The Anthem Philatelist

Pedro D. Villadolid, Waterfalls, 1979, Oil on Masonite, 24"x42",  Private  Collection   Pedro D. Villadolid (6 October 1916- 7 August 1980) loved nature. He was a self taught painter who  worked with actual subjects but added elements from his fertile and wild imagination. In this painting we see lush autumn tree colors not seen in our country and two deers with long antlers, non-existent in Bantayan island ,  Cebu . He loved birds in flock-of-seven and here, we see them perched on a branch (right tree), on a rock (beside middle tree) and in flight (left tree).  This flock-of-seven bird pattern can also be seen in his 1953 Farm scene , 1976 Forest , and in this painting. His trees appear crooked and asymmetrical, the rock formations unrealistic.  "He paints with apparent disregard for proportion or natural coloration.  His subjects architecture were free, loose with bright gay colored patterns", writes Manuel Duldulao in his famous 198...

  Celso Duazo Pepito MAKING HOLY: THE FAMILY Bronze 60"×106" 2021 The realization of this project is a combination of love, passion, and determination. But it was however, the spirit of selflessness of many individuals who contributed their time, money and efforts,  to make this piece a reality. "We all know that Art is not truth. Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth, at least, the truth that is given to us to understand."  This is how Pablo Picasso has perceived the idea behind his art. And his perception is in line with my aspirations to creating art that is not an image of reality,  but a fraction of it, thereby motivating my viewers to think, understand and do something to make a change. My role, as an artist is not to replicate God's creation, but somehow create images that will inspire individuals to discover their significance in building a well meaning society. This project was hatched when Fr. Gerry Quejada has told me of coming up with a sculp...

                      "Malayo Man Malapit Din"            The Annual Year-end Art Exhibit in virtual platform. For details Go and visit Pinta .co                           Participating Artists:                Luis Caraos            -- New York City                Jowell Gaela .         -- Lucban Quezon                Ariel Caratao           -- Lapu-Lapu City    ...

Catch Unbox: Art Cebu Art season continues this Dec. 20 with the opening of Unbox: Art Cebu Exhibit at the Ayala Mall Central Block (in IT Park, Lahug, Cebu City). Organized by the Philippine Art and Unbox Cebu, the group show features the artworks of over 40 local artists. For more details, click the link below. Unbox Cebu Curated by CAI's JR Dinglasa

Artists couple, Celso Duazo Pepito and Fe Madrid Pepito will be the Cebuano exhibitors of Panagyaman- the First Ilocos ArtFest happening on December 2, 2022 at Arte Luna , Paoay , Ilocos Norte .  Aside from paintings, the festival will also feature sculptures, fashion, music and the culinary arts. Enjoy and appreciate your heritage! Better yet, own it.     

I might not have the luxury of time to know him deeper, but the many possibilities of meeting him in person,  I can say that I have a  positive reading of this artist. We have had the opportunity to be together in many exhibits in Manila, but it was our participation in Langkawi Art Biennale and Perak Pior Art Trail that i have known him better. More than enjoying his jokes, I truly admire his professionalism in relation to his artistry ( by Celso D. Pepito) A protegee of the late Malang Santos , ArtPortalCebu is proud to feature Franklin Caña as one of our exhibitors for the incoming Visayas Art Fair 2022. Have a glimpse of his two entries for the Art Fair. FRANKLIN CAÑA VALENCIA In sports, dance, music and art, Filipinos are known to be gifted in these fields. And as they showcase their talents with much sincerity, it is not farfetch that their competitiveness will often bore them awards and recognition. In the field of sports, Manny Pacquiao attained worldwide fame as he...

How do you show appreciation for your art and culture ? By owning it- it is a piece of your heritage- a future relic. It does not have to be very beautiful or costly. But if it "speaks" to you, acquire it, keep it (because you like looking at it) and your descendants will thank you for it! It might even be in a museum in Cebu  in the year 2122. OGK!   Go and visit the Visayas Art Fair.   The Visayas Art Fair was a historical undertaking in 2021 with the banner, Connecting The Islands Through Art, initiated by the National Commission for Culture and Arts, together with the Cebu Design Week Inc., Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas , Sacred Heart School for Boys Batch 1985 Foundation , and the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation to unite the artistry of the three regions (Regions 6, 7 & 8) in the Visayas.     Its aim was to present to the world the unique identity of the Visayan arts and culture. Now on its second year, the event wi...

