June 22, 2012
NCCA ARTICLES
The City of Manila, through Mayor Alfredo Lim, signed E.O. 18 declaring May 30 of each year as “Amorsolo Day” starting this year, and every year thereafter. This was announced during the annual “Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan” awarding ceremony in Manila City Hall.
Fernando Amorsolo became the country’s first National Artist when he was awarded in 1972. The official title “Grand Old Man of Philippine Art” was bestowed on Amorsolo when the Manila Hilton inaugurated its art center on January 23, 1969 with an exhibit of a selection of his works. Returning from his studies abroad in the 1920s, Amorsolo developed the backlighting technique that became his trademark where figures are seen aglow on canvas.
Among others, his major works include the following: Maiden in a Stream (1921)-GSIS collection; El Ciego (1928)-Central Bank of the Philippines collection; Dalagang Bukid (1936) – Club Filipino collection; The Mestiza (1943) – National Museum of the Philippines collection; Planting Rice (1946)-UCPB collection; Sunday Morning Going to Town (1958)-Ayala Museum Collection.
Amorsolo was born in Paco, Manila and learned under his cousin Fabian dela Rosa, another master Filipino painter.
The E.O. 18 enjoins all the departments, bureaus and offices of the city government in actively taking part in the activities that will be carried out in the celebration of Amorsolo Day each year.
