National day of mourning for national artist Ang Kiukok

President Arroyo has declared Monday a national day of mourning for the late National Artist Ang Kiukok.

"It is fitting to set aside a day of national mourning to honor an eminent Filipino who has left an enduring legacy to our people," Mrs. Arroyo wrote in Proclamation No. 840, which she signed on Friday.

As a tribute to the renowned painter, flags will be flown at half-mast tomorrow in "all buildings and places where it is displayed" both here and abroad.

Ang died last May 9 from a lingering illness at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City.

Born in 1931 in Davao City to Chinese-Filipino parents Vicente Ang and Chin Lim, Ang grew up in relative poverty.

He took up fine arts at the University of Sto. Tomas, where he studied under a number of Filipino masters.

Among them were Vicente Manansala, who was to become a life-long friend and mentor.

Ang became known for his graphic depiction of human suffering, with the crucifixion being a frequent theme in his paintings.

He was named National Artist for the Visual Arts by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in 2001. — Aurea Calica