Amorsolo’s ‘Mango Harvesters’ Painting Returns to Negros Museum

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The “Mango Harvesters” painting by national artist Fernando Amorsolo was successfully returned to the Hofileña Museum, almost a year after it was stolen from the museum in Silay City, Negros Occidental, in July last year.

The painting was unveiled in a ceremony at the museum on April 25, where members of the Hofileña family were present.

The family shared what the painting means for Silay City’s culture, heritage, and roots.

The Hofileña family also expressed its appreciation to members of the National Bureau of Investigation and those who led the entrapment operation that resulted in the arrest of the robbers in Manila and the recovery of the stolen painting.

“Indeed, the greatest sense of community is found in art, culture, and virtue,” the museum said in a Facebook post.

The NBI recovered the “Mango Harvesters” (1936) painting eight days after it was stolen from the museum on July 3.

The painting was taken by two persons who pretended to be tourists and stole it from the second floor of the museum, which also serves as the family’s ancestral house.

Mayor Joedith Gallego earlier offered a PHP25,000 reward for any lead to recover the painting.