Cebuano Artists Painting Collection- Cesar Castillo

Cesar Castillo was born and raised in Cebu City. Though he had shown interest in arts, he ended up taking Mechanical Engineering course in the University of the Visayas in 1986 just to fulfill the request of his parents.

After graduation, he worked as a quality controller in the glass plant department of San Miguel Corporation, Cebu branch. Though busy with his works, he always found time to develop his artistic skills, turning his free time into opportunities for learning. As his artistic quest evolved, he started to find self-confidence in every painting he created thus giving him the privilege to slowly expose his art to Cebu's art patron and enthusiast.

Giving in to the clamor for artistic expression, Castillo decided to go full time in painting. His works are showcase of his concern for details and reflection of his innate love for colors.

Cebuano Artists Painting Collection- Maxcel Migallos

Maxcel Puentenegra Migallos is a realist painter who was born and grew up in Davao City. His is a of Fine Arts Major in advertising at the Philippine Women's University in Manila in 1980 where he was named Most Outstanding Art Student. In 1981, he was featured in the "Ten Young Artists" art exhibit at Greenhills Art Center. In 1983 he move to Cebu. However, a year later he pursued another discipline and took up Architecture and finished the course in 1987. He practiced architecture and taught at the University of San Carlos both in architecture and fine arts program of the University.

He has participated in numerous group shows in and around Cebu as a member of the group first in Cebu Art Association nd later Kolor Sugbu where he is currently its president. In 1997, he was featured as one of the five Visayan artists in the third part of Manuel Duldulao's art book "Century of Philippine Realism". Prior to this, he was also featured in a coffee table book published in Cebu, "Cebuano Art Heritage". In 2008, he was also one of the Cebuanos featured in Duldulao's "Philippine Art Show".

Running for Something Bigger than Yourself- the Pink Run

At the fragile age of 4 months, our youngest child, Vianna, was stricken with leukemia. The news hit us hard and it forever changed our lives. The prognosis was bad- Infantile leukemia, had far worse outcome than childhood leukemia. A very grim picture was painted by the 2 of the 3 pediatric hematologists we consulted and her chances of survival beyond infancy was slim. One doctor from St. Lukes Hospital, however was optimistic; assuring us that 60% of his patient survived- he only had 3.

With our friends and relatives fervent prayers and with God's magnificent grace, our dear Yanna, is now in remission and is celebrating her one year on Earth. It is for this reason that my wife and I decided to run in her honor in the Pink Run- a race for people with cancer, a celebration of the gift we call Life. We dedicate this run to her; even wore a special-made metallic pin with her picture on it. We love you Yanna dearest. We thank you for giving us an opportunity to take care of you. We thank God for entrusting you to us, and choosing us the to be stewards of one of His most precious possessions- YOU. A million kisses and hugs!!

P.S.Daddy run 10 km, Mommy is not a runner, so she attempted to run but ended up walking 3 kilometers.

Run to the Max II 10 mile Race

This is my longest road race so far, 10 miles or 16 kilometers, which i finished in 1 hour and 45 minutes. I felt awesome during the run although I felt my thighs were beginning to harden during the last 3km. During my previous races, I noticed this lady (which I later knew was named Twinkle), dressed in a flashy attire, who I thought was older but definitely faster than me. I tried to run near her until the 10 kilometer mark, after which I sprinted, leaving her behind. I maintained my pace at around 6- 6:20 per kilometer.

My wife who was waiting for me at the finish line was worried that I might not finish the race because the heat was burning (we started late) and she knew I hated the blazing heat. Luckily, I anticipated this, and wore my Nike Dri-fit cap and hydration belt with an electrolyte drink. I followed the running rule to drink at regular intervals and not wait until your thirsty to prevent dehydration and heat stroke. I arrived at the finish line smiling again and giving high fives to my friend Larry, a veteran marathon, who said I did a good time.

Cebuano Artists Painting Collection- Benji Goyha

Benji Goyha was born in Samboan, Cebu on October 30, 1957. Though he loved to express himself in painting, he ended up enrolling in architecture at the University of the Visayas, Cebu, Philippines.

In 1981-89, he worked as an artist in one of Cebu's leading department store where he organized art related activities. His association with the Cebuano artists had been his turning point, going back to painting where he found freedom and satisfaction for his artistic expression.

Goyha, later established his own business in the field of silkscreen printing, but his membership with the Cebu Artists' Incorporated had encouraged him to pursue his love for painting. His works showcase his love and concern for nature and the invironment. He paints with broad brush strokes and plays with soft somber colors. His utmost objective is to bring prominence and recognition to his hometown, Samboan.

