Manuel Rodriguez Sr.: A much awaited sentimental homecoming

"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved." W.J. Bryant's words seem to describe the artistic journey of Manuel Rodriguez, 95 years old New York-based Cebuano, a pioneering visual artist who revived printmaking as a major art form which led to the graphic arts movement in the Philippines. Mang Maning, as he is fondly called by friends and colleagues, was born in P. Burgos St., Cebu City and graduated from Argao Elementary School and the Southern Institute of the Philippines (now the University of Southern Philippines). Rodriguez attended the University of the Philippines School of Fine Arts to teach together with Cebuano artists Martino Abellana and Julian Jumalon and was mentored by experts like Fernando and Pablo Amorsolo, Fabian dela Rosa, Toribio Herrera, and Ramon Peralta.

Recognized as the "Father of Philippine Printmaking", Rodriguez began experimenting with printmaking in the '50s with greeting cards depicting Filipinos and their traditions. Using his own paintings, he turned out silk-screens or woodcuts in one or two colors. They were exhibited by the Arts Association of the Philippines (AAP), which was then headed by Purita Kalaw Ledesma. Printmaking later became a separate genre and prompted novice artists to join AAP to learn more about it. With help from AAP, Rodriguez was able to conduct workshops on printmaking. Among the notable artists who attended these workshops were Vicente Manansala, Fernando Zobel and Hernando R. Ocampo.

When art shifted from traditional to modern during that era, modernists criticized Rodriguez for sticking with printmaking. They considered it a "dead art" and felt he was wasting his time. But Rodriguez continued to teach in hopes that people would "appreciate art by the hands-on way." Printmaking changed the course of his career. It gave him the opportunity to study abroad and expand his skills. Returning to the Philippines in 1962, Rodriguez was at first hesitant to share what he had learned, but changed his mind, feeling it would be his fault if "Filipinos remained ignorant in graphic arts". He opened a printmaking workshop next to his family-owned art gallery and introduced college students to graphic arts. Rodriguez revitalized printmaking by improvising original machines and materials for etching on metal. He invented a roller press and metals from materials he found at a jeepney factory.

Rodriguez moved back to the United states in the '70s and settled in New York. There, he established "Interarts", an organization of artists, musicians and writers. He also returned to his other love, painting. He experimented with new tools and mediums, creating his own style by using "impressive distortion of forms, palpable rhythm, poetic symbols and collage." Works in his collection include "Marbles" (1960), "Man Has His Seasons," (1985) and "Dance of Fire" (2004).

Rodriguez has received numerous accolades throughout his career, among them the National Heritage Award (1967); Lingkod Bayan Award (1975); Patnubay ng Kalinigan Award (1979); Bruna P. Seril Advancement of Philippine Cultural Award (1988); and the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of New York Achievement Award (1991). He founded the Philippine Association of Printmakers (PAP) and was the first Filipino artist and printmaker to represent the Philippines in International Biennial Exhibitions. Rodriguez was also given an honorary professorship by the University of Florence, Italy in 1963. Today at 95, he continues to paint and join exhibitions. He plans to write a book about art as a language.

Hale, hearty and happy to be home, Mang Maning is back in Cebu after a 72-year absence to accept the Rajah Humabon Lifetime Achievement Award from the City of Cebu and the Garbo sa Sugbo award from the Province of Cebu. As part of the celebration of February as National Arts Month, he will also conduct two printmaking workshops for students and practicing artists at the University of the Philippines Cebu campus and the University of San Carlos Fine Arts Department on February 21 and 23, respectively. He will be assisted by Mr. Pandy Aviado, a former student and respected visual artist, as well as Cebuano Professors Karl Roque, Javy Villacin and Radel Paredes. Interested parties may call the Arts Council of Cebu office at 233-0452 and 233-0236 for details.