National Artists Botong and Maestro San Pedro’s lives relived through canvas

The National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), together with the Intramuros Visual Artists Philippines (IVAP), revived the memoirs of two artists who have been considered as the founders of Philippine arts and culture through an art exhibit launch dedicated to National Artist for Visual Arts Carlos “Botong” Francisco and National Artist for Music Maestro Lucio San Pedro, who both serve as sources of inspiration for aspiring artists in the country. The said activity was held yesterday (Friday) in celebration of the artists’ 100^th birth centenary.

  

Led by NPDC Executive Director Juliet H. Villegas and IVAP President Nemencio “Nemi” Miranda, a week-long art exhibit was formally launched yesterday to the public at the Arts Association of the Philippines Gallery in Rizal Park’s Kanlungan ng Sining. The said launch was also attended by other talented and renowned local artists, and was carried the theme “Sentinaryo”.

  

Through 40 paintings, which measure approximately 5x3 feet each, 40 Filipino artists from different parts of the country showcased the life, works, and the personas of Francisco and San Pedro, who both hail from Angono, Rizal.

According to Villegas, the said project aims to help Filipinos, especially local and foreign park goers, realize and understand the value and contributions of Francisco and San Pedro in the arts industry inside and outside of the country.

 “It is important for us to help our fellow Filipinos, especially our youth and our foreign visitors, appreciate and grasp the essence of the contributions of two of our national artists in the likes of Botong Francisco and Maestro Lucio San Pedro. The NPDC, together with those who constitute the IVAP, believe that this endeavor would be of great assistance in making the world realize the innate talent of Filipino artists,” Villegas explained.

  

National Commission for Culture and the Arts Director for Visual Artist Nemiranda, for his part, said that although it might seem as a challenge for Filipino artists in the country to follow San Pedro and Botong’s legacies, the project serves as a means to expand and develop the arts industry in the Philippines, which has been recognized all over the world.

“It is not easy to follow the steps taken by two of the country’s founders of the arts, however, this serves as a big challenge to us, especially to the next generation, to develop, expand, and enhance the arts industry in the Philippines,” Nemiranda explained.   

The NPDC and the IVAP plan to hold an art exhibit caravan in different parts of the archipelago, which will feature the aforementioned number of paintings so that Filipinos residing all over the country would recognize and know Francisco and Maestro San Pedro better.

Nemiranda is joined by other participating artists in the likes of Pancho Piano; Al Perez; Alberto Magsumbol, Egai Fernandez, Jun Tiongco, Ferdinand Anore, Jericho Oliveros, Joseph Ablay, Jovito Andres, Jun Martinez, Jun Rocha, Angelito Balagtas, Ramon Vivas, Reynaldo Punelas, Ember Chrisostomo, Rommel Francisco, Jun Morondoz, Danny Pangan, Augusto Santiago, Bernardo Balagtas, Carlos Francisco III, Charlie Val, Dennis Tresvalles, Edgardo Parducho, Jhun Anthony Reyes, Jose Cenina, Rey Arcilla, Rico Tompong, Rodolfo Alcantara, Jr., Rodrigo Anitohin, Roland Alcantara, Rudolf Gonzales, Thomas Canas, Cee Cadio, Cesar Hernandez, Buhay Mendoza, Divino Cabanes, and Edgar Cornito.


Image credit to the respected owner.