The Filipino Artists a research paper by Gabriel D. Maynigo AN ART PROJECT submitted to Ms. Sheila Gacos

Introduction The Filipino Artists, a research paper is a compilation of Gabriel D. Maynigo’s latest researches about the Philippine’s national artists. Maynigo is a grade two student at the Diliman Preparatory School in Novaliches, Quezon City. Maynigo enjoys reading literary books and appreciates various arts – may it be a poem, a song or a painting. Maynigo has two younger brothers, namely Miguel and Daniel. They spend their usual weekend with their parents appreciating art and all its form. Introduction

Tony Velasquez aka Antonio Velasquez 1st Filipino cartoonist who published the 1st Filipino comic strip, Kenkoy (1929) 1st Filipino comics creator who published the 1st serialized Filipino cartoon strip "Mga Kabalbalan ni Kenkoy" (Kenkoy's Antics, 1928) Founder of the Graphic Arts Service, Inc. (GASI, 1962) Founder of Pilipino Komiks (1947) Founder of the Tagalog Klasiks, the Hiwaga Komiks, and the Espesyal Komiks under the Ace Publications "Father of the Philippine Komiks" Date of birth October 29, 1910 birthplace Paco, Manila, Philippines year of death 1997

Tony Velasquez' career as a comics artist spanned the birth, development, and triumph of the comics industry in the Philippines. Born in Paco, Manila, Tony Velasquez created the first serialized Filipino cartoon strip, 'Mga Kabalbalan ni Kenkoy' ('Kenkoy's Antics') in 1928. Arguably the most influential comic strip in the Philippines, 'Mga Kabalbalan ni Kenkoy' opened the floodgates that started the tradition of cartoon strips in the Philippines. During his years as a comic artist, Velasquez created more than 300 cartoon characters some of whom became household names in Filipino homes, such as 'Kenkoy', 'Tsikiting Gubat', 'Talakitok', 'Talimusak', 'Ponyang Halobaybay', etc. Upon his death in 1997, Velasquez was already recognized as the "Father of the Philippine Komiks".

Fernando Amorsolo aka Fernando Cueto Amorsolo 1st Filipino National Artist of the Republic of the Philippines (1972) 1st Filipino Painter to receive the National Artist Award (1972) Philippine National Artist in Painting (1972) Alias "Grand Old Man of Philippine Art" "Artist of Light" date of birth May 30, 1892 Birthplace Paco, Manila, Philippines father: Pedro Amorsolo mother: Bonifacia Cueto 2nd wife: Maria del Carmen Fernando and Maria had eight children. 1st wife: Salud Jorge Fernando and Salud had six children. Year of death: April 24, 1972

A few of his art works- Lavendera A woman wearing a red skirt and sash, and a white blouse and head covering, holds up the clothes she is washing with her left hand. According to Sylvia Amorsolo-Lazo, "This scene could be in one of the streams in Marilao, or Sta. Maria, or Bocaue in Bulacan Province as these are the places he frequented spending time working on the spot. Marilao is the place where he saw and courted my mother. The tree at the back that has the color like of bamboo plants could be just wild bushes with the bright light of the sun striking it. One could a portion of this plant in between the rocks. The tree at the right side is definitely not a mango tree. With the vines hanging from it, it could be that of a balete tree. "

Sunset: Return of the Fishermen was done in 1939, at the height of Amorsolo’s career. The scene is Manila Bay, famous for its beautiful sunsets. Mount Samat on Bataan is the island in the background. A coconut palm shelters the incoming banca (boat). Nipa huts and bancas are on the right. Two boats, to the right, have already finished work for the day. The incoming banca appears to be the last one to come home. The three figures beach the boat and prepare to bring in the day’s catch. The figures are not the focal part of the composition. The glowing sunset and the misty mountain are the prime elements in the composition. Amorsolo’s sunset scenes characteristically have this tonal, transparent glow. Like the subject, they embody a landscape filled with peace and serenity.

Famous Filipino Artist in Music Category Andrea Ofilada Veneracion or "Ma'am OA", as she is affectionately called was born on July 11, 1928. She is a Filipino choral conductor and a National Artist for Music in the Philippines. She is the Founding Choirmaster of the Philippine Madrigal Singers and is internationally recognized as one of the finest conductors, pedagogues and musicians of our time. She was also an adjudicator in numerous international choral competitions and was an active force in choral music before her massive stroke in 2005. In 1997, Andrea Veneracion was awarded the TOFIL (The Outstanding Filipino) Award for Culture and the Arts For her contributions to the development of choral singing in the Philippines. Eventually in 1999, Ma'am OA was named National Artist for Music, the highest cultural award bestowed by the Philippine government for an individual. In addition, the Philippine Madrigal Singers was named one of the Resident Artists of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

A Filipino Famous Artist, Wilfrido Ma A Filipino Famous Artist, Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero was born on January 1917 and died on May 1995. Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero was a very famous Filipino playwright, director, teacher and theater artist. Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero has written well over a hundred plays, 41 of which have been published. Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero’s unpublished plays have either been broadcast over the radio or staged in various parts of the Philippines. Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero publications include 13 Plays (first published in 1947), 8 Other Plays (1952), 7 More Plays (1962), 12 New Plays (1975), My Favorite 11 Plays (1976), 4 Latest Plays (1980), Retribution and eight other selected plays (1990) and The Guerreros of Ermita (1988). Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero has been the teacher of some of the most famous people in the Performing Arts at present: Behn Cervantes, Celia Diaz-Laurel, Joy Virata, and Joonee Gamboa. Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero has received three national awards: the Rizal Pro-Patria Award in 1961, the Araw ng Maynila Award in 1969, and the Republic Cultural Heritage Award in 1972. The U.P. Mobile Theater has been a recipient of two awards when he was its director: The Citizen's Council for Mass Media Trophy (1966) and the Balagtas Award (1969). In 1997, Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero was posthumously distinguished as a National Artist for Philippine Theatre. Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero

