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...

  Mark the date-August 25, 2024 at the SM Art Center SM Megamall- A Solo Exhibit of Cebuano Master Cubist Celso Duazo Pepito featuring retrospective and recent works. It is also a pre-launching of his book- Going Above, Over and Beyond which will officially unfold in Cebu City on February 28, 2025. Primarily a painter, Celso Pepito’s (b.1956) practice stems from his love of God, family, and country. Guided by Saint Josemaría Escrivá’s teachings on the sanctification of ordinary work, Pepito believes that man must not limit himself to material production and instead remember Escrivá’s proclamation that “Work is born of love; it is a manifestation of love and is directed towards love."  Hence, Pepito’s devotion to illustrating representations of life through these virtues, along with its struggles and triumphs, are presented in the exhibition Antecedence. The selection offers a glimpse into Pepito’s artistic career, which spans four decades of mostly working with sketches , d...

 FilArts  presents Beyond Borders- Art Speaks the Same Language on July 12 6pm at the ELKS Club, 7th Floor, Corinthian Plaza, Paseo de Roxas, Makati City One of the featured artist is Lloyd B. Lusica . He was born in Guindulman, an old town in the eastern part of Bohol in the Philippines. He attended the University of Bohol College of Architecture and Fine Arts where he majored in Advertising. Dreaming big and aiming high to have a better life, Lloyd moved to Manila in 2012 to fulfill his dream of etching a name in painting and started participating in a number of group art shows. As an abstract figurative painter, Lloyd's paintings are meant to be read and analyzed. He doesn't want the audience to merely admire his art works because of its beauty; rather, he wants the audience to connect with the image that they see, moved by it and explore the boundless possibilities of its interpretation. A Lloyd Lusica trademark is his use of grids in most of his paintings. Those interlock...

"Shifting Shadows: Illuminating the Divine Presence" invites you to embark on a spiritual journey guided by visionary artists touched by the hand of the Divine Creator . Each piece in this captivating exhibit serves as a testament to the blessings of creativity bestowed upon the artists, as they skillfully manipulate light and shadow to convey profound truths and evoke spiritual contemplation. As you traverse the gallery, you'll witness the interplay between light and shadow, where reality transcends into the realm of the divine. Delve into landscapes illuminated by the gentle touch of the Creator's hand, or immerse yourself in the mystical allure of figures enveloped in celestial shadows. "Shifting Shadows" transcends mere aesthetics, inviting you to ponder the deeper mysteries of existence and the transformative power of divine inspiration. Prepare to be mesmerized by the ethereal beauty and spiritual depth of each artwork as you embark on a journey throug...

  Nami Art Gallery presents Ani (Harvest) and Ayono (Fasting), a group exhibit of emerging and established artists from Cebu and Manila.  Nami Art Gallery  serves as a platform where Filipino visual artists can express their narratives and exhibit their skills. Established during the 2020 pandemic by Tin and Gabriel Yap , they are committed to nurturing and overseeing emerging talents while also collaborating with established artists. Their branches are located in Mandaluyong City and Pasig City , Philippines.

 The National Women’s Month Celebration has its roots in the recognition of International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8th, a historical event stemming from the organizing efforts of women in the early 20th Century. Between 1909 and 1911, working women in the United States, united under  the National Women’s Trade Union League and other groups, protested against low wages, lack of protective legislation, and harsh working conditions. These demonstrations were a response to the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in March 1911 in New York City, claiming the lives of over 140 working girls, primarily Italian and Jewish immigrants. The subsequent observances of International Women’s Day invoked the appalling working conditions and unfair labor practices leading up to the disaster. The 2024 National Women’s Month Celebration aims to capitalize on the recurring theme “WE for gender equality and inclusive society,” introduced in 2023. This theme, launched to renew commitment to...

Leap to the Tops, this extra day of the Leap Year! Born in Cebu City, Philippines in a community of artists, Filipino figurative painter Romel de la Torre's artistic interest started at a very young age. Romel and his family migrated to the United States where he began going to museums studying and learning on his own; works of famous artists like Sargent, Sorolla, Fechin, Mucha, and the American Impressionists. The exposure to these masters' paintings laid a strong foundation to his belief of what great art is.  He attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago, where he was awarded the President's Foundation Award and the Union League Scholarship Award. After graduating with a fine arts concentration, Romel continued to paint in the Chicago area and joined The Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Arts, where he began studying with nationally renowned artist Richard Schmid and painting with other painters. It was a turning point of his creative and artistic career.  The art...