystery of the Trinity, but we can sum it up in the following formula:
ONE God with THREE PERSONS – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

02/06/2022

31/05/2022

𝗗𝗜 𝗟𝗔𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗚-𝗜𝗜𝗪𝗔𝗡 🙏❤️
"At ngayon, nandiyan ka na. 'Di mapaliwanag ang nadarama.
Handa ako sa walang-hanggan. 'Di paaasahin, 'di ka sasaktan"

29/05/2022

A BLESSED 56TH WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY!
🤩📸📱🖊🎨👩‍💻❤️‍🔥

For this year’s World Communications Day, Pope Francis highlights listening as a great tool of communication and a way to a better Church (READ POPE FRANCIS’ MESSAGE AT: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/communications/documents/20220124-messaggio-comunicazioni-sociali.html).

Listening is not just merely hearing words and ideas but also invites us to understand and welcome these words and ideas. Listen with the ears of the heart, as Pope Francis mentioned in his message.

The turn of worldly events has brought us to this digital age (full of hatred, fake news, and other malicious content) which calls for deeper listening and comprehension. As a Church, may we remain vigilant by continuing to live out our faith and applying the faith through our gifts.

Kudos and sending virtual hugs to every communicator (SOCCOM members, artists, podcasters, broadcasters, writers, and the like)! May we not only continue to communicate but also listen carefully and empathetically to God’s people.

PS: As we reached 12k followers on Facebook, and 1k followers on Instagram, I’d like to express my deepest gratitude for your love and support for my work! Stay tuned for more content coming your way!

29/05/2022

SOLEMNITY OF THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD

Dear Lord Jesus Christ,

Right before your Ascension into heaven you told your apostles to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth upon receiving the Holy Spirit. May I be similarly inspired to spread your Gospel message in word and deed, according to your will for me. And may I do so prudently and joyfully, with your help, your guidance, and your grace! And remembering this glorious event, help me to seek what is above, Heaven, where you are seated at the right hand of God the Father!
Amen.

29/05/2022

💐SANTACRUZAN 2022
a Collab Art Project of Praise and Carissimae Dei

Ending our last batch of Sagalas with some of the Marian Titles of Santacruzan!

The Month of May in the Philippines is a month of flowers and religious devotion as it is time for the catholic festival Flores de Mayo (Flowers of May). It includes daily flower offerings to the Virgin Mary, also perceived as a Queen of May, and results in colorful processions passing through the cities and towns.

Santacruzan, a pinnacle of the month-long festival, can be described as a sort of religio-historical beauty pageant. It is held to commemorate the discovery of the Holy Cross which, as believed, was made by Saint Helena and her son Constantine who became the first Christian Roman Emperor. Parades are meant to reenact both the search for the Holy Cross and the festivities that took place in Jerusalem after its discovery.

28/05/2022

💐SANTACRUZAN 2022
a Collab Art Project of Praise and Carissimae Dei

Following up our Online Santacruzan with some of the Biblical and Historical Titles!

The Month of May in the Philippines is a month of flowers and religious devotion as it is time for the catholic festival Flores de Mayo (Flowers of May). It includes daily flower offerings to the Virgin Mary, also perceived as a Queen of May, and results in colorful processions passing through the cities and towns.

Santacruzan, a pinnacle of the month-long festival, can be described as a sort of religio-historical beauty pageant. It is held to commemorate the discovery of the Holy Cross which, as believed, was made by Saint Helena and her son Constantine who became the first Christian Roman Emperor. Parades are meant to reenact both the search for the Holy Cross and the festivities that took place in Jerusalem after its discovery.

25/05/2022

💐SANTACRUZAN 2022
a Collab Art Project of Praise and Carissimae Dei

A Santacruzan is a religio-historical beauty pageant held in many cities, towns, and even in small communities throughout the Philippines during the month of May (Flores de Mayo). It is composed of "Sagala"s (maidens in costume).

One of the most colorful aspects of this festival, the pageant depicts the finding of the True Cross by Queen Helena, mother of Constantine the Great.

Many movie and television personalities participate in the events and are featured in major Santacruzan. This festival became part of Filipino traditions identified with youth, love, and romance.

Here are some of the Prominent Titles in Santacruzan:

1. Reyna Elena (Queen Helena) – always the last member of the procession, she represents Saint Helena herself, whose finding of the True Cross is symbolized by the cross or crucifix that she bears in her arms. This considerably prestigious role is often awarded to the most beautiful girl or important matron in the pageant.
- Constantino - the es**rt of Reyna Elena, representing her son, Constantine the Great (272 – 337 AD). Despite the Emperor having been an adult when his mother found the True Cross, this role is almost always played by a small boy in princely raiment.

2. Reyna Emperatríz (Queen Empress) – a representation of Saint Helena of Constantinople, specifically her title Augusta ('empress' or 'queen mother'), which she received from Constantine in 325 AD.

3. Reyna de las Flores (Queen of Flowers) – The Queen of the Flores de Mayo. She carries a grand bouquet of flowers.

4. Reyna Fé (Queen Faith) – symbolises Faith, the first theological virtue. She carries a cross.

5. Reyna Esperanza (Queen Hope) – symbolises Hope, the second theological virtue. She carries an anchor.

6. Reyna Caridad (Queen Charity) – symbolises Charity, the third theological virtue. She carries a red heart.

08/05/2022

"The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother." — St. Therese of Lisieux

08/05/2022

Have a Blessed Good Shepherd Sunday!

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗱?
Reflection by Bro. Gevans Gueco
from Good Shepherd Parish Pandacaqui, Mexico, Pampanga

"green pastures... still waters... restores the soul...no fear for evil... a table before me...anoint my head with oil... goodness and mercy..."
(Ps. 23, NABRE)

We may have seen His goodness with these promises unto which we held on so trustingly. We may have been consoled by these valued prizes upon which we lavished. But is this only what the Good Shepherd has given us?

In the stubbornness of the sheep, what have we costed the Shepherd? He could've stayed at the right hand of the Father. He could've refrained from meddling. He could've enjoyed the arraignment of clouds in His might. And yet He descended--only to wear a shepherds robe. He exchanged His scepter for a staff to lead the flock, that is so lost, back to the "green pastures" where once again they may come near the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden. And was it ever an easy task?

"Peter do you love me?"
"Feed my sheep."
(Jn 21:15, NABRE)

Before returning to the right hand of the Father, Jesus left Peter the manual of the job, the instructions in Shepherding. He told Peter what was to happen. He warned him about getting to places which he had no plans on traversing. He repeated the question thrice, which somehow agitated Peter. It was as if, Jesus had been telling him to muster his patience, since on the job of shepherding the flock, Jesus knew, he would be constantly confronted by the same question: "Do you love me? If so, feed my stubborn sheep."

"I am the Good Shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep." (Jn 10:11, NABRE)

Alas! This was the cost! Jesus had weighed out the price a shepherd pays in feeding and tending the sheep--His own Life. The Divine came down to the lineage of shepherds: the shepherd-patriarch Jacob, the shepherd-king David and, of course, the shepherd-Saviour Jesus. Fulton Sheen would call out how even the symbol of this shepherding would, later on, be culminated in His life when "the staff became a crook, the crook became a scepter, the scepter became a Cross." Yes, a Cross! His staff that gave the sheep a consolation, that led them back to green pastures, that protected them from evil in the valley of death, is the same Cross unto which He laid down His life for the flock, for humanity. The same Shepherd, is Himself the Lamb of God Who was slain for the salvation of rest of the flock.

This is how GOOD the Good Shepherd is. Behind the stubbornness of the flock, He unconditionally laid down His life for His sheep.