Charles Teves
Netizens were amazed by the viral Facebook post by artist Chaboy Dela Cruz. The post featured a client who, instead of payment, sent a Bible verse when requesting a portrait.
Along with his Facebook post, Dela Cruz attached a screenshot of his email correspondence with the female client who sent him two selfies.
She asked him to draw the selfie that she claimed was more beautiful and requested that he wait until Wednesday.
When the artist asked if she would pay him for his work, the client replied that it was necessary. She then sent him a Bible verse from Hebrews 13:5-8.
“Nak huwag mo hayaang isangla ang kaluluwa mo kay Satanas para lang sa kapirasong pera.”
The artist clarified that he wasn’t selling his soul to the devil, but he needed the money because he is an artist.
He even offered a discount to his client but reiterated that his work was not free.
However, it appears that the client had no intention of paying and instead asked for the artist’s full name for a pray-over.
“Sendan ba naman ako ng bible verse, so pano pa ko tatanggi nyan ante?” he said.
“PARA SA MGA ARTIST JAN, WAG NA KAYONG MANINGIL KUNG AYAW NYONG MASANGLA KAY SATANAS MGA KALULUWA NYO,” he added.
According to an interview, the reason he posted it is to raise awareness that making portraits is not free; it’s the artist’s livelihood.
He also mentioned that Bible verses should not be used in such situations.
“Hindi ko po s’ya kilala personally, noong una po akala ko kliyente po s’ya na magpapagawa ng portrait, pero di po ata s’ya aware na may bayad po ang ganitong profession, hindi na rin po ako nag-reply after po ng last convo namin,” he furthered.
It seems that the client’s “pray over” was effective because after the artist’s post became viral, many people sent him private messages to inquire about and commission artwork. A day cannot be dedicated to estimating all the inquiries.
In an update post, he reveals that he and the customer made up.
