AlDub master painter passes away

An AlDub fan created a beautiful painting for his idols.

Garbed as farmers, Alden Richards serenades Maine Mendoza as Yaya Dub while Ryzza Mae Dizon as Yaya Luvs and Sebastian Benedict as Bae-by Baste enjoy the bounty of the good earth. The painting is entitled “Harana sa Tanghaling-tapat” by Dante Hipolito, master painter of Philippine heritage, executed in his well-loved Composite Realism style.

A depiction of the phenomenal Aldub romance in an imagined provincial setting, it comes with a twist: Vic Sotto, Tito Sotto and Joey de Leon act as Lola Nidora, Lola Tinidora and Lola Tidora. Like diehard admirers, Dante casts himself and Carmen in the afternoon gathering, along with another big favorite, Marian Rivera, now with Baby Zia.

Like his favorite Kalyeserye, or for that matter, “Eat Bulaga!,” Dante wanted to entertain people through his painting. “Harana sa Tanghaling-tapat reflected this. “Nanood nga kami ng #My Bebe Love sa SM Bacoor,” wife Carmen volunteered on what inspired Dante to paint the idyllic scene.

All day long, Dante painted undisturbed in his white studio located at the terrace of his Bacoor, Cavite residence with his radio tuned in to DZBB. He watched “Eat Bulaga!”  from YouTube at night to free his spirits from the burdens of creative work. Laughter and relaxation left him refreshed for new insight and energy.

“Noon ngang MMFF parade, sinamahan niya ako sa Buendia. Umakyat talaga ako sa pader makita lang si Alden and Maine sa float ng #My Bebe Love,” wife Carmen animatedly narrated during an unlikely circumstance – the wake of Dante who passed away due to heart attack early morning of January 24. She reminisced of their romantic past when Dante courted her and accompanied her in stalking Nora Aunor. She idolizes Maine the same way that she used to earnestly follow the Superstar.

“Naku! Fan na fan yan ng Aldub. Tawa nang tawa pag nanonood ng Kalyeserye sa YouTube,” Carmen shared.

“May ginawa siyang painting ng AlDub bago namatay,” Carmen surprised me with another unknown information. “Plano niyang ibigay kay Alden at Maine pero hindi niya natapos.”

Dante was widely known as “The Smile Painter” because his romantic style intimated his simple sense of humor and intimate understanding of the Filipino psyche. Like “Eat Bulaga!” and AlDub, Dante’s art has the ability transcend classes of people beyond the ability of competitors.

In the last full year of his life, Dante painted the 29” x 24” oil on canvas masterpiece titled “Salubong,” that depicts Batangas Governor Vilma Santos leading the welcome of Pope Francis during his 2015 Papal visit. Also featured in the painting are Gary Valenciano, Senator Grace Poe, Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes, Coco Martin and Kris Aquino dressed as rural folks.

Who will finish the painting? Dante’s eldest son, Alvin, who is a professional in Composite Realism will undertake the unfinished project. Alvin is also a visual artist and an expert in his father’s color palette and painting techniques.

“Alvin Hipolito is a great revelation as a true artist himself, a big promise to continue Dante's Composite Realism genre and beyond!” expert digital artist Jaime Torres commented about Alvin’s output. “It must have been an experience to be guided that close by the master father himself. I see a beautiful future for Alvin in our art scene.”

Dante trained Alvin to be his replacement. He cascaded to his three sons, Alvin, Paolo and Glenn the trait of respecting elders. Alvin acts as the benevolent authority over Paolo and Glenn, who they consider their second father.

As Dante was a relative newcomer in the Philippine art scene, he had to operate an eatery with using the culinary skills he learned in Singapore. At the same time, he started to develop his non-existent market by vending his paintings, accompanied by Alvin. It was not easy work as sometimes, they ended up using their paintings to shield them from the elements.

Dante liked imparting his art knowledge to Alvin and Paolo and their playmates. He gave them paper and colors and taught them the rudiments of art. He also asked them to pose for his paintings, telling them to always smile. This instilled in Paolo the habit of smiling, that even with his back turned, he continued to smile.

This definitely instilled love of art among his sons. Alvin paints on the side while Paolo planned to be a painter until he determined his professional field is in computer programming.

Alvin is a published artist at 18. As a sacristan of Cardinal Tagle in special masses when he was still a bishop, a priest assigned in Bacoor and other sacristans learned about this painting skill. Cardinal Tagle sponsored his first solo exhibition. At 21, his works “Kalesa in Vigan”  and Hidden Paradise appeared in the Green Art, An Environmental Advocacy compedium.

Alvin acted as his father’s art consultant in charge of the sales of paintings including commissioned works and art gallery coordination.

Interested Aldub fans can view “Harana sa Tanghaling-tapat” at the Hipolito Studio located at Blk. 10 Lot 42 San Rafael Executive Villa, Habay 1, Bacoor City, Cavite. Contact Alvin Hipolito for commission portraits and paintings via mobile 0998-227-4713 or 0916-778-3636.