1) Artist:Solomon Saprid

Sculpture:Tikbalang

Colonizers have come and gone to our land and inputted different traditions in our very rich culture. There's this one man who sought to preserve our culture through his paintings and sculptures and he is none other than Solomon Saprid. He gave the

public pictures of Philippine folklore characters that made the Filipinos realized that these imaginary beings are not just a mere myth, rather it is more of a reality. He
sculpted Tikbalang, a titanic creature with a horse-like head but has a human-like body. He also sculpted Amihan, the wind goddess. After sometime, these images had been so engraved in the publics mind that the public began to think that these creatures could be anywhere. He also sculpted t he Gomburza along Intramuros that made the public remember the things that the 3 priests have done for our country. He didnt just paint or sculpt art that only talked about the Filipino myths, but he also made pictures that touched our culture. He paint ed Mag-ina that exemplified the joys of parenthood. He was able to pull back the Filipinos to their roots and made them understand their culture and beginnings. Indeed, he is an artist who enriched the rich culture of a society. Bernice M. Cid

2) Artist:Ang Kiuko

When a painter paints, his emotions are shown through the painted canvas. It shows the different realities about life that move its audience. One person was able to do this through his paintings, and he is the legendary Ang Kiuko. His early paintings were full of different emotions that influenced the viewers feelings. His audience could easily understand the message of his paintings because he used passion. He drew the Crucifixion of Christ that exhibited hopelessness and depression. His favorite subjects for his paintings were angst and anger that are shown in his paintings called Payaso and Ina at Anak. His paintings were full of irony and questions. After some years, he tried to re-create his style in art by painting gleeful pictures of Mother Nature instead of painting pictures of quarreling crowds. He was able to input different perspectives of life in a small blank canvas. Indeed, he made a very remarkable impact in our society. He re-created his art and thus, he has been able to influence

the publics views about life.

Bernice M. Ci

Artist:Napoleon V. Abueva

The Philippines is very fortunate for having the multi awarded national artist, Napoleon V. Abueva, as its father of modern Philippine sculpture.Abueva is the

pioneer in modern sculptures because he was the first artist who had creatively and successfully moved out of the classic style to create his own abstract experimental modern art pieces and paved the way for other young aspirants to follow his lead. He
was the only sculptor who is capable on working on all kinds of material in several styles from representational to abstract. There is not one drop of classical style

in all if his masterpieces. Abueva has long been exposed in utilizing almost all kinds of materials. These materials include wood, adobe, metal, stainless steel, cement, marble, bronze, iron, alabaster, coral, brass, molave, acacia, langka wood, ipil, kamagong, palm wood and bamboo. One of his most famous works is his wooden sculpture entitled Allegorical Harpoon which is currently housed in the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Also among his various works is the very familiar, Sunburst, which is a twelve meter sculpture made up of twenty one rays of the sun and thirty three spears in copper, bronze and stainless steel that decorates the ceiling of the Manila Peninsula Manila. What sets him apart from other artists is that he has the talent to unify different materials and experiment with them. He is a very innovative artist who explores the unknown, but also probes the existing. According to Abueva, an Abueva sculpture is known for its simplicity with the maximum expression of art. As the leading artist in contemporary Philippine sculpture, Abueva has set a new standard that other artists have failed to copy.

6)

Artist:Victorio Edades

Victorio Edades, Father of Modern Philippine Painting, created works which were dark in color and gave pictures of Filipino masses as theme. One of his great works
depicting Filipino masses is The Builders, the most controversial painting. It is dark in color and made of heavy texture which pictures men working in a quarry. Moreover, his works were very different from Amorsolos bright, sunny, cheerful hues yet his creativity in art made way for mural and modern paintings to be known in the Philippines. He does not only establish modern paintings into the Philippines but also link this modernism to the issue of national identity. Some of his masterpieces were The Artist and the Model, Portrait of the Professor, Japanese Girl, Mother and Daughter, The Wrestlers, Poinsettia Girl, The Sketch. By: Joyce Santos Sources: Pamana: The Jorge B. Vargas Art Collection Author: Santiago Albano Pilar

7) Artist: Diosdado Lorenzo

Diosdado Lorenzo is one of the most famous modernist painters in the Philippines. He is one of the pioneers who introduced the modern 20th century form of art which is stronger and more appealing to the eyes than those of the traditional paintings made by Fernando Amorsolo. To form the modernist approach in paintings, Lorenzo destroyed the old perspective of traditional paintings to make way for the new styles in painting. Lorenzos obsession with the countrys landscape and people enabled him to try different forms of paintings such as painting with lights, Chinese arts, watercolors, etc. He tried these kinds of paintings only to find out that his heart was not really into it. After which, he explored Filipino Still Life using objects such as fruits and vegetables as its model. He prefers using watercolors than oil because he considers watercolor art to be more memorable. His watercolored still life is considered to be one of the best in the country. The modernism found in his works formed a new basis for the reassessment of Philippine paintings.

