Four years ago, while at Cardinal Santos Hospital looking for a particular doctor, I found myself inside the office of the hospital medical director. The minute I entered their office, my eyes instantly caught a gorgeous seascape oil painting hanging on the wall. It was an oil on canvass, size 30″ x 40″ done by Amado Hidalgo.
Hidaldo was born in Bayombong, Nueva Viscaya, in 1945. He is a graduate of Fine Arts from UP Diliman. The multi-awarded artist is known for his hyper-realist seascape murals. Some of his works could be found in the offices of Philippine Airlines, Shell, Citibank, HSBC, United Laboratories, etc.
I couldn’t take my eyes off it. There was a strong emotional connection between me and the subjects. I was instantly drawn by the image of a little boy and a girl playing on the shore. I was transfixed. I imagined they were my children. I must have that painting.
I asked the medical director’s secretary if the hospital owned the painting. She told me that the doctor just borrowed it from someone. I looked for that someone. After two weeks I found her. The painting was not for sale. In fact, the medical director also wanted to buy it, but instead, she just agreed to lend it to the hospital. After two more weeks of prodding and convincing, she agreed to sell it to me but I wasn’t able to get it right away. It remained at the director’s office for a few more weeks till they got another art piece to replace the Hidalgo.
When Ford Cainta was going to have its blessing and grand launching, I hung several paintings on the second floor. A mother and child at the stairs landing. A big painting by Antonio Co in the VIP room, and the Amado Hidalgo painting in the conference room, Leynes in the accounting department. I brought home Leynes because it was smaller in size and easier to get lost (or stolen).
I seldom visited Ford Cainta. But the last time I checked, it was still there hanging in the conference room. But the managers were claiming that there was never a painting there from the start. Tonight, my husband sounded like he believed that there was really no painting in the conference room and asked me several times where I hanged it as if I wasn’t sure. I just turned away. I walked away, into the guest room, went inside its bathroom and cried a river. I just felt so sad. I stopped crying for fear of getting a severe migraine attack afterwards.
This photo taken during a staff meeting in January of this year is clear proof that my Amado Hidalgo painting is indeed there at the conference room. Can you see it?
Another photo taken in February 2015
Amado Hidalgo is 70 years old and is still pretty much around. He is not a prolific artist like Baldemor. The price of his works have gone up 4 folds but still cheaper compared to the other well-known artists.
I hope and pray to find my missing piece. More than its value, I have an emotional connection to it. It’s like my children’s portrait.
Please come back to me. If someone has stolen you, find your way home, here with me. Please.
Oh my God. I feel so sad. 🙁 Nasaan na kaya sya?
It’s big, most probably kinuha yan after office hours or weekend.
I pray that this precious painting finds its way home – to you Annie.
Ms Annie, u have more than enough proof that there was indeed a painting HANGING on the wall of the conference room.. Maybe u should start posting these pics in every department, so that whoever stole ur painting will not find peace for the rest of his life.. Baka sakaling MAKONSENSYA .. 😉
Another case in point.. whoever stole it has access to that particular room, and for all u know, he might even be in connivance with the security guards.. How else will someone be able to TAKE IT OFF the wall and LEAVE with a large frame without anyone NOTICING him bringing it out of the office? After all, don’t the guards log in their logbooks ANY ITEM being taken out of the office or building?
Although it’s very unlikely, i hope whoever stole it will find it in his conscience to return it to u.. Sana MAKONSENSYA SILA ng mga kasama nya… 🙁
Things happen for a reason, Ms Annie.. I have always believed that if u lose something, God will always replace it with something of greater value… 🙂
With God’s grace, maybe someday, someone will return it to ur office.. 😉
Take care and God bless.. 🙂
This is sad. Bat ganun pag mas nagiging successful tao mas dumadami ang nag tatake advantage.
Andyan me mangungutang, or kasambahay na kukupitan ka, or lilinlangin ka.
How can they justify na ok lang yun since mayaman naman ung tao, d na kawalan mga kinukuha nila.
What a blatant underhanded act. Can’t you at least recover the cost from the security agency or from the insurance company? You should probably not hang expensive paintings in your showrooms.
That is so sad. I’m sorry that it is missing. You may want to inform some auction houses/galleries. They can inform you if someone tries to sell it to them.
Oh my, i didnt want to sell that painitng it was also very sentimental for me as those are my kids i painted. Hope It finds it’s way back home, to your heart.
Hi, Thank you for your message.
I found the painting. It was not stolen. A huge white board was put up that covered the painting. What was weird was no one ever noticed the painting that’s why I thought it was missing.
I will take care of that painting and will not sell it.
Kind regards,
Omb
Miss Annie, would you like to take it home with you instead of letting it hang in the conference room. Now that your employees know how precious it is, someone might take the opportunity. Not trying to be nega but who knows…
Are you interested in having another one made or getting one of his pieces? I am one of Amado Hidalgo’s art brokers.
Hi Justin,
Thank you for your message. No. I have no plans of buying another painting at the moment.
Regards.
Omb
Okay. Thanks for the response. Please keep me in mind in your next purchase of art. Wonderful entertaining blog by the way!