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We Did Not Know Botong: Painting Today in Angono, Rizal [Part 1 of 4]
By Ligaya Diwata
A Short History of Angono and the Arts Two of the most significant things which must be committed to collective memory, especially in this era of rapid global change and development, are culture and the civilization which nurtured it. In particular, Filipino culture and civilization needs to be embedded in the collective Filipino subconscious, lest they succumb to the threat of homogeny brought about by rapid, unchecked globalization. Perhaps none is more important than the small town of Angono in the province of Rizal, considered the "wellspring of the arts." Angono has earned this nickname due to its many offspring, who have all contributed to Philippine art through the centuries. Its citizenry have earned countless awards in sculpture, literature, song, dance, theatre, musical composition, and painting. One proof of the Angonon talent is the presence of prehistoric paintings called "petroglyphs" in the mountains which cut through the towns of Angono and Binangonan. Because these petroglyphs were discovered by Carlos "Botong" Francisco, National Artist for Painting, the citizens of Angono claim ownership of these caves even while those from Binangonan also lay claim to them. (The caves are currently under the care of the National Museum.) Carlos Modesto "Botong" V. Francisco continues to earn praise beyond the grave from both artists and Angonons as an "esteemed muralist with a golden palette." He was born on November 4th, 1912, to Felipe Francisco, who in turn was a son of the full-blooded Chinese Tan Guey, but for some reason Botong was always recognised as a full-blooded Filipino due to his dark skin tone. While many of his peers attested to his kindness, courage, consideration for others, and constant contemplation around the nearby Laguna Lake, he received both good and bad publicity for the speed with which he executed his work. He was considered "lazy" by some critics of his time because he took no more than a few hours to paint, and no more than half an hour to execute designs for films. It was also said that he had the ability to see the future, which his wife Nene claims is the reason why he faced his approaching death with uncharacteristic calm. He died on March 31st, 1969, and earned the award as National Artist for Painting posthumously in 1973. * The article is one (1) of four (4) parts. Please be patient in my releases as I am translating them from the original Filipino work. |
Wikipedia entry on Angono, Rizal
| Wikipedia entry on Carlos Modesto "Botong" V. Francisco
| Wikipilipinas entry on Angono, Rizal
| Wikipilipinas entry on Carlos Modesto "Botong" V. Francisco
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