Juan Luna Juan Luna was a distinguished Filipino painter born to Joaquin Luna and Laurena Novicio on October 23, 1857 in Badoc, Ilocos Norte. He studied designing at the Academia de Dibujo Y Pintura at the Ateneo de Manila. He entered Escuella de Bella Artes in Madrid while he was on travel in Spain in 1877. The famous masterpieces that made Juan Luna a renowned painter are The Death of Cleopatra, The Blood Compact and The Spolarium. The Death of Cleopatra made him won the gold medal and was sold for 5000 pesetas in 1881. Other remarkable works included: Ang Mestisa * Ang Labanan sa Lepanto * Ang Tagumpay ni Lapu-lapu * Ang Aliping Bulag * Ang Espanya sa Pilipinas When he returned to the Philippines he was suspected of being a member of the Katipuneros that is why he was captured and imprisoned at Fort Santiago in 1896. Afterwards he went back to Spain and joined with Graciano Lopez-Jaena, Marcrlo H. del Pilar and Jose Rizal. Shortly he died on December 7, 1899 due to sickness.

A few of his art works- The painting shows fallen gladiators being dragged to an unseen pile of corpses in a chamber beneath the Roman arena. Untitled" , Oil on Canvas, 61 x 91 cms., 1889 Alemania

Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo was Filipino painter that sprung during the 19th century. He was the third son among the seven children of Eduardo Resurrecccion Hidalgo and Maria Barbara Padilla and was born on February 21, 1853 in Manila. He studied in the University of Santo Tomas and simultaneously enrolled at the Escuella de Dibujo y Pintura. He enrolled at the Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando de Madrid. The following are the masterpieces of Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo: Flora de Filipinas (Plants of the Philippines) - awarded second place for best cover design for de Luxe edition. La Siesta (Nap in the afternoon) - a piece which was favorably reviewed in La Ilustracion Espanola y Americana in 1881. Las Virgenes Cristianas Expuestas al Populacho (The Christian virgins to the Populace) - garnered the ninth silver medal award by the Exposicion General de Bells Artes in Madrid in 1884. La Barca de Aqueronte (The Boat of Charon) - received a gold medal in the international exposition in Madrid and was bought for 7500 pesetas by the Spanish government. * Laguna Estigia (The Styx) * El Violinista - was accorded a gold medal at the Universal Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri. Felix Ressurreccion Hidalgo (1855-1913)

Sample of his art work- Felix Hidalgo, "Lady in Red Shawl", Oil on Canvas, 16 x 11 inches, undated (1870-1880's)

Above: Artist Fernando Amorsolo's Signature The first Filipino who was distinguished as the Philippines National Artist in Painting was Fernando Amorsolo in 1972. His paintings were exhibited on January 23, 1969 during the inauguration of the Manila Hilton's art center and he was named as the "Grand Old Man of Philippine Arts". Amorsolo's works covered a variety of subjects but he was especially known for ideal and romantic subjects that portrays the images of life in the countryside of Filipino women such as the Dalagang Bukid or Dalagang Nayon. He also painted historical paintings on pre-colonial and Spanish colonization and events of Filipino customs, fiestas, occupations and cultures. The technique of backlighting and the use of natural light were Amorsolo's trademarks.

A few of his masterpieces-

Carlos "Botong" Francisco, the poet of Angono, single-handedly revived the forgotten art of mural and remained its most distinguished practitioner for nearly three decades. In panels such as those that grace the City Hall of Manila, Francisco turned fragments of the historic past into vivid records of the legendary courage of the ancestors of his race. He was invariably linked with the "modernist" artists, forming with Victorio C. Edades and Galo Ocampo what was then known in the local art circles as "The Triumvirate". Botong's unerring eye for composition, the lush tropical sense of color and an abiding faith in the folk values typified by the townspeople of Angono became the hallmark of his art. His other major works include the following: Portrait of Purita, The Invasion of Limahong, Serenade, Muslim Betrothal, Blood Compact, First Mass at Limasawa, The Martyrdom of Rizal, Bayanihan, Magpupukot, Fiesta, Bayanihan sa Bukid, Sandugo. National Artist for Visual Arts Carlos "Botong" Francisco. Photo courtesy of Vibal Foundation.

A few of his masterpieces- Katipunan Bayanihan Maria Makiling, 1947

Victorio C. Edades became known as the "Father of Modern Philippine Painting" because of his technique in painting in bold impasto stroke and his advocacy in creative art. The themes illustrated in Edades' works featured laborers, simple folk and factory workers and he preferred to use dark and sad colors contrasting to Amorsolo's technique. He became the Dean of the University of Santo Tomas' Department of Achitecture in the 1930's. He was the one who introduced the liberal arts programs as part of the subjects in foreign languages and art history that will lead to a degree of Bachelor in Fine Arts and this made University of Santo Tomas the first Philippine art school. Edades invited Galo B. Ocampo and Carlos "Botong" Francisco to teach in the university as professor artists. The three piloted the growth of mural painting in the Philippines and would collectively be known as the astounding "Triumvirate". When he retired from teaching he was recognized as an outstanding "visionary, teacher and artist and was conferred honoris causa of Doctor of Fine Arts. Among his works were: * The artist and the Model * Portrait of the Professor * Japanese Girl * Mother and Daughter * The Wrestlers * Poinsettia Girl Victorio Edades (1895-1985)

A few of his masterpieces-

A few of his masterpieces- Victorio Edades, "Untitled", Charcoal on Paper, 43 x 28 cms., 1974