A prized possession of the Hofileña Museum, a private museum in Silay, Bacolod, the Fernando Amorsolo masterpiece titled "Mango Harvesters" (1936), was reported stolen on July 3, 2024.
According to a Facebook post by Silay Heritage on July 5, 2024, a group of cultural advocates in Silay, "The Hofileña Museum in Silay City, Negros Occ. reports the theft of their painting by National Artist Fernando C. Amorsolo."
The museum is a well-known cultural and tourist destination in the city. Apart from the well-preserved house, the main attraction of the museum is on the second floor, where important artworks from masters like Juan Luna, Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, Vicente Manansala, H.R. Ocampo and Benedicto "BenCab" Cabrera, are displayed.
The stolen art piece is part of the collection of the late Ramon Hofileña, an art connoisseur and dubbed the "Father of Heritage Conservation in Silay City."
Authorities are seeking the public's help in locating the missing artwork.
"Anyone with information on the stolen painting can contact the Silay police at 09985987443 or 09989674432," shared the Silay Heritage Facebook post.