National Artist of the Philippines for Visual Arts - Sculpture 1973

BIOGRAPHY

Guillermo Estrella Tolentino (1890-1976) represents the National Artist Awards for Sculpture in
1973. He is consider as the &Father of Philippine Arts& because of his great works

Guillermo Tolentino was born in Malolos, Bulacan on 24 July 1890. He was the fourth
of eight children. His father was a tailor, whose only artistic trait is the love of
playing the guitar. Guillermo or Memong, as his family called him, inherited
this artistic skill. Moreover, Memong became one of the three best guitar
players in the Philippines during his time.

Before his formal schooling, he used to mold horses and dogs in clay, out of
the materials from the banks of the fishponds in town.

. He attend School of Fine Arts in University of the Philippines under Vicente Rivera for painting
and later for sculpture under Vicente Francisco. Sooner he became more interested in sculpture
than painting. He graduated in painting and sculpture in 1915 with prizes in all subjects.

By year 1919 he decided to go to America and work as a waiter in a cafe in Rock Creek
Park. Inspired by President Woodrow Wilsons work for peace, he created a
small statue symbolizing peace hoping someday he may be able to
present it to the President. . He shared this to hjs manager who later spoke
about it to the private secretary of Mrs. Wilson, who used to visit the caf
frequently. Shortly, Tolentino had the chance to meet President Wilson at the
White House, marking the turning point in the beginning of his carrer.

With $300 savings, he went to New York to further his studies. Some months
after he arrived in New York, he received a letter from Bernard Baruch, an
American millionaire. Baruch said that he saw the Peace statue made by
Tolentino and he was willing to grant him scholarship. Bernard Baruch saw his small
statue &Freedom& and granted him scholarship in Ecole de Beaux Arts. This small statue made
him to meet and talked personally to President Wilson at the White House.

After graduating with honor in Ecole de Beux Arts, Guillermo Tolentino travelled Europe and
study in Regge Instituto Superiore di Belle Arti di Roma in Rome. During his stay he created the
Saluto Romano and won 2nd prize. He graduated with highest honor in 1923 and held one-man
exhibition in Rome.
Guillermo Tolentino returned home in 1923, then he opened his own studio in Manila. In 1926,
he was appointed as instructor for sculpture in School of Fine Arts in University of the
Philippines. He w

In 1935, the Oblation was unveiled on its original site in the Padre Faura
Quadrangle at U.P. Manila. It was later transferred to U.P. Diliman in 1949.

On 25 October 1935, the U.P. Alumni Association announced its plan to

construct an arch to commemorate the inaguration of the Commonwealth of
the Philippines. They requested Tolentino to prepare the design and the
maquette.

In 1959, he received the UNESCO Cultural Award in Sculpture. In 1963, he

obtained the Araw ng Maynila Award in Sculpture. In 1970, he was also
conferred the Presidents Medal of Merit for contributions to nation building
through his outstanding work in arts particularly in sculpture.
Tolentino also received the Republic Cultural Heritage Award in 1967 for his
contribution in preserving, developing, and enriching the Filipino culture. In
1972, he was given the Diwa ng Lahi Award, the highest honor in the week
long Linggo ng Kalinangan celebration in Manila. Futhermore, the First Lady
Imelda Romualdez Marcos awarded him a plaque in 4 March 1973 for his
meritorious services rendered in the advancement of art in the Philippines.
Likewise on 12 June 1973, Tolentino received the National Artist Award
pursuant to Proclamation No. 1144 dated 14 May 1973, in recognition of his
rare excellence and significant contribution in sculpture.
On 12 July 1976, twelve days before his 86th birthday, Guillermo E. Tolentino
died
Tolentino completed his degree in fine arts in 1915 at the UP. In 1919, Tolentino went to
the United States to pursue further studies on a scholarship grant from Bernard Baruch
of New York University's Beaux School of Arts. He graduated from New York University
with honors in 1921.
He traveled to Europe to visit renowned museums and art galleries in London and Paris.
He then went on to study in Regge Istituto di Belle Arti in 1922.