Kapampangan master painter wows Manila students

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Master portrait artist Rafael Maniago wowed dozens of students of the Art Discovery and Learning Foundation Inc. during a weekend showcase of artistic skills at Tropical hut in Quezon City.

The artist exhibition was organized by fellow artist Fernando Sena which also featured Master landscape artist Delfin Garcia. The event aimed at giving students of the foundation who come mostly from schools and universities in Manila a chance to learn skills from one of the top portrait artists today.

Maniago said that he was thrilled to be with the group who was also attended by other artists and enthusiasts. He said that at his age of 60 something, he hopes to inspire the next generation of artists from among the younger generation of painting enthusiasts.

“We need to share our skills to the next generation of artists. Much more than the skills and knowledge of the craft, they also need some sort of inspiration to ignite in them that inner fire for their craft,” Maniago said.

Maniago conducted painting and sketching demonstrations all the while encouraging young artists to follow their dreams and continue in learning through art. He said that his path towards art has gone a long way since he started in his youth.

Maniago attended the University of the East in Manila, where he studied Fine Arts and Commercial Advertisement. For 20 years he operated his own gallery in the Philippines and in 1989 he decided to come to the United States.

His passion for learning continued as he studied at the Pasadena Art Center. He has painted over 1000 portraits, of which many were of the Philippine leaders of Commerce, Industry and Politics. For years he has been conducting workshops throughout Southern California.

Maniago who just returned from California for a summer vacation here is also the chief painter of most of the portraits of the governors of Pampanga and past and current presidents of Holy Angel University. His works are most sought after by collectors and have graced the homes of the rich and famous.

Aside from painting, Maniago is also a Kapampangan poet and an art critic for Kapampangan art. He works closely with Kapampangan artists here for the promotion of local arts and crafts.

For comments, suggestions, violent reactions, invites, indignant rebuttals and what-have-you email: ianocampoflora@yahoo.com (09173435197).