Marka Demonyo



“Hindi rin ako nayamot sa tren gaya sa bapor ngunit ako’y masiadong nag-iisa kaya halos lahat ng aking mga kasama, nagsisilapit at minsan-minsan akong hinahanap. Mayroon tuloy akong nakilalang isang Ingles na may gustong pumunta sa P.I. [Philippine Islands] at dalawang Amerikano na doon ang tungo. Ang isa ay sundalo at madalas akong kinakausap ng Kastila at Tagalog. Ang unang tanong sa akin ay ang Sampaloc at ‘Mucho bueno ba ang puki Espanol?’

“Mayroon namang isang matandang Americano na sa dining coach ay kinausap ako agad ng Kastila. Nang sinabi ko na ako’y Filipino ay agad tinanong ako ng opinion ko about our independencia. Sina [not legible] siya na kung ako’y gagawing Presidente ay dapat na ngang maging independiente tayo ngunit kung hindi ay huwag nang ibigay kahit kelan. Sapagkat kung hindi rin ako gagawing presidente o emperador ay hindi mawawala ang partido ng mangkukulam.

“Bago kami makaraan ng Salt Lake ay nakakita ako ng mina at conejo.

“Ang hindi ko gusto ay ang aking pagtulog. Magbuhat Chicago hindi na ako nakatikim ng lower berth. Maraming Amerikanang magaganda ngunit walang libre banat.

“Kahapon ng hapon pinasial ko ang city sa bus. Nakita ko ang Cliff House, Golden Gate, Presidio, etc.

“Kaninang umaga higit na tatlong oras ako sa Museo sa Golden Gate. Very poor ang Museo. Dito pinapakilala ng Amerikano ang kanilang ignorance in art taste. Sa sculpture room wala akong napili kundi dalawa o tatlo (ang isa’y itong postal). Halos lahat na ay amanerado tila mga yari ng isang fabrica de marmol o escultura para restaurant o pangadorno sa mga salon de club.

“Tumagal lamang ako ng konti sa room ng last War at sa Spanish-American War. Dito ko nakita ng ilang nauukol sa Revolucion Filipina, etc.etc.

“Pag-alis ko sa Museo ay nabasa akong mabuti at gutom na gutom ako at natae ako ng matigas.

“Kamusta na lang sa kaluluwa mo."


--Excerpts from the letter Fernando Amorsolo wrote to his buddy Guillermo Tolentino about his US trip in the 1900s. I nicked ‘em from Ambeth Ocampo’s Inquirer Column.

They say that you can get a glimpse of a person's soul by reading his writings. The letter in a way, gave us a piece of the esteemed painter’s mind. He-he.

The Philippines' first National Artist in painting known for his beautiful portraits and evocative rural landscapes also had a hand behind the famous and ubiquitous Ginebra San Miguel logo that portrays “St. Michael Vanquishing the Devil” although if you’re a member of the “tumbang- baso” gang, you can argue that it's always the other way around once the spirit of that stainless liquid find its way into your bloodstream.

Anyway, if I am in Manila, I will not miss this exhibit dubbed “His Art, Our Heart- The Amorsolo Retrospective” that showcases the master’s works in various museums that runs until next year.

Manila, Manila...

Comments

Gina said…
The big question- are you going to be in Manila soon?

Uy, very interesting naman to know that it that famous ' marka demonyo' ;-P logo.

And that letter did allow us a peek at the great artist's mind.

Very resourceful naman si Ambeth O. . Until now , I am still itching to get a hold of his book on Jose Rizal.
Anonymous said…
Gina,

i wish. ha-ha. yes, the iconic 'marka demonyo' logo was his contribution to philippine pop culture. national na alak ang ginebra tapos ang logo gawa ng national artist. ha-ha

nakakatuwa yung sulat ano? totoong tao talaga. ambeth ocampo is in his own class as a pinoy historian. iba rin ang approach nya.
Panaderos said…
The letter was indeed quite a revelation. I wonder what he meant about "libre banat"? Was it what I think it is? :D
Anonymous said…
Panaderos,

You got it, pards. He- he.

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