Cebuano Artists Painting Collection- Audie Estrellada

Audie Estrellada is a naturally gifted visual artist. He showed his talent at a very early age. Not fully contented with what he was capable of, he looked for ways to enhance his craft by enrolling in the International Arts School (IAS) in the 1980's.

His artworks are wide-ranged and multifarious: still life, landscapes, seascapes, figures, human interest, cultural and values-oriented themes and landmarks.

His media are oil on canvas, watercolor on paper, acrylic and oil antiquated wood and driftwood. He also experimented on sculpturing, doing images of religious saints. Most of his artworks dwell on realism.

His major awards were: First Place- Open Art Competition by the Art Association of the Philippines; Grand Prize, Filipino Inc.: Outstanding Siquijodnon in the Field of Visual Arts.

The artist is also involved in social activities. He is a Rotarian and a member of the LGU Committe on the culture and arts. He also conducts Summer Art Workshops.

Cebuano Artists Painting Collection- Jose Brillo Villaver

Jose Brillo Villaver was born in Cebu City on March 13, 1959. His early interest in painting has brought him to the hall of the University of the Philippines Cebu College where he completed his certificate of Fine Arts in 1980.

Before embarking on a full time mission as a painter, he first engaged himself into product and interior designing. Altough he was financially rewarded during this stint, he slowly realized spending much time in this area never gave him satisfaction. Thus, in the year 2005, he decided to go full time on painting.

Villaver's paintings are reflective of his concern and appreciation for the Filipino's tenacity in dealing with life, appreciating not only the positive but also the negative aspect of living. He employs heavy textures, applies radiating warm and cool colors, and uses strict heavy lines to emphasize his chosen subjects.

Cebuano Artists Painting Collection- Billy Pomida

Born in the island of Samar in the Philippines on July 11, 1963, Billy Pomida started the rudiments of drawing at a young age which inspired him to take up Fine Arts in college at the University of the East in Manila. In 1986, he worked as a graphic designer for a government research institution before devoting to full-time painting in 2001. Since then, he has participated in numerous group exhibitions in different places in the Philippines and a series of Three-Man Shows in the United States in 2002.

He has won numerous awards, among of which are the following: One of the Top Five Watercolorists for 2001 and 2007 and the runner-up for the 2008 in the Kulay sa Tubig Annual Invitational Watercolor Competition and Exhibition in Manila, Grand Prize, Cebu Arts Association 70th Anniversary Painting Competition in 2007, Grand Prize, President Ramon Magsaysay Death Anniversary Painting Contest, Grand Prize, Dona Modesta Gaisano Foundation Painting Contest in Cebu 2002, and First Prize, Civil Service Commission On-the--Spot Painting Contest in Tacloban City in 1991.

Above is Billy Pomida's watercolor painting of the Liloan lighthouse in Northern Cebu, now the centerpiece of Ayala Land's project Amara- a high-end seaside community.

Cebuano Artists Painting Collection- Gabriel Abellana

Gabriel Abellana comes from a family of artists. His father is a sculptor, musician and a dentist. His uncle is considered as one of the most influential artist in Cebu. He is a graduate of Fine Arts at the University of the Phillipines Cebu College.

Abellana is a plein air landscape artist but never ceases to artistically evolve by experimenting in abstraction using nature as inspiration. He mounted several group exhibits locally and internationally. He is presently a member of the faculty in the University of San Carlos Fine Arts Department. He also administers the Cebu Academy of Arts which regularly conducts Summer Art Workshops for children and adults.

Abellana organizes the yearly Doña Modesta Gaisano Foundation Annual Painting Competition. He is also an active member of the Association of Museums and Carcar Heritage Conservation Society.

Cebuano Artists Painting Collection- Celso Duazo Pepito

When we look and appraise a painting by Celso Duazo Pepito, one will immediately come face to face with a brilliantly made work of art. He was born 51 years ago on November 22 in Daan Bantayan, Cebu. He plunged into the world of art as a young man who showed special skills in lettering. He was surprise when he steps into the halls of the University of the Philippines that the fine arts course was after all about painting. His painting career took off soon after college.

There were years of facing struggles hurdling one trial after another. Like college education, experience is considered as the best teacher. His paintings are known to contain imagery that is brought to life by crisp and clear lines, bold strokes and his usual usage of bright color scheming. But deep within his subjects are personal motives and intentions that come from his heart.

