I am a self-taught artist born in the little town of San Jose, in the province of Batangas, on May 27, 1980. I'm the eldest of four brothers. My parents and siblings were living as I grow up, on a little cozy house my parents got through the housing project of the late Philippine President, Ferdinand Marcos' wife, Imelda, called, "Bliss Housing." I really miss the nature there; back then when the world seems so young and the air seems so fresh.
My mother told me I started drawing figures when I was six. I can't remember. But somehow I knew that since that since that day I grew up stirring a different kind of passion deep within me. A strong passion in art that is sometimes hard to understand by the ordinary outside world. At times it was painful, at others joyful. I also remember I was always astounded by the beautiful works of art or clips I see on papers, postcards, and magazines created by some of the established artists at the time. I craved. But somehow I learned how to motivate myself. So, I bought some watercolor and taught myself how to paint. That was the start. Little by little I came to understand what color is and how it becomes a vital element in composition in painting. The attempt was quite complicated and time consuming; but the experience was an excellent education in color and truly invaluable.
In 1991 my family moved to Calamba City, Laguna, the birthplace of the Philippine National hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. And about three years after my father took me to one of his friend named Victor, who is one of the fine artists in the city. That was a long time ago but what I've learned from this man was priceless indeed; that now, every time I look back, I can see how much those early times, the knowledge that I have acquired, have affected everything that followed. From there on I've learned how to value work, constantly improve and be mature in this field I'm into.
In the mid 90's I've also involved myself in songwriting, short story writing, poetry and many other forms of creative art. This was also the time where I've decided to step up and explore more new things from this very complex world of art, exploring other media's like charcoal, ink, graphite, pastel, acrylic and oil. When I first switched to oil it was a frustration. But I'm not a quitter, and when I learned how to handle the paint with ease I started to love every part of it, that every time I paint using this very wonderful medium, I feel like I was creating a new window to a new dimension; or a window to a new world of bliss and freedom.
I still don't know everything yet; there are still so many things that I need to learn in order to enhance my full potential. I believe that's the way an effective learning goes; it's like a full circle that never ends. For art is really observation. And while the world still continue to go around an artist would still continue to observe and learn from all kinds of perception, thoughts and feelings.
Take a pencil, a pen, paintbrush clay or camera or any tool that make a mark or leaves an impression. Take your time, because for me it would only end when we all reached the end of the line. That principle always brings me to the present—here in the City of Calamba and still learning how to paint.
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