Alfredo Carmelo exhibit starts today at NCCA

In celebration of Ocean and Heritage Months, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts is opening an exhibit today at the Leandro Locsin Auditorium in the NCCA Building, 633 General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila. Alfredo Carmelo was a very interesting person. Like Pres. Diosdado Macapagal, his mother belonged to the Lakandula family meaning that he belonged to the old pre-Hispanic aristocracy. He was also the very first Filipino pilot who was allowed to make a solo flight.

Here is a write-up of that account:

"When he was back from Leipzig where his initiation into flying at the Lindenthal Flug Schule was interrupted by the outbreak of the First World War, he enrolled in November 1919 at the Philippine School of Aviation of the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Corporation at Camp Claudio, Rizal, as a civilian, not a military trainee. Among his classmates were Capt. Zablan and Lt. Fernando after whom two airfields have been named, together with Lts. Juan Calvo and Leoncio Malinao. They received intensive ground instruction before they were allowed to fly solo. After riding in a Curtiss Seagull with his instructor, Alfred Croft, on November 9, 1919, he was allowed to make his first solo flight exactly two months later, making him the first Filipino pilot to accomplish the feat."

Way back February 3, 1998, we wrote a column congratulating the Postal Authorities for recognizing five great Filipino artists, namely, Fernando Amorsolo, Alfredo Carmelo, Carlos V. Francisco, Vicente Manansala and Arturo Luz. I then mentioned that Don Alfredo Carmelo’s painting were the most historical because they marked historical events. Classic example was the encounter of the Nuestra Sra. De Cavadonga and the Centurion. He has gained recognition as the last authority on ships of the past era. He is unquestionably irreplaceable. We will never have another painter who knew ships the way he did.

What we would like to see is his much-belated recognition as a national artist. He certainly deserved it long before we did. His works were being exhibited in the United States, Canada and Madrid in the late forties, early fifties and late sixties.

We ask our readers not to miss his show that will start today. It is a great opportunity. Felice Prudente Sta. Maria once wrote this classic review of his maritime paintings: "By recognizing his contribution to Philippine visual arts, the nation would not only be paying him honor, but it would encourage young artists to seek the seas and the rivers, the traditional vessels made from native materials and the native need and ingenuity so essential to strengthening national maritime and fishing enterprise. Such focus is needed particularly as the world’s food and potable water are in jeopardy, and as visible connections to the national heritage and demanded by cultural advocacies. Concerned culture supporters would surely welcome Alfredo Carmelo to the roster of National Artists and hope that contemporary will pick up where he left off."