CEBU, Philippines – In memory of a local artist who has made great contributions to the field and in sharing his knowledge and talents with the young artists of his time, the Casa Gorordo Museum presented an exhibit of the works of the late Martino Abellana.
The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. facilitated the opening of the exhibit featuring the paintings and other artworks of Abellana entitled “Martino Abellana: Artist and Father”.
The current exhibit is the second of a three-part series of Abellana retrospective exhibits that will be open to the public until April this year.
It is divided into two categories, the early works of Abellana done during his trip to Europe and his works featuring his children.
Abellana was born in Carcar town on January 30, 1914. He started his Arts studies in 1933 at the School of Fine Arts in the University of the Philippines where he came under the tutelage of the famous old guards of Philippine Art.
After the World War II with the coming of the American Liberation Forces, Abellana did portraits of American officers and received various awards and recognition for his works.
He has taught art and theory techniques in painting in several schools like UP Cebu College, Cebu Institute of Technology and the University of Southern Philippines. He was also one of those who organized the establishment of College of Fine Arts in UP Cebu College.
Since he first became a teacher in 1946 he never stopped teaching until he got sick in 1987. He died of cancer in March of 1988.
Abellana’s eldest daughter, Gemma Abellana said that the family is happy to once again open to the public the works of her father so he might be known among the youth artists of today.
Gemma hopes that the experience of her father told in his paintings will inspire young painters.
Casa Gorordo celebrated its 25th anniversary as a museum last year. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/BRP (THE FREEMAN)