The Anthem Philatelist

  The Moth and the Lamp- Dr. Jose Rizal Memoirs,                             22"x 29", Watercolor In the contemporary art landscape, an artist's value is often measured by their willingness to push beyond conventional frameworks. Filipino multi-disciplinary artist Je An “Govinda” Marquesto Jean embodies this ethos, leveraging unexpected materials to bridge the gap between meticulous craftsmanship and profound social commentary. Primarily recognized for his intricate thread, nails and wire art, Marquesto has transcended traditional canvas boundaries to construct a visual language defined by tension, texture, and resilience. His career reflects the trajectory of a self-taught creator whose devotion to innovation has transformed ordinary materials into globally recognized masterpieces. A Self-Taught Multi-Disciplinary Foundation Marquesto's creative roots began far from elite art institutions. He entered the ...

    My maternal grandparents were from Mainit , Alipao, Alegria, Surigao del Norte .  In the 1930’s, the families of Odtojan , Baluran , Labaso , Senturias , Rubilla and Seroy emerged simultaneously and inhabited the place. Because they were bound by faith and the common vision for a better tomorrow, these families started to cultivate the area of Candiis that had a total land area of not more than 300 hectares.  The first Teniente del Barrio was Alvaro Odtojan Senturias Sr.  who served until the end of the World War II. One of the succeeding Teniente del Barrio was my late aunt Pacensia "Pacing" Odtojan Beniga (Lesoy). Before the war , my grandfather Eugenio Anino Beniga (son of Pantaleon Beniga), a surveyor from Sevilla, Bohol went to Surigao , met and married a pious local beauty, Felina Caerlang Odtojan . They were simple rice farmers who owned and tilled 25 hectares of land in that area.  During my childhood days in the 70's, my fond memor...