I was born in Manila, Philippines, the year man first stepped on the moon. I made my theatrical debut in kindergarten, at Manila General. I first played the wheel of a fire truck, then a tree. I've been stage struck ever since. As a child, Crayola crayons became my friends. Some were good. Some were not. Red was my favorite. Yellow my second favorite. I learned to draw and paint on my own. Theatre became a refuge, along with the canvas. The works of the old Master's became a source of inspiration. I studied in Florence, Italy to walk the path with Leonardo and Michelangelo hoping, through osmosis, their spirits will bless me. In theatre, I have studied with Uta Hagen, Joyce Piven and Peter Forster. All of whom are equally brilliant and equally unique. I have also learned to negotiate the dance between the stage and canvas. It's not an easy dance, for more time spent on one or the other makes the muse jealous. Currently, my work takes me to the underprivileged to explore their lives and then tell their stories both on canvas and on stage. My painting series "The Working Poor" depicts the lives of those who struggle every minute. Their daily wage is less than the price of a large size fries. In theatre, the works I have been privileged to be a part of have tremendous social meaning, oftentimes critical of the role of the Imperial powers. The focus of these works is to narrate the lives of the poor, the oppressed, the colonized.

EXHIBITIONS

Jun – Jul 2005,”Beyond The Barrelmen”, First Filipino American Art Exhibit in Chicago, Acme Art Works, Chicago, Il. Juried Show.

Oct 8- Nov 4, 2004, “Works on Paper”, Prairie State College Foundation Christopher Art Gallery. Prairie State College. 202 S. Halsted St. Chicago Heights, IL 60411. Juried show.

Sep 18- Nov 20, 2004. FCPA 2nd Annual Members Art Exhibition. FCPA Friends of Community Public Art & The Forge Gallery. 310 N. Ottawa St. Joliet, IL.

May 20 – June 29, 2004, ”No Straight Lines”, High Risk Gallery. 1113 W. Belmont, Chicago, IL.

Apr 22-May18, 2004, ”The Elements”, Asian/Pacific Art and Artist. High Risk Gallery, 1113 W. Belmont, Chicago, IL.

Jan 2004, “Best in Show”. Urban Studio, 1450 W. Webster Place, Chicago, IL 60614.

Nov 12-Dec 2003, ”Chicago”. La Galeria Samuel Menace, Zone Rosa, Mexico City, Mexico. Juried show.

Apr 22- May 18, 2003,”The Elements”. High Risk Gallery, 1113 W. Belmont, Chicago, IL.

Dec 9-Jan 4,2002,”CHOP”, A Collective Benefit Show. The Hothouse, 31 E. Balbo, Chicago, IL.

Sep 7 – 9, 2001, “Around The Coyote Festival”. Chicago. IL.

Jun 2, 2001, “Dekada”. Pintig Cultural Group. Fizz Restaurant. Chicago, IL.

Mar –Apr 2000, The Perfect Cup. 4700 N. Damen. Chicago, IL.

Nov 6-10, 1996, “Sining Pilipino”, Chicago Artist’s Month. Ad- Infinitum Gallery, Chicago, IL.

Jun 10-15,1996,”Sining Pilipino II”. Assembly Hall of The Consulate General of The Philippines. Chicago, IL.

May 1996, “Asian American Month”. Illinois Center. Chicago, IL.

Apr 22, 1995. “Art For Peace Festival”, Pintig Cultural Group. Loyola University, North Campus. Chicago, IL.

Jan 07-Feb 04, 1994. “Salon Show 1994”. The North lakeside Cultural Center. Chicago, IL.

May01-Sep 24, 1993,”DestinAsian”, Chicago’s First Pan-Asian American Emerging Artists Touring Exhibit. South Shore Cultural Center (Sep10-24, 1993), Chicago Cultural Center (Jun 10- Aug 28, 1993), North Lakeside Cultural Center (May 01-Jun 08, 1993).

AWARDS 

“Best in Show”, La Galeria Samuel Menache, Mexico City, Mexico. November 2003.

Certificate of Appreciation for contribution in the Chicago Art Scene. Presented by Mayor Richard Daley. May 28, 2002.

EDUCATION 

Primarily self-taught.

Renaissance painting technique. “Technique Mixte”, Master painter Patrick Betaudier. FCPA, Joliet, IL. 2004.

19th century drawing technique. Florence, Italy under Master painter John Michael Angel of Angel Art Academy. 2003.