The Anthem Philatelist

  After shifting to Cubism in 1994, Celso Pepito thought of ceasing to paint in an impressionistic manner.  However, after thinking that such privilege to paint this way is a gift from God, he opted to paint again in this style in 2009.  It was one of his ways to commune with nature.  He usually does this on-the-spot painting with friends. Painting below are scenes from Consolacion , Liloan and Oslob , Cebu . Oslob, Cebu While his friends were doing the whale shark, he painted this road in Oslob                                                                           Bagacay Point, Liloan, Cebu, 2009                                 Sometimes beset with boredom,...

Bliss (BooNana) , 15" x 20", Pencil Sketch, 2009 Jose "Kimsoy" Yap Jr . was born on March 7, 1944 in Bindoy , Negros Oriental , Philippines. Graduated from the Cebu Institute of Technology with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Architecture , he then continued and studied painting at the National Academy of Design School of Fine Arts in New York. He also taught at the University of San Carlos and Cebu Academy of Arts.    His art journey started with hardships together with renowned sculptor, painter, novelist and architect Arsenio "Arsing" Abella . In 2017, both had a reunion exhibit, Art Biography at Manila Art Frames - the first gallery they exhibited in 1969. Later, with ease together with eminent Samboan artist  Benji Goyha , whom he bonded owing to a shared vision for art promotion , tourism and mentoring of young Cebuano artists. Both organized art workshops and excursions in Cebu province especially in Goyha's hometown Samboan .   ...

Still Life, Oil Pastel on Paper, 18"x 14", 2009 Fe Madrid's art are in the formative years. Her favorite subjects usually revolve within the household, though she often joined in workshops and painting excursions with the CAI group.    A doting mother of three, her works reflected to ' mother & child ' themes, still-lifes and nude figures. The life of motherhood and family as an intimate source of inspiration probably draws her more to painting and drawing. Basically a self-taught artist, she chooses oil and pastel as her favorite medium.    A glimpse of her works may lead on to feel its surface's crudities, but pastime or passion, it testifies a personal warmth of her own.   Bagacay, Liloan Cebu, 2009  

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 situated in Mandaue City   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. His first art teacher was Cebuano master cubist , Celso Duazo Pepito but he was personally mentored by Jose Kimsoy Yap Jr. , who taught him the notion of "less is more" and "not all has to be seen".   Giving in to the clamor for artistic expression, Cesar  Castillo ...

Maxcel Puentenegra Migallos is a  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 .      Barung-Barung sa Dagat, Watercolor, 2009 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 and 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"....

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 . From 1981-89, he worked as an artist in one of Cebu's leading department store (Robinsons) 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.  Samboan Beach 2009 Goyha, later established Print Ideas , his own business in the field of silkscreen printing , currently based in Lapu-Lapu City , but his membership with the Cebu Artists' Incorporated 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 home...

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 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 Worksho...

Jose "Jobril" 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 .    Although 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.

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.    Parola sa Liloan, Watercolor, 2009 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 ,...

Gabriel Abellana comes from a family of artists. His father Dr. Ramon Alcoseba Abellana , is a sculptor, musician and a dentist. His uncle, Martino Abellana , 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 .    As a lover of nature, Abellana is a plein air landscape artist and makes nature the subject of his art. He stated that nature is God's creation and painting it makes you closer to God; 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 ...