Monday, March 03, 2008 'Master painter' visits home province By Ian Ocampo Flora
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Art lovers, artists and critics gathered recently at Holy Angel University (HAU) in Angeles City to witness a rare chance to see an outstanding painter do his craft live.
Maestro Rafael "Paeng" Maniago, visited his home province after staying abroad to practice his craft. He visited HAU for a demo and talk on paint art. The event was attended by local artists and art lovers who have been captivated by Tatang Paeng's works.
After coming home from the US, Maniago will be spending a two-week vacation in Barangay Sindalan in the City of San Fernando.
Maniago is a 65-year-old painter who became a teacher to Victor Ramos -- the painter of the Betis Ceiling during the 1970s. This same ceiling painting is one of the many art attractions inside the Betis Church in Guagua. Victor Ramos was 20 years older than him at that time.
According to award-winning photographer Ruston Banal, Maniago was also the painter of the 15 portrait paintings of the past governors of Pampanga, which can be seen at the Provincial Capitol. The portraits were the subjects of local commentaries for having been reportedly stashed away.
In a recent report of Sun.Star, the portraits were said to be under restorations according to Provincial Administrator Vivian Dabu.
Maniago has been drawing since childhood. He 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. He is a member of Portrait Society of America, American Society of Portrait Artists, California Art Club, and Laguna Plain Air Painter Association.
