Angono Art Tour

While other real estate developers are focusing on their properties south of Manila, Filinvest encourages future home owners to move east to Havila. To showcase what the Province of Rizal has to offer, Havila invited members of the media to tour the Philippine’s art capital: Angono Rizal.

Admittedly, Rizal is not a place I would think to go to. The only time I remember going to Rizal was when we toured the historical churches in Rizal and Laguna ten years ago. I never thought there would be that much art in Rizal. I’m not that cultured, you know? 😛

First in our itinerary was the house of National Artist, Carlos “Botong” Francisco, on Doña Aurora Street. The house where the National Artist used to live and paint is also the site of his grandson’s Second Gallery. Carlos “Totong” Francisco II welcomed us to his grandfather’s home and told us more about Botong’s art.

Botong Francisco's art
Paintings by Botong Fransisco

 

Doña Aurora Street itself is a great art destination. The street boasts of murals depicting the National Artist’s paintings in cement.

One mural to go
A new mural artist Charlie Anorico is working on.

 

And in the corner, we saw a colorful wall with the most amazing decoration:

Sa Ugoy ng Duyan
Sa Ugoy ng Duyan

 

The corner lot was dedicated to National Artist for Music, Lucio San Pedro, who also hails from Angono. The words and melody of his Ugoy ng Duyan, the most recognizable lullaby in the Philippines, is inscribed in concrete, paint and metal work.

Balaw Balaw Specialty Restaurant
Balaw Balaw Specialty Restaurant

 

After a quick look at the San Clemente Church, we headed on to our lunch destination: the Balaw Balaw Restaurant. Known mainly for its menu of exotic meats (frog, cricket, duck, beetle, cow butts and balls), the restaurant also serves as a gallery for Perdigon Vocalan’s art.

Nemiranda

 

With our tummies full, we walked to the corner for our next stop: the Nemiranda Art House. Housing the Angono School of Arts, the Nemiranda Gallery is headed by artist Nemesio R. Miranda, and the collection includes paintings by his children. We were welcomed by Katrina Miranda Tuazon, who quickly demonstrated how to draw a still life in pastel.

Mother and daughter
Second and third generation artists

Our last stop in Angono was the Blanco Family Museum. Parents Jose (“Pitok”) and Loring and their seven children are all artists, and their work are all simply astounding. They all follow the school of Realism, and each painting in the gallery are truly remarkable. They capture the character of their subject and are able to clearly express the feelings of each scene.

Victoria at the Blanco Family Museum
Victoria at the Blanco Family Museum

 

Amazing paintings aside, I couldn’t resist taking a photo of these two:

Blanco Family Museum
What are you looking at?

 

We headed out of Angono and drove into Binangonan to see the Angono Petroglyphs. These petroglyphs are the oldest known work of art in the Philippines. Carved out in the rock wall, these petroglyphs are a National Cultural Treasure.

Angono Petroglyphs in Binangonan
Angono Petroglyphs in Binangonan. The easiest way to get there is through Antipolo. Identity crisis much?

 

The tour was headed by tour guide extraordinaire, Alan Nativida. An art and history buff, he’s the perfect guide for touring Angono. If you’re interested to commission Alan’s services, you can contact him through his mobile: +63 919 5111610.

A big thanks to Havila for taking me to discover Angono’s rich art culture. I never would have thought to go there if you haven’t invited me.

Comments

5 responses to “Angono Art Tour”

  1. philos Avatar
    philos

    Hey! Nice site… I love traveling, but haven’t traveled much myself. Anyhow, I’ve met a few Angonons and they sure are proud of their city. Told me they have 2 National Artist just in their city alone… that would be “Ugoy ng Duyan”‘s Lucio San Pedro and Botong Francisco (as you posted above) of course.

  2. adrian Avatar

    Proud to be from Angono!

  3. Rhyss Avatar
    Rhyss

    Hi,
    I remembered touring the Artist trail in Rizal was the best school field trip I had. We did it during our Humanities class in college and I think all schools starting from HS should do this tour, rather than going to Intramuros every year and making us appreciate Spanish architecture rather than our own Philippine culture.
    Thanks for the tour guide info, I will contact him as I plan to take this tour again with my Japanese wife. Rather than marketing tourist site that lacks Filipino identity and culture our government should capitalize on these great Filipino artists to promote Philippine heritage.

  4. Filinvest Lands Avatar
    Filinvest Lands

    Hi Ms Nina!

    I attended DLSU’s Blogger’s Congress just last wednesday (July 16, 2011)! I can’t believe you already featured Havila on your blog. I also have a blog on Havila but it’s more on the houses and lots available.

    What a small world! More success on your blog! 🙂

    – Carlo Bero (Property Consultant, Filinvest Land Inc. – Havila)

    P.S.: I think its not bad to “lend” your soul to the *ahem* once in a while! 🙂

  5. ashlie Avatar

    i was there in June and the best way to go around is using a scooter or a motorbike. i suggest you to give a look here: https://www.book2wheel.com/

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