ArtPortalCebu understands that there is never one born as an artist, as one's artistry is nurtured with much dedication and determination before it reaches  recognition. Thus, for the incoming Visayas Art Fair , ArtPortalCebu is proud to showcase the works of  an up and  coming artist ... ZAPPHIRE BENEDIKT JAYME As one of its invited exhibitors. The proliferation of social media has given easy access to anyone who wishes to make research in any subject that tickles one's personal interests.  From politics, economics, cooking, dancing, or even music, almost everything is just a click away, and then the opportunity to learn can be attained without much hassle - almost for free. One subject of interest that can be considered as an "in thing" in this internet age is the art of painting. With the help of Google , YouTube or Facebook , anybody has access to a treasure trove of information about renaissance art, impressionism, cubism, expressionism, including even the con...

ArtPortalCebu Featured Artist for the Visayas Art Fair 2022 By Celso Duazo Pepito Whenever we meet , talk on the phone or chat via FB, in our conversations about art, about politics or other things, this artist always made our talks more meaningful and exciting. A creative individual of immense talent. I consider him of my favorite painters because I admire not only his style but also his wit and deep thinking. Introducing a great freind... ADESTE DEGUILMO So humble yet oozing with so much talent, Adeste had shown interest in painting since childhood. This gift for art brought him to the halls of University of the Philippines Cebu where he finished a degree in Fine Arts. After graduation, he worked for an advertising company in Manila for a few years and when he returned to Cebu, he decided to paint full-time. Being one of the most well respected and multi awarded Cebuano artists, he spent a few years as an art teacher at the Department of Fine Arts at the University of San Carlos w...

  Vintage Piece 2, Oil on Canvas 2005   Antonio Vidal's artistic journey began at an early age.  He has shown and discovered his penchant for art even before entering his elementary education.  Born and raised in Puerto Princesa, Cebu , he used to go to his mother to church and got fascinated with the Cherubim , decorating the house of God.  His exposure to religious processions , especially during fiesta celebration, has added up to his intention to draw angels and other spiritually-enriching images.  As he continually joins his mother attending church activities, his strong interest in ecclesiastical arts gradually manifested. With much encouragement and support from his father, Tony decided to enroll in an art workshop in Gallery 90 in Cebu .  With positive guidance and motivation from his mentors, he learned the basic of doing portraiture in black and white providing comfort and ease in this medium.  This led him enrolling at the UP Cebu F...

    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...

Pedro D. Villadolid , Forest, 1976, Oil on masonite 36" x 60", Avanzado family collection At 3x5 feet, this 1976 painting by little known painter from Suba,   Bantayan Island , Cebu , Pedro Villadolid  is the biggest known work of the artist to date.  I grew up looking at this painting everyday. This commissioned landscape art piece adorned our main living room,  another beautiful seascape version hung in my parents bedroom, a third piece - a still life - could be found in our dining room, and a fourth - a flower in a vase in front of the bar. Not much is known about this Cebuano painter who had the exceptional God-given talent for the arts but only started painting later in life.  His son Jose "Pepe" Villadolid , also a notable painter in Cebu recalls, "he didn't start painting seriously until my younger brother Balsicas got sick".  Balsicas was the most talented among the Villadolid painters that included my uncle Diosdado "Diovil" , my f...

JOSEPH JOEL CRISTOBAL is a nonconformist artist who started as a professional nomadic music aficionado and landed as a free spirited creative painter.  His love for music brought him to various places away from home, honed his artistic inclinations in beats and tempos, that made the world hear his silence in sweet tones and rhythms.   As he journeyed throughout his own self-discovery, he was fortunate enough to have met a mentor who set his intrinsic aptitude in sketching into motion. Since then, and by virtue of  persistence, unwavering self-belief and dedication, he pursued to paint in the impressionist manner and eventually developed his own style in Cubism. As he metamorphosed from a music artist to a thriving visual artist, his works were viewed and bought through scads of group and solo art exhibits he joined since 1998.   As his way of giving back to society, he gives art workshops to children in his hometown, Tanay, and in some other places in the Philippin...