In the town of Valladolid, Negros Occidental, a third-generation sculptor has brought to life an extraordinary wall sculpture within a century-old Catholic church. According to DonDon Alles, a renowned religious sculptor, it took him approximately three months to create his masterpiece titled “Jesus Walking on the Water.”
What makes the creation even more astonishing is the puzzle-like process of crafting it. The church wall, measuring 13 feet in length and 13 feet in width, is made of sturdy molave wood. Due to this, he had to cut and assemble it like a puzzle to fit the width of the wall. Lifting the wooden pieces also posed a significant challenge due to their considerable weight, necessitating the use of a boom truck for proper lifting and positioning.
Despite the hardships encountered by DonDon throughout the entire process of creation and installation, the result is truly awe-inspiring. This wall sculpture seems to be the first of its kind in the Philippines, adorning the church walls and bringing honor not only to the town of Valladolid but also to Negros Occidental.
DonDon Alles began his journey as a sculptor at the young age of 17 under the guidance and influence of his grandfather and father. The Alles family is well-known for their expertise in sculpture, inherited from their grandfather, Budoy. Over time, this skill was passed down to DonDon’s father, Buchoy, and now to the third generation with DonDon, who is currently 37 years old. He is one of the few individuals with such remarkable skills in Negros Occidental.
Aside from “Jesus Walking on the Water,” DonDon and his father Butchoy Alles are involved in creating numerous religious sculptures. Currently, they have plans to craft another wall sculpture on the opposite side of the Guadalupe Church in Valladolid, Negros Occidental. This endeavor marks a significant step in promoting and valuing the art of sculpture within their community.
