A Dad Learning More of Isabelo Tampinco’s Works

I’m a fan of arts and culture and learning that there are other artist who’s been great in the past but was not given enough credit in the limelight of history is saddening. In my understanding arts is the manifestation of our culture and it is the reflection of our heritage. Present inhabitants may not know the culture in the past but through arts this idea can get vivid enough to understand the ways in the previous era or generation. It’s a great honor for a fan and a dad like me to learn more of Isabelo Tampinco’s works through the book authored by Dr. Santiago Albano Pilar.


Through the partnership of Vibal Foundation and National Museum of the Philippines the works and life of Isabelo Tampinco is compiled and put into record in a book entitled “The Life and Art of Isabelo Tampinco,” written by art historian Santiago Albano Pilar and edited by National Museum director Jeremy R. Barns, with photography by David C. Fabros.

The Life and Art of Isabelo Tampinco gives a detailed history of the artist and his development, as well as his contributions to Philippine sculpture, accompanied by rich visuals of his masterpieces and influences.

To provide a little background about Isabelo Tampinco to interest you in buying and reading this book, he was born in 1850 at the heart of Binondo to a family of carvers, Tampinco was known for his trademark estilo Tampinco that infused native motifs with art nouveau. He studied drawing and painting in the Academia de Dibujo y Pintura, and apprenticed at a carver’s workshop before he formally trained in sculpture a the Escuela de Artesy Officios. He created numerous ornaments and sculptures of angels, saints, and Greco-Roman characters for churches, homes, and public buildings. Tampinco later opened a workshop in Quiapo with Graciano Nepomuceno. His most notable works include the interiors of the San Ignacio Church in Intramuros and the Manila Cathedral.

So now that you’ve known a part of his works and his life you can also personally see his works at the Fundacion Santiago Hall at the National Art Gallery which is open for public viewing and is located at the Padre Burgos Drive, Rizal Park. Museum hours are from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesdays to Sundays. Take note admission is free on Sundays but limited to families and groups of less than 10.

Oh did I say that I was one of the lucky individuals who received a copy of the book (not the hardbound itself) and it was signed by Dr. Santiago Albano Pilar and the collector of Isabelo Tampinco’s works the Salas Family.

To know more visit www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph or see National Museum of the Philippines on Facebook.

So, what do you think of visiting the museum on weekends with the kids?