BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental provincial government hailed the return of the Mango Harvesters painting of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo to the Hofileña Museum in Silay City, Negros Occidental.

FERNANDO Amorsolo's Mango Harvester's painting. (FB)

The 1936 painting, stolen from the museum on July 3, 2024, was recovered by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) days later and turned over to the National Museum in Manila on July 12.

On Friday afternoon, the masterpiece was unveiled and displayed anew in a ceremony led by the Hofileña family and joined by city officials, law enforcers, culture and history advocates, artists, and tourist guides.

“We are celebrating more than just the return of a lost painting – we celebrate the return of a story, a memory, and a piece of our cultural heritage that was once taken from us,” Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said in his message delivered by provincial tourism head Cheryl Decena.

Lacson thanked the Hofileña family for their unwavering commitment to preserving the cultural wealth of Silay and Negros Occidental.

He acknowledged anew the NBI, the Philippine National Police, and all those who contributed to the successful recovery of the painting.

“The successful operation is a proud moment and a testament to the unwavering dedication, relentless investigative efforts, and excellent coordination of our law enforcement agencies,” the governor said.

Decena said on Saturday the province’s tourism sector joins the Hofileña family in celebrating the return of the Amorsolo painting to the museum.

“All the efforts that came with its recovery give a strong statement, that we take very seriously the preservation and protection of our local heritage in Negros Occidental,” she added.

During the ceremony, museum manager Rene Hofileña gave an award of recognition to the tourist pedicab driver who provided a lead to the authorities after it was determined that the persons who boarded his vehicle were the ones who stole the Amorsolo painting.

According to the NBI, two individuals, who have already been charged, later tried to sell the 12" x 18" masterpiece to undercover agents for P3 million.

National Museum Director General Jeremy Barns earlier said they looked forward to the return of Mango Harvesters to its rightful owners and home at the Hofileña Museum, as well as to the successful prosecution of all persons involved in the theft of the valuable piece of the nation’s cultural and artistic heritage.