I was walking