The Anthem Philatelist

In the vibrant ecosystem of Cebuano art, the lineage of mentorship acts as the lifeblood of regional mastery. At the heart of this lineage stands Jose “Kimsoy” Yap Jr. , a towering figure in Philippine art celebrated for his ethereal command over watercolor, expressive landscapes, and meticulous use of line and space. Having studied under the legendary "Dean of Cebuano Painters," Martino Abellana , and later at the National Academy of Design in New York, Yap synthesized classical discipline with a modern sensitivity to light and atmosphere.  He belongs to the Cebu Siete , an elite group of seven Cebu-based master artists who have have found their way into the Manila market and other parts of the globe. The rest include Adeste Deguilmo , Fred Galan , Jun Impas , Mar Vidal , Celso Duazo Pepito and Orly Ypon . However, a master’s true magnitude is measured not only by his own canvases but also by the generations he inspires. Through his dedicated instruction and mentorship, Yap...

In Every Brushstroke, A Memory. In Every Image, A Voice. "Echoes Of Expression" Brings Together A Distinguished Group Of Filipino Artists Whose Diverse Techniques And Visions Reflect The Enduring Resonance Of Artistic Voice Across Style, Aesthetic And Generation. This Exhibition Serves As A Contemplative Dialogue Between Form And Feeling- where Jun Rocha, Vic Bachoco, Jess A. Dinglasa, John A. Dinglasa, Reynan D. Dingal, Benjamin D. Goyha, Jose Kimsoy Yap Jr., And Luther M. Galicano II Present Works That Speak Beyond The Canvas. Each Piece Holds A Personal Story, Yet Together, They Create A Collective Pulse- echoes That Reverberate With Cultural Memory, Visual Poetry, And The Quiet Persistence Of The Filipino Fine Arts. From Realist Precision To Expressive Abstraction, The Exhibit Celebrates A Shared Commitment To Truth In Representation And Depth In Feeling. These Are Works That Reverberate And Resonate -leaving An After-sound In The Heart Of The Viewer to Discover More.

Malapascua, Oil on Canvas, 30" x 60", 2022 Born in Talisay City , Cebu, Jonathan Abellana grew up in an environment naturally charged with creativity.  Despite showing a precocious talent for drawing during his school years—frequently relied upon by teachers to paint murals and stage designs—his path to becoming a professional fine artist was far from direct. As a teenager, Abellana spent six years working on a farm in Manila. Far removed from the formal art world, this grueling period paradoxically anchored his creative resolve; he eventually found solace and financial supplement by returning to charcoal drawing. Upon returning to Cebu, he enrolled in a Graphics and Media Design course at the Cebu Institute of Technology University (CIT-U) . However, by his second year, financial constraints combined with a realization that canvas painting offered a deeper fulfillment led him to withdraw from formal schooling. Undeterred by the lack of an academic degree, Abellana embarked...

    Catch the works of Master Celso Pepito , Fe Madrid Pepito , Leodito Bongo III , Cesar Cabase Castillo , Jose Kimsoy Yap Jr. , Ruel Rosello , Mean Mustard (Amihan), Tina Marie Gandionco , Jovi Garcia Neri , Marlowe Villagonzalo and many more at the CHH Art Exhibit for a cause presented by the Hearts of Gold Foundation Inc. The exhibit will have its opening on Valentines Day February 14 at 1 pm Chong Hua Mandaue upper ground floor. The exhibit runs until February 24. See you there!

  I ask google for the top 10 students of Martino Abellana, who have achieved absolute mastery and carry his legacy forward as pillars of Cebuano and Philippine visual arts.  These are his answers: Romulo Galicano Arguably the most globally renowned protégé and nephew of Abellana. A true master of representational painting, landscape art, and academic portraiture, Galicano has won top accolades from prestigious bodies like the Portrait Sociey of the Philippines. Sofronio Y. Mendoza (SYM) The visionary founder of the influential Dimasalang Art Group . Mendoza took Abellana’s structural discipline and translated it into a groundbreaking movement that bridged traditional representation with early Filipino modernism. Jose "Kimsoy" Yap Jr. Celebrated as one of the country's finest master watercolorists. Yap absorbed Abellana's intensive seasonal training in Cebu before refining his expertise at the prestigious National Academy of Design in New York.   Celso Duazo Pepito ...