Immortalizing Martino Abellana (Noy Tinong)

R enowned painter Martino “Noy Tinong” Abellana was born on Jan. 30, 1914, in Carcar, Cebu, and lived for 74 years, leaving a legacy that may be unparalleled in the Cebuano art community; he is referred to as the “Dean of Cebuano Painters. His days spent mentoring and lecturing students on the campuses of the Cebu Institute of Technology and the University of the Philippines – Cebu (UP Cebu) are recalled by his former students with a tone of reverence. These students – many of whom have become renowned artists in their own right – will never lose their awe and respect for this great man, which has fueled a renewed movement for him to gain National Artist recognition. On Feb. 6, 2025 a celebratory program and dinner were held at the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Library and Activity Center after the ceremonial unveiling of a 12-piece Abellana portrait collection featuring the personalities who were the pillars of the school. During the program, CIT-U president En...