“Coffin Art” hopes to lessen fear of the dead

CEBU, Philippines - Some people see coffins as scary, even a forewarning of death.

Not Eleazar Tupas Jr., popularly known as Jun Tupas in Carcar City, who views coffins as a medium of self-expression.

He has popularized what he refers to as "Coffin Art" in the Tupas Funeral Services in Carcar.

His work include coffins carved into a sofa, rocking chair, bed, cabinet, mirror frames, boom box - even skateboards and rocking cribs for babies.

"Akong gi-aware ang public nga dili angay kahadlukan ang lungon kay pareho ra na siya ug furniture nga lingkuran nimo, ang deperensya lang kay ang porma niya," Tupas said.

Some coffins are hand painted by Cebu artists to depict the culture and history of Carcar City and Cebuanos in general.

 "Medyo dako siya ug gasto kay kinahanglan pa ka ug carver, mga artists kay hand painted ni atong mga artwork," Tupas said.

 Every year, Jun Tupas comes up with brand new "art."  This year, his Coffin Art has the portrait of Carcar-born Bishop Teofilo Camomot.

 The late Bishop is being lobbied in Rome by the Archdiocese of Cebu for beatification and could be the country's next saint.

 Tupas said his Coffin Art will be reflective of the current events and issues affecting people including his recent pedal-powered hearse as response to Climate Change.

 "Akong mga design ipahaom sa headline news. Kung unsay mga issues sa news akong ipahaom," Tupas said.

 He also created a colorful coffin dedicated for the LGBT community. Anyone can have his or her picture taken inside it.

Tupas' Coffin Art started 10 years ago when coffins from Filipinos who die abroad were just piling up in their stockroom.

 The caskets especially those from Italy, Middle East and even in the United States are reportedly being replaced here because these do not have a viewing glass, something that Filipinos are accustomed to.

"Sayang man gud kaayo ug ako i-dispose nga lungon siya so ako gipangitaan ug paagi sa lain na aspect. Ako siya gi-design nga magamit sa among lobby instead of mugasto ko ug dagko na kantidad para lang naa koy lingkuranan sa among lobby," Tupas said.

 Since then, tourists have trooped to the Funeral Homes to have their photo taken. Even students go there for an educational tour.

The Tupas family even put up a café right next to the funeral parlor which now doubles as a museum.

In the past, educational tours only cover century old houses and churches in Carcar. Today, visitors never fail to visit the funeral parlor to take photos of the unique Coffin Art.

 Jun Tupas' father opened the funeral parlor in 1969. The business reportedly benefited from the Coffin Art.

 But Tupas said his work is more than just generating sales.

 "Ang impact sa publiko, na open ilang mind sa funeral industry ug nawala na ang ilahang kahadlok," he explained.

 His advocacy is to instill in the minds of the people not to fear the coffin and the dead but treasure the memories and lessons that they have imparted upon the living. — /JMO (FREEMAN)