Artist: Vicente Rivera

Vicente Rivera, a master in Philippine paintings, is commonly underrated due to the rarity of his works. During his early years in education, he received a silver medal after taking two head studies. He also received various nominations and awards in the field of painting. Unknown to everyone, he is one of the founders of U.P. School of Fine Arts. His famous work, Supplication, depicts a picture of a woman kneeling down on the nailed feet of Jesus on the cross. The painting has a dramatic background to clearly express the desperate state of the woman. It is a famous example of a stylish and an organized approach in Philippine paintings. Riveras organization in paintings made it more appealing to the subject, thus, inspiring painters to put more passion in their painting rather than painting to make names for themselves.

Artist: Guillermo Tolentino

Guillermo E. Tolentino is a renowned artist known for transforming hopes and aspirations of freedom into art. One of his famous creations is the Oblation, which can be found at the lobby of College of Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines. The Oblation, famous landmark in the University of the Philippines, has become a symbol of academic freedom. It is a figure of a nude man with arms outstretched and looking far beyond the horizon. The original Oblation is made of concrete and measures three and a half meters symbolizing the three and a half years of Spanish rule in the Philippines. The stones on which it stands represent the many islands in the country. In addition, Guillermo Tolentino included clusters of katakataka found at the foot of the figure, which symbolize the heroism of the Filipino people. The Oblation is good representation of how one has a thirst for freedom and an eagerness to offer his whole self for the country. He transformed the countrys aspiration and hope for a freer country into this amazing sculpture. Another famous sculpture of Guillermo Tolentino is the Bonifacio Monument located in Caloocan City. The monument commemorates the proletarian hero, Andres Bonifacio and his revolutionary group called Katipunan first encounter with the Spanish soldiers on August 3, 1896. The Bonifacio Monument is an enduring symbol of the Filipinos cry for freedom. In these two masterpieces, Guillermo Tolentino successfully portrays what Filiipinos yearn for and what they want to achieve during the time of the Spaniards. Because of this, he is considered one of the most known national artists in the Philippines.

Cesar Legaspi

Biography

Cesar Legaspi (1917-1994) is a Filipino National Artist awardee in painting. He was also an art director prior to going full-time in his visual art practice in the 1960s. His early (1940s-1960s) works, alongside those of peer, Hernando Ocampo are described as depictions of anguish and dehumanization of beggars and laborers in the city. These include Man and Woman (alternatively known as Beggars) and Gadgets'. Primarily because of this early period, critics have further cited Legaspi's having "reconstituted" in his paintings "cubism's unfeeling, geometric ordering of figures into a social expressionism rendered by interacting forms filled with rhythmic movement".

Anastacio Caedo

was born in Batangas, Batangas 1907 died 1990. (Classical sculpture and statuary, monuments) Entered UP School of Fine Arts, 1925 while taking high school at the Manila University. Won all the major awards in the early school competitions. Assisted his professor, sculptor Guillermo Tolentino, then fresh from studies in Italy, in most of Tolentinos landmark commissions, like the UP Oblation; the Bonif acio Monument in Caloocan; the lifesize of figure of Pres Ramon Magsaysay at the GSIS lobby in Arroceros; the Rizal Monument in the front of the Rizal Provicial Capitol; the Shaw Monument at Shaw Blvd, Mandaluyong; and all the dancing figures at the Malacanang Palace Reception and Music Hall. After WW II, established himself as a major sculptor. Record commissions from the Society of Jesus, starting with 14-ft statue of St. Thomas. More for the Ateneo College of Law in Padre Faura, and eight other major works. In 1951, also joined the faculty of the UP School of Fine Arts, serving the school for 20 years. Produced representational sculpture, mainly monuments of national heros and successful Filipino politicians, businessmen, and educators, ranging from full figures to busts. Idealized the appearance of his subjects, but injected vitality and movement into his works. Most popular of his works are the seven life-size figures of Gen Douglas McArthur and company at PoloRed Beach, Leyte; the Benigno Aquino monument at the corner of Ayala and Paseo de Roxas, 1986; and the yearly trophies of Film Academy of the Phil. From 1925-29, accumulated eight certificates of recognition and six medal. Won the Philippine National Heroes Day competition gold medal in 1920. His and Padre Jose Burgos> won top awards in 1931 and 1932. Also won 2nd prize in the sculpture competition of the AAP, 1952, [HAAP-SP]