The man is with a mission he believes not impossible. Apart from the physical manipulations of the hand that holds the brush, the works carry messages that Pepito infuses to visually communicate. The paintings aren’t just made of the medium but it can be said that the messages he wants to convey and the meaning the artwork may possess is what completes the painting. Even with the seemingly straight-forwardness of Pepito’s paintings it is unwise to take them at face value because there is more to it than meets the eye. Because there are several symbolisms in the composition though these symbols are not hidden or coded. Pepito do not hide them, the symbols actually doubles as aesthetic elements and embellishments. These symbols have become a common feature and fixture.

His paintings are usually made up of three planar divisions used as backdrops to his modern figural subjects. What isn’t known to many is that they carry personal meanings. Pepito has three different explanations for the three geometrical partitions. One has to do with strengthening family ties; the second is about the spirit of nationalism while the third embraces religious spirituality. These three concerns sum up the totality of his art and person. The first symbolize the family and the number takes significance because he’s got three young-adult children who are all boys.

Pepito is an unwavering believer that positive change in society will start in the family. This is why his works always and never-fails to show and depict family values and tradition. Second is that of nation-building and nationhood. They represent the concept of Luzviminda, the three geographical parts of the country. Pepito’s paintings are nationalistic in the sense that it gives a positive picture of what the Filipino life style is. And notice his choice of colors the preference are our national flag colors. Lastly the third stands for the Holy Trinity. This is Pepito’s commitment to a continuing apostolate.

Pepito's painting style is in the modernist vein that verges towards cubism hence they are heavy on polygons. But what is the most readily discernable is the octagon shape rising high above his canvas. To him the bright octagon symbolize hope, a virtue Pepito never seems to run out with.

The National Anthem of Bolivia

The national anthem of Bolivia (Himno Nacional de Bolivia), also known as Bolivianos, el Hado Propicio (Bolivians, a most Favorable Destiny) was adopted in 1851. José Ignacio de Sanjinés, a signer of both the Bolivian Declaration of Independence and the first Bolivian Constitution, wrote the lyrics. The music was composed by an Italian, Leopoldo Benedetto Vincenti.

José Ignacio de Sanjinés Barriga (1786 – August 15, 1864) was a Bolivian poet and legislator. Born in Chuquisaca, he was a delegate to the Asambleas Deliberante y Constituyente (Deliberative and Constituent Assemblies) of 1825 and 1826, when Bolivia first became an independent republic.

He signed the Bolivian Declaration of Independence and the first Bolivian Constitution. His lyrics were meant to inspire patriotism, hatred of tyranny and love of freedom, and admiration for Bolivian soldiers who had recently won Bolivia's war of independence against Spain. He died in Sucre in 1864.

World Heart Day Race

The World Heart Day Race unfolded last September 27, 2009. This was my first race- a 10K which started at exactly 6 am at the Cebu Provincial Capitol area. Being a nocturnal person, waking up at 4:30 am to get ready for the race was really an effort, but I thought, this is a race for the heart and only those with a "heart" will survive the race. After packing my running stuff and carb loading with a slice of bread and a teaspoon of crispy peanut butter, my wife and I were off to the venue. She had to come with me or else, no one would take pictures of me running. This is a momentous event for a first timer like me. We then proceeded to the booth to get our singlet and race number (008)- "a lucky number", my wife commented.

At the starting line, I mentally told my self that I would run to enjoy the moment, no sprinting- just running at my average pace of 6 min and 40 seconds per km. When the gun fired to signal the start of the race, a crazy thing happened which triggered a transient bout of panic attack. My iPod- with its Nike iSport kit- refused to play. Is my sensor at my other shoe, the battery low or busted earbuds? What in God's name is wrong here?? I CANT RUN WITHOUT MY MUSIC. I walked for at least 2 minutes trying to figure out the gadget problem. My wife was able to capture this as you can see in the pics. After incessantly pressing the center button, the thing miraculously played and off I went.

The weather was fine and the air was cool. This was the earliest run in my whole life and the road without traffic was a pleasant sight to see. The 10 kilometer run felt short and easy. At around kilometer 4, the fastest runner had already made his U-turn at Gaisano country mall and we met in the opposite direction near crossroads. At kilometer 5, Yong and Donna Larrazabal were already on their way back. "It's okay", I told myself, my goal was to finish the race and time was not of importance.

After 1 hour and 3 minutes of running, I reached the finish line smiling- happy and contented to have finished my first race intact. Next time, I'll run the 10K in less than an hour- if my iPod cooperates.