The Anthem Philatelist

 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...

Vendors, Early Works in Watercolor Darby Vincent Alcoseba is a illustrious figure in the contemporary Philippine art landscape, bridging classical Cebuano realism with a modern, global sensibility. Born on June 26, 1983, in Cebu City, Alcoseba belongs to a four-generation artistic dynasty that has heavily shaped Visayan culture. While he initially pursued an academic path far removed from canvas and pigment, his inherent lineage eventually caught up with him, prompting a dramatic pivot that established him as an internationally recognized master of realist and surrealist painting. The Weight of Artistic Heritage To understand Alcoseba’s art is to understand the legacy he carries. His great-grandfather, Jose Trinidad “Noy Peping” Alcoseba , was a founding member of the historic Cebu Art Association in 1936. His father, Antonio "Tony" Alcoseba , is a revered master of watercolor who trained under Martino Abellana —the legendary "Dean of Cebuano Painters". His uncle, ...