Artists’ Haven
Angono is home to many of the country’s great artists
By Chi-chi Luciano

Angono, Rizal is a quiet little town an hour away from Manila. It seems like an ordinary town with a plaza and busy market, but nothing is ordinary about Angono. It is home to many of the country’s finest artists. Maybe it’s the rugged and hilly landscapes or sleepy fishing villages that inspired these painters. But why is Marikina popular for shoes and Bulacan for sweets? Maybe it’s just the way it is. It seemed that when God was showering artistic talent in the country, a lot of it went to the artists of Angono.

For some reason, most artists are generally shy and quiet. I had the grandest time looking at paintings and sculptures, but part of my Angono experience was talking to the artists themselves. The Angono artists, influenced by National Artist Botong Francisco, relied on nature and typical Angono Village scenes as their inspiration. I asked whether they somehow feel cut off from reality as an artist. They explained that in painting, you will feel that you are transported to another world and time stops, all that exists is you and the painting. So I tried to do water color and pastels for the first time and although my paintings unintentionally looked more like a Picasso, the sense of peace derived from the experience was exhilarating.

TALENT RUNS IN THE FAMILY: Nemiranda children’s works (clockwise) - Don’s “A Bug’s Life;” Katrina’s “Exhale;” Zarah’s “Fruits in the Basket;” Paolo’s “Mother and Children” and Chesca’s “Still Life;”

Nemiranda Arthouse and Museum
Owner and President Nemencio R. Miranda, Jr.’s exquisite works pervade the museum, showcasing his style known as “imaginative figurism.” This style has won him awards and distinctions from local and international critics. Most of his works depict traditional Philippine life – lively fiestas, sweat-filled harvests, quaint fishing villages, and patriotic revolutionaries, all in soft lines and the most vibrant colors. Each painting is full of people and life, bustling with activity.

Talent and love for art must be in their blood because the whole family got into the painting scene, each having their particular interests and themes. Nemi’s eldest, Katrina, 27, focuses on water and underwater images while Zarah, 25, prefers still-life. Paolo’s, 24, impressionist style is most similar to his father’s although with contemporary themes. Don,19, is interested in portraits and capturing people’s expressions, while the youngest Chesca, 13, is into abstract art.

Orville Tiamson’s cubist style is similar to the carved linear drawings of Manansala, with a modern twist

Tiamson Art Gallery
Orville Tiamson’s journey began with an ASEAN scholarship grant in 1987, later collaborating with the Manila Art Circle of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Swinging from music to painting, Orville tried to capture both genres but in 1992, he realized that he needed to focus more on his painting. His father, Dominador Tiamson was also a painter, only more traditional. The artist’s cubist style is very striking, similar to the carved linear drawings of Manansala, with a modern twist. Orville explored Philippine culture, depicting scenes such as the market place and typical barrio life, but using modern cubist style.

Presently, Orville is interested in painting children and thanks to recent dive trip, underwater seascapes. The picture below shows the artist restoring his work called “Medical Mission” which was damaged by a patron, Wyatt-Suaco Laboratories, when the sprinklers came on during a fire in 1994.

Blanco Family Museum
The museum displays the incredibly life-like paintings of the most famous family of painters in the country. Headed by renowned artist Jose “Pitok” V. Blanco, all seven children employ their father’s painting style. Breaking away from the Botong Francisco tradition, the Blanco family paintings are very natural or closer to reality. Compared to the vibrant colors of the Botong-inspired paintings, the Blancos often use brown tones to effect a more somber depiction of reality. It is also interesting to note that Pitok Blanco’s wife and children are often the subject of his works, whether they are fleeing an Angono fire, are in deep prayer, or as infant angels surrounding Christ. Paintings portraying rural life outdoors are more colorful, each done with painstaking detail.

Balaw-balaw Restaurant and Museum
Balaw-Balaw is actually a sauce native to Angono, made of fermented shrimps, gruel, and red rice. The founder, Perdigon Vocalan, who passed away in 2001, wanted to promote the culture of Angono by opening up a specialty restaurant serving native and exotic dishes. Have you ever tried eating snake or bayawak? For the brave souls like me, it is actually an interesting dish that tastes like chicken with the consistency of fish. Aside from these not-so-common dishes, Balaw also offers the widest selection of Filipino dishes I have seen from the classic Sinigang to the Bicolano Gata to the Tagalog Minaluto.

Wander around the museum and you will be amazed at the intricate and detail-oriented architectural designs. Colorful windows, giant wooden doors, a sunken dining room, and a ceiling with a portrait of an Igorot are some features of the museum. The late Perdigon’s impressive works are displayed. Influenced by the partially abstracted style of national artist Botong Francisco, his earlier works depict Angono folkways. These paintings used earth tones and the colors of nature. Mr. Vocalan’s paintings also had a very mystical appeal, portraying nymphs, mermaids, shamans and albularios, characters common to Angono legends.

I don’t pretend to be knowledgeable about the intricacies of the art world, but I do like seeing new things. And for anybody whose interest is just as diverse as mine, Angono will provide a welcome contrast.

Buildings with their architectural marvels are beautiful. But if you want to soak in a little more culture, get away from the city and trek over to Angono, Rizal.

For more information, log on to: www.angono.com