Antonio 'Jun' Afable

Art Statement
I held on to my artworks because they reflect my story, the places and events that have defined my life and times in art. My drawings, sketches, paintings, collages and sculptures, some old and some minted just a few years ago were my treasures. I believe in art metamorphosis which took me into the present through uncommon paths. I flourished for sometime in the traditional styles. My various jobs as a Designer in Fashion Accessory, Industrial, Graphics and other associated fields for a local Japanese firm soon influenced my direction towards a new dimension and artform in Contemporary or Modern Art.

Biography
Graduated Fine Arts from Manilas University of Santo Tomas in 1981. My passion for art got me actively involved with numerous art exhibitions and groups in the Philippines and in Italy. I was a member in the Art Association of the Philippines, Degli Artisti in Rome, Pintor Kulapol of Tuy, Batangas, and Manila Artists Group. My masterful skill and distinctive style have not gone unnoticed and had been honored with numerous awards, among them the Second Prize in On the Spot Painting Contest in Manilas City Gallery in 1979, and a Bronze Medal from Romes 7th Concorzo Di Pittura Estemporanea in 1985. Three years after coming to Toronto in 2000, I was warmly accepted into the august circle of the Philippine Artist Group in Canada. Today I continue to earn recognition for Filipino artists by participating in local Canadian juried shows and winning awards. With my creative versatility in both the traditional and modern styles of art I had also become a pillar of the PAG, becoming its Treasurer while contributing fresh blood and vision to the groups continuing saga of promoting Philippine art to a Canadian audience.

Calixto Quiachon

Art Statement
There is so many things around us to see the beauty of nature. No matter how many times you look at something, it always different, the moods, the colors and so much things that is always changing. My recent paintings are impressions from nature. My artistic of rare perception.

Biography
His love of art started from quite an early age. In high school, he already started to paint in oils and watercolors and did charcoal illustrations. Determined to be an artist, Toots majored in advertising at the College of Fine Arts, University of Santo Tomas while he worked as a part time artist. After graduating, he became a graphic artist in various firms Manila. Encouraged to work abroad he went to Bahrain, Dubai and Lebanon to work as a visualizer, graphic designer and art director. While working abroad he continued to paint and whenever opportunity allowed. He joined various art groups and participated in numerous art shows. In 1996, he migrated to Canada with his family and while working as a graphic designer, he joined with Philippine Artists Group of Canada. His competence and dedication to the group was recognized by his peers when he was elected as President in 2004. His works are now in private collections in the Philippines, the Middle East, USA and Canada.

Cobie Cruz

Art Statement
My works are visual depictions of movement resembling a flow of water. From my rain series, having downward strokes, it has evolved into bolder and free-willing brush strokes. I start by covering the canvas with modeling paste and using my palette knife I scrape it in free-flowing movement creating variety of shapes and forms. It is in this stage where I edit or cut-off some unwanted shapes and add other interesting materials available. Once dried, I paint it over with acrylic paint. The result is a vividly hued and highly textured abstraction with those shapes and forms one automatically associates with a rivulet. The sense of drama from my color combinations, heightened by a luxuriance of expressionist touches such as dribbles and drippings of pigment, transparencies of radiant light. Despite a subject that lends itself to some rowdy execution (splashes and drippings), these are highly disciplined works, with tempered lyricism and surprising quietude.

