Life and Works of Carlos Modesto Villaluz Francisco

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Popularly known as Botong, Carlos Francisco was born

November 4, 1921 and raised in Angono, Rizal by Felipe
Francisco and Maria Villaluz. He studied at the University
the Philippines School of Fine Arts and was the recipient
the Most Outstanding Alumnus award in 1959 although
he didnt finish his degree and was forced to work. Before the war,
did illustrations for the Tribune and La Vanguardia, and later,
with Victorio Edades and Fermin Sanchez painted sets for
the Manila Grand Opera House, and the Clover Theater.

He taught in the University of Santo Tomas School of Architecture and Fine

Arts and simultaneously worked with Manuel Conde in cinema. He became a
scriptwriter in films like "Ghenghis Khan, Putol na Kampilan" (Broken Sword) and
"Tatlong Labuyo" (Three Wild Roosters) and made costume designs in films such as
"Romeo at Julieta", "Prinsipe Tenoso", "Ibong Adarna", "Siete Infantes de Lara and
"Juan Tamad" series.
Carlos was a member of the first generation modernists who, with Edades
and Galo B. Ocampo, constituted the pioneering triumvirate, which was changed
to the thirteen moderns, that attempted to change the direction of Philippine art
from the tenacious influence of the Amorsolo school in new and fresh idioms of
visual expression. In the struggle for modern art, Francisco was one of the
artists/protagonists in the center of the fray.
Francisco, along with Edades and Ocampo were commissioned to do a
number of murals for lobbies and for private residences such as that of the architect
Juan Nakpil. These murals featured stylized figures in flowing curvilinear lines:
nymphs dancing or playing the flute, often against a background of tropical
vegetation. In the quest for a Filipino modernist idiom, Francisco, who chose to be
based in his fishing village of Agono, observed Philippine folk aesthetics and
researched Philippine history, customs, and traditions. He arrived at an idiom which
was both Filipino and Asian. Francisco employed bold folk colors, flowing rhythmic
lines and decorative patterns often covering the entire field of the painting. He
evoked the communal life of Philippine gatherings and celebrations. His images of
women were drawn from mythology, such as Mariang Makiling; from history and
legend, such as Princesa Urduja; from customs of the past, such as the maiden
carried on a hammock across the mountain in Antipolo; and from contemporary folk,
such as the woman preparing fish for sinigang. Fisherfolk were among his favorite
subjects since he lived in a fishing village. He showed his closeness to the folk in
paintings such as the "Camote Eaters," his last and unfinished work.
Botong Francisco single-handedly revived the forgotten art of mural and
remained its most distinguished practitioner for nearly three decades. He was best

known for his works which evidently depicted some of the countrys impactful
historical moments. His pieces evoke a feel of our culture and tradition with vibrant
colors and hues that capture his audience. Restorer Helmuth Josef Zotter once said
that Botongs art is a prime example of linear painting where lines and contours
appear like cutouts.
His painting, Kaingin", a modernist composition with strong design and
rhythm, won him the first prize in the historic first national art exhibition of the Art
Association of the Philippines (AAP) held at the National Museum in 1948. He was
rewarded as the National Artist for Painting, considered as the greatest muralist of
the country and 1964 Republic of the Philippines Cultural Heritage awardee.
Some of his well-known works includes Portrait of Purita, The Invasion of
Limahong, Serenade, Muslim Betrothal, Blood Compact, First Mass at Limasawa, The
Martyrdom of Rizal, Bayanihan, Magpupukot, Fiesta, Bayanihan sa Bukid and
Sandugo, "Filipino Struggles through History" depicts episodes of the history of
Manila from the first great Rajahs of Tondo, the Spanish colonial period, Balagtas,
Rizal and the Revolution of 1896, up to the American colonial period which becomes
the history of the entire nation itself, the mural made to hang at the Fiesta Pavillion
of the Manila Hotel, murals for the residences of prominent Filipinos, the
bayanihan scene for the Philippine Bank of Commerce, the four-panel History of
Medicine for the Philippine General Hospital, the stations of the cross at the Far
Eastern University chapel, and the life of St. Dominic for the Sto. Domingo Church.
Lastly, Francisco's major masterpiece is the mural for the Bulwagang Katipunan of
the Manila City Hall, commissioned by Manila mayor Antonio Villegas during his
administration.
Botong died at the age of 57 on March 31, 1969, because of haemorrhage
from a lung lesion. On June 12, 1973, he was conceded as the National Artist for
Visual Arts, the second to receive the title after Amorsolo. After he died, Botong
Francisco School of Painting was established that exemplifies lyricism and heroism.

Fiesta
Magpupukot

First Mass at Limasawa

The Invasion of Limahong

Muslim Wedding
Filipino Struggles through History

Bayanihan

Martyrdom of Rizal

Resources:
http://www.heritageartcenter.com/2010/12/carlos-v-francisco.html
http://angonorizal.weebly.com/carlos-botong-francisco.html
http://www.geringerart.com/bios/francisco.html
http://noypicollections.blogspot.com/2011/07/works-of-carlos-v-francisco.html
http://freewayonline.com.ph/carlos-botong-francisco-national-artist-for-visual-arts/
http://www.splendorofthechurch.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/rizal-painting.jpg
http://www.philstar.com/starweek-magazine/2013/01/06/893603/botong-visual-maestroangono
http://en.wikipilipinas.org/images/f/fc/Invasion_of_Limahong.png

Ma. Christma C. Ramos BSIT-1

Maam Josephine L. Dela Pena
T/Th 2:00-3:30