Leading Filipino artists in BC

This is PART II of the Dimasalang International Artist group column on leading Filipino artists in British Columbia.

Last week we started with SYM (Sofronio Mendoza) and Edgardo Lantin. The latter is well-known for his portraits of celebrated subjects but also for his realistic painting that highlight his concept of light, form, color and movement, Lantin was highlighted last year in the prestigious International Artist. (the magazine for artists by artists around the world). The article focussed on the artist’s technique in portraiture and his recent adventure in symbolisms that he incorporated for a particular commission.

• Simeon Dee – Born 1935 in the Philippines, he graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Architecture at the University of Santo Tomas. He worked in Vancouver for many years and when he retired he decided to pursue his old dream - to concentrate on painting. He derives great pleasure and relaxation from painting at his home studio. His colorful art pieces reflects Dee’s love of nature. He is deeply moved artistically by the color of the trees, flowers and foliage which he claims he inherited from his father and grandfather. Watercolor is the medium of his choice. He had a successful first solo art exhibition last year. Dee said that he can express best with watercolor because the trasparency of the medium gives it individuality. Simeon Dee is the father of award-winning photographer Stuart Dee whose outstanding works were collected in his coffee table book "Philippines Rediscovered."

• Rod Pedralba – Born in the Southern Philippines in 1953, Pedralba trained as an architectural draftsperson prior to emigrating to Canada in 1974. He studied painting under SYM. He has mastered the use of a variety of mediums including oils, acrylic, watercolor and pastels. Pedralba’s efficient works or art has evolved into a new modern vision characterized by a harmonious pattern of shapes creating a form of analytical cubism. His subjects comprise of wildlife, landscapes and human-interest events. His Philippines Eagle painting received several awards in Vancouer most recent artwork is entitled "The World Today and Tomorrow".

• Noel Trinidad – Born in the Philippines in 1935. His family moved to Canada in 1970. As a young boy, he showed great promise in painting that his uncle, renowned artist Jose Trinidad taught him basic lessons and training in Fine Arts. Noel is definitely a Trinidad. He pursued his artistic inclination at Hangara College in Vancouver then had private training from SYM. Trinidad had exhibitions in Canada and the United States. He paints in oil, pastel and watercolor. He enjoys painting landscapes, lifeboat scenes, floral, seascapes, snow and human interest subjects.

• Jose Hipolito – Born 1944 in the Philippines. Hipolito studied architecture at Far Eastern Unversity. He worked his way through unversity as an illustrator with a major portion of his work in the field of calligraphy, Hipolito moved to British Columbia in 1972 and worked with various architectural firms in Vancouver. When he moved to Richmond City in 1978, he was amazed by the beauty of the wharves, harbors and canneries. He was highly inspired and motivated to capture the beauty of these places and became the subjects of his paintings. The experience he garnered through illustration and architecture can easily be detected in his paintings. His works are in oil, acrylic and watercolor.

On another subject, Toronto-Dominion Bank reported that Alberta and British Columbia will lead the province in economic growth in 2004 and 2005. This means that the two provinces will feel the strength in both job creation and additional personal income.

In Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick, strong growth in the United States and a rebound in export oriented manufacturing industries will place the three provinces in the next tier, However, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland will lag due to slower offshore activity.