Biography
BORN: Manila , Philippines , 1961 EDUCATION: Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts Major in Advertising University of Santo Tomas , Manila Philippines SOLO EXHIBITIONS: Rainscape, Finale Art Gallery , Phil. October, 2005 Precipitation (Purple Series) West Gallery, Phil. July, 2005 GROUP EXHIBITIONS: Creations and Expression Cedar Ridge Stusio Gallery, Toronto June 17, 2007 Texture in Style Momentous Arts Gallery , Singapore July 6, 2007 The Saturday Group Show, Art Center Mega Mall, Phil. July 15, 2006 Vibrations, Galerie Astra, Phil. March, 2006

DunLuna

Art Statement
The last 3 remaining months of 2007 was very interesting to me. I was Introduce to a group to help strengthen my relationship and faith to God. At this time, I was also contemplating on changing my subject matter in painting from compositional landscape to figurative. For some unknown reason, my meditation led me to a very good subject "The Angels". Like my feelings in my art which is as pure as white, I imagine Angels being pure as white, perfect as the mountains and clouds, beautiful as the trees and streams. Although I have not seen one, my mind is full of ideas about them. I think of Angels as guardian and protector of Gods creation. At first my Angels were more like figurines molded like sculpture but as I form my art composition, I imagined an Angel holding in his/her hands the earth as he/she watches the continuing life in the ocean, the trees on the valleys and human existence. I go through books, look at figurines and go to churches, my favorite place to be, to get inspiration on what my Angels would look like. The color white dominates the whole canvas, very little of the primary colors were applied on the Angels wings and clothes. I like the way the earth floats and glows as if it has a sprayed effect. The whole painting is form in a modern and contemporary style. There are more Angels in my mind, in my heart and in my hands to create.

Biography
Antonio H Luna (who signs his artworks as Dunluna) has exhibited his paintings with other fellow artist during the last 10 years. He held a one man show in the Philippines on February, 2007 and March, 2007. Dunluna is a descendant of the famous 19th century Filipino artist Juan Luna. He was born in the province of Antique, Philippines and finished his Bachelor of Fine Arts, major in painting at University of Santo Tomas in 1970. While studying, he won several awards in many student art competitions from 1965 to 1970. He opened his first one man show in 1973. Dunluna immigrated to Canada in 1974 and worked as graphic/typeface designer and hand lettering artist from 1975 to 1991 under Les Usherwood, the designer of the Caxton Family Typeface. In 1984, his typeface design Hedalgo won 1st Prize, Studio Magazine Typeface Design Contest Serif Category. He was a full time painter ever since. As an appreciator of visual art, Dunluna constantly researches new and exciting ways to express his feelings on the canvas. Although his preference is compositional landscape, he does not settle for one type of subject. Presently he holds the position of President of the Philippine Artists Group of Canada. He is one of the most actively concerned & committed member of the group. Recently, he joined a 3 man show on February 10, 2008 with his former UST classmate, Narciso Santiago and Mario Santiago, former UST Art Professor held in Bulacan, Philiipines.

Frank Tonido

Art Statement
"Many
of life's failure are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave Edison up".......Thomas

To view Frank's works and his winning entry, visit www.portraitsocietyofcanada.com, click on Members Gallery and Past Conferences.

Biography
He 200820072007200720062005200520052004Art 20032003200220022001200120001999199719961995199119901975had participated in several Exhibitions: Kulay balikbayan, Ayala Museum, Makati city, Philippines Creations Expressions, Cedar Gallery, Scarboro, Ontario Mississauga Art Show and Sale, Port Credit Library, Mississauga, Ontario Philippine Independence, Westin Hotel, Ottawa, Ontario PAG Revisited, Markham Civic Center, Markham, Ontario Portrait Society of Canada Workshop, Arts and Letters Club, Toronto, Ontario Visual Arts Mississauga Fine Arts Show and Sale, Mississauga, Ontario After Art Space, Neilson Park Creative Park, Etobicoke, Ontario International Portrait Competition and Art Conference, Jackman Hall, Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Canada Pagdiriwang Ika-15, Scarboro Civic Center, Scarboro, Ontario Winter Show, Springbank Center, Mississauga, Ontario On the Spot, Cedar Ridge Gallery, Scarboro, Ontario Ugnayang Diwa, Neilson Creative Park, Etobicoke, Toronto, Ontario Colors of the Orient, York Quay Gallery 2, Harbourfront Center, Toronto, Ontario Kaganapan, Neilson Park Creative Park, Etobicoke, Toronto Ontario Sinag Sining, Neilson Park Creative Park, Etobicoke, Toronto, Ontario Portrait Show, Neilson Creative Park, Etobicoke, Toronto, Ontario Markham Winterlude, Markham Civic center, Markham, Ontario Alay kay Rizal, Neilson Creative Park, Etobicoke, Toronto, Ontario Likha, Neilson Creative Park, Etobicoke, Toronto, Ontario Kalayaan '93, Rivercrest Gallery, Mississauga, Ontario Tribute to the Philippine Heritage, North York Central Library, North York, Ontario Three Man Show, Miladay Gallery, Makati,Rizal, Philippine

Justino Magalona, Jr.

