Pedrong Masipag artist of Calabarzon recognizes prestigious Visual Artist of the Year award

by Dong de los Reyes February 17, 2022 Nepatalie "Rico" Aunzo Calabarzon-based visual artist Nepatalie "Rico" Aunzo add...

by Dong de los Reyes
February 17, 2022

Nepatalie "Rico" Aunzo

Calabarzon-based visual artist Nepatalie "Rico" Aunzo added another feather to his cap by receiving the prestigious "Visual Artist of the Year" and "Viral Award" recognition from the International Icon Awards-giving body for his paintings.

It is another high mark in his career as an artist that began back in 2015 when he was in dires straits and was losing hope in his intrepid decision to take painting as a life-long pursuit.



Too, his works will be showcased in an exhibit that also features three other artists from Rizal province at SM Megamall Art Asia Gallery; the exhibit runs until February 22.





"Sumuko nga ako sa pag-abot ng pangarap ko bilang isang pintor. Dalawang taon din akong tumigil sa pagpipinta.. at nagtrabaho bilang training officer sa isang company hanggang isang araw na-realize ko gusto ko talaga ang pagpipinta kaya nag desisyon akong mag- resign sa company at ipag patuloy ang naudlot kong pangarap, ang maging isang full-time artist," Aunzo reminisces.

"Hindi ko naman hinangad ang makilala, ang gusto ko lang ipakita ang talento sa pag guhit. Tandang tanda ko pa nung hikahos ang pamumuhay ko nun. Para lang may makain, binahay bahay ko ang aking mga obra ngunit nakakalungkot ni isa walang bumili kaya umuwi ako ng bahay pauwi na naglalakad, gutom at maski barya walang laman ang bulsa. Umiiyak at kinakausap ang sarili," he recalls.



Academic publisher, literary critic, art collector and holder of the Go Kim Pah professorial chair of the liberal arts at the De La Salle University, David Jonathan Y. Bayot—an narrates: "In 2020, a watercolor painting of Neptalie 'Rico' Aunzo was featured, together with the artworks of canonical names in Philippine art: works by National Artist Benedicto Cabrera (or BenCab), Betsy Westendorp, Justin Nuyda, Wig Tysmans, and Elmer Borlongan, in Siya Nga!—a notable book of reflections by Jesuit priest-astrophysicist, Fr. Jose Ramon T. Villarin—who was then president of Ateneo de Manila University. The volume was published by the De La Salle University Publishing House and the international edition of this book was released by Sussex Academic Press in 2021.

"The Aunzo artwork in the book is a watercolor piece that is a Cubist-inspired work of Naïve art titled A Father’s Love. It’s a monochromatic representation of two not-too-small children though depicted in diminution and in dependence, held in the sheltering embrace of a father whose torso, arms, and hands are evidently exaggerated and assuredly protective.

"And with 'A Father’s Love', the viewers of Aunzo’s art are ushered into the past, present, and future of the painter’s life-story. Aunzo would tell of how as a kid, he would be fascinated with drawing and was active active in poster-making competitions while in high school. But soon after his secondary education, he knew that he could no longer afford to dwell on that “hobby” of creation no matter how deeply he felt then for this endeavor. His family needed him to be the breadwinner—that, he said, was loud and clear to him."



Kaya mo 'yan

Prof. Bayot-an traces the motley disciplines that define Aunzo's paintings: "With a picture space that is interestingly marked by intersections of influences—from Cubism (in its interweaving of planes and lines), Fauvism (in its display of bright palette and fierce brushwork), Naïve Art (in its childlike easiness and a simplified perspective), Surrealism (in its occasioning of the uncanny), as well as from the artistic paths blazed by Filipino National Artists Vicente Manansala, Carlos “Botong” Francisco, Ang Kiukok, and Benedicto Cabrera (BenCab), also by Mauro Malang Santos and Lydia Velasco—the self-taught artist Neptali Aunzo has in fact welded a personal style. It’s a style that has remained true to where his memories are rooted and where his dreams take flight. It’s a place where Pedrong Masipag creates and recreates a Home, just as he once did…and the first time he saw Father."

For Aunzo who toughed it out and struggled in adversity, he reminded himself, "sabi ko kaya mo yan Rico. Darating ang araw malalagpasan mo ito at maabot mo ang pangarap mo..magtiwala ka lang..at hindi mo na gagawin pa ang maglako ng ganito.

"Oo hindi ako tumigil ng tuluyan upang maabot ko ang pangarap at ito na nga ang kabayaran sa aking mga pagsisikap-- ang ma- awardan ng ganitong mga titulo.

"Una sa lahat nagpapasalamat ako sa mga nagtiwala at patuloy na sumuporta sa kakayahan ko dahil sa inyo nandito ako sa kalagayan ko ngayon..Lilinawin ko lang po hindi ako nagdadrama, gusto ko lang ibahagi ang maliit na bagay sa buhay ngunit importante para sa akin at ganundin sa mga nawawalan na ng pag-asa. H'wag po tayong tuluyang huminto sa pag-abot ng ating pangarap. Manalig po tayo sa kakayahan natin at sabihin nating kaya natin 'to.

"Salamat Viral Awards sa pagkakataon na mabigyan ng ganitong prestigious award... Ganundin sa International Icon Awards hindi ko po inaasahan ang ganitong pagpapala mula sa inyo sa pagkilala ninyo sa akin... sisikapin ko po na patuloy na abutin ang pangarap at mag inspire ng mga tao na abutin din ang kanilang mithiin.

"Kailangan lang natin magpatuloy, magsumikap at maging masipag," he muses.