Art is an extension of myself, my work reflects my values, beliefs, observations, experiences, memories and stages of my own life. I work hard capture the spirit and emotion in the subjects of my artworks. I am using Acrylic Paint Pen in executing my works, I developed this tool in May 2005 and it help me cross and blur the fine line between painting and graphic illustration.

Biography

Born in 1967, Cebu Philippines. Second of the 5 children of Justino (Sr) and Julieta Magalona Raised in Catmon, Cebu with sister Gladys by grandmother Julianna and aunt Clotilde Scribbled on the walls and encourage to draw at the age of 3 by grandmother. University of San Carlos - Boy's High School Cebu City (1979 -1984) Philippine Christian University - College of Business Administration (1985-1989) University of the Philippines - College of Fine Arts, Diliman Campus (1989-1990) Artist/Illustrator -International Catholic Migration Commission Philippine Refugee Processing Center, Sabang, Morong, Bataan (1990-1993) Graphic Artist/Illustrator - Asiaweek International Magazine (19931994) Married to Araceli B. Trimidal (1994) Overseas Filipino Contract Worker Saudi Arabia (June 1994 - June 2001) Worked as a Senior Graphic Designer at Impact/BBDO, Riyadh (1998-2001) Immigrated to Canada with his family in 2001 Invented Acrylic Paint Pen (May, 2005) Presently Living in Milton, Ontario, Canada with wife Araceli and Children Justin Emmanuel (11), Julianne Eugenia (91/2) and Jamille Ericka (8) 2003 - present Group Art Exhibitions: Annual Group Art Exhibition (1990-1993) Philippine Refugee Processing Center Artist Group Philippine Independence Art Exhibit - Philippine Embassy Saudi Arabia 2000 Annual From Heart to Hand Art Exhibit - Fine Arts Society of Milton 2005 - 2006 Philippine Artist Group of Canada Art Exhibitions - 2005 to present Solo Exhibitions: Fine Arts Society of Milton Studio Tour 2005 and 2006

Maria Nellie

Art Statement
In porcelain painting, I sketch and design my own composition on paper before I draw and paint it on porcelain plate or platter. It takes a long process to paint from light to dark colors and to fire in a kiln at high temperature for several times. Like in any other paintings I do, still life, landscapes, figures and portraits, and either in Chinese brush painting or in printmaking, there is always a story behind that I am trying to communicate to the world. It shows the past, present and future feeling, movement, reality, dream, zen and the balance of yin and yang. I am an optimist, so that each of my artworks tells that after struggle in life and you are still at the edge, just focus on what you are doing well, and believe that "In every cloud, there is a silver lining."

Biography
Nellie is a self-taught artist. Since early childhood, she has been fond of drawing and painting a wide range of subjects, including flowers, different fruits, people, animals and beautiful places. After high school, Nellie took Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service at the Lyceum of the Philippines. After graduation, she worked as executive secretary in ad agency and got married to a copy writer in 1973. The same year, they immigrated to Canada, settling in Toronto. Although, Nellie maintained a very busy schedule at work and at home, she never forgot her roots in the Philippines and in art. Later on, with changing personal circumstances, Nellie was able to make a greater commitment to art and devote more time improving her technique. She began taking different art courses at community schools, Art Gallery of Ontario, Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto and at Ayala Museum in Makati (on her visits to the Philippines) where she developed her own style. Nellie has a passion for art. She enjoys painting still life, portraits, figures and landscapes in watercolour, pen and ink, chalk pastel, acrylic and oil. She has also taken Chinese brush painting, porcelain painting and printmaking courses at studios of a number of internationally acclaimed artists - Jeremy Tsai, Camille Muller and Lorna Livy. Her first big break came when her "Peony" in watercolour was displayed by Philippine Artists Group of Canada (PAG) on their website (www.philippineartists.com) on August, 2003. She exhibited her artworks with PAG at their shows in Toronto on June, 2004, in Manila from September to October, 2005. Also had art shows in Butuan City in 2005 and in Manila in 2006 with her international artist friend Gion Gounet. Nellie is an active member, a regular contributor and elected secretary of PAG. Recently, her position was changed to P.R.O. She continued her advanced Drawing and Painting Portraits and Figures studies at Central Technical School. Currently, she has her own website pages where her artworks and herself are featured.

Neilia Tonido

Art Statement
Art is a great gift, created by the mind. Allow your spirit to soar...let your brushes go, and make your colors flow.... most of all, enjoy the best of what God gave you to do.

Biography
Having a degree of Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Sto. Tomas, Nelia worked as an Office Furniture Designer and Interior Design presentation renderer. She came to Canada in 1977 with her family and currently living in Mississauga. Her childhood interest to create a wedding cake made her to take Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Cake Decorating at McCall's School of Cake Decorating in Toronto, Ontario. She was a member of the Canadian Society of Sugar Artistry (CSSA), joined several competitions and won a Third and two Second place awards. Being with the Philippine Artists Group of Canada for a number of years only as a companion to her husband Frank, her childhood interests in wtercolour paintings redeveloped. She started doing artworks and to her surprise, she did not loss her touch and subconsciously enhanced the art. She made stronger ties with the Phil Artists Group of Canada by being officially one of its members.

R.C. MananQuil

Art Statement
The gift of art is a language, which is not given to everyone. The artist should use it with honesty and commitment. A true artist must create only to bare his soul. If in so doing, he earns money out of it, he gets a bonus.

Biography
Romeo Castillo MananQuil graduated in 1963 from the University of the Philippines with a Bachelors degree in Fine Arts, cum laude. He worked in a couple of advertising agencies but later distinguished himself as a top illustrator for books, comics & magazines. He went back to serious painting in the early seventies joining numerous group shows. Later, he joined the faculty of the College of Fine Arts as Instructor and later on became Chairman of the Department of Visual Communications as Assistant Professor. He was appointed Artist-in Residence in 1985. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas commissioned him, together with two other artists, to design the 1983 series of bank notes and coins, which included the P1,000 bill that is still in circulation today. Highlight of his design in the series is the independence declaration scene originally featured in the now demonetized 5-peso bill and adapted again in the P100,000 Philippine centennial commemorative note. Mananquil played an important role in organizing Filipino artists in northern America when he migrated to Canada in 1985. He founded the Philippine Artists Group (PAG) and was President for 14 years. His group aims to unify Filipino artists and propagate Philippine visual arts in the region. In 2004, he organized the 1st PAG show in Manila followed in 2006 by a 3-man show with former UP classmates, Dan Dizon and now National Artist Bencab. MananQuil is now one of the more established Filipino artists in Canada. He has been a member of the prestigious Portrait Society of America for several years now. Recently, he was the only one from Canada to be invited as gallery artists, composed predominantly of Americans at the new Bridges gallery in the U.S.

Omel Masalunga

Biography
Born in Naga City, Philippines on April 14, 1959, he developed his artistic skills at an early age. He took up Fine Arts major in Sculpture under the tutelage of National Artist, Napoleon Abueva at the Univeristy of the Philippines. During his graduation, he was awarded The Most Outstanding Fine Arts Student. He started teaching art curriculum at Angelicum School in Quezon City, then moved on to teach same art subject to high school students in Ateneo de Manila University. And because of his natural talent in effective teaching, he was invited to join the faculty of Brent International School in Pasig, Metro Manila on 1988. Along the way, he had attended several local and international art conferences and seminars. He had numerous art exhibitions, too many to list here in fact. But the most remarkable one was his exhibit at the Cultural Centre of the Philippines entitled Mga Anito at Babaylan (Priests and Priestess) where he tackled the lost art of mask-making and native idolatry, which was destroyed by the spanish conquistadores (conquerors). In 1995, he moved from Manila to Toronto, where he continued to express his love for the visual art by mounting exhibitions in galleries and cafes in the city. He eventually joined the Philippine Artists Group founded by Romi Manaquil, a fellow UP alumnus and former member of the Fine Arts Faculty. During his first few years in Toronto, he was commissioned to do a life-size statue of San Lorenzo Ruiz De Manila which is now displayed in the lobby of San Lorenzo School in Mississauga, Ontario. Wanting to go back to his passion for teaching, Omel enrolled in York University in fall of 2001. He eventually earned yet another degree in education that allowed him to teach in local catholic schools here in Ontario. Currently, Omel works for the Toronto Catholic School Board as an Occasional Teacher. He continues to mount exhibitions every now and then. His medium is mostly oil and pastel. He also renders his aesthetic skills on stage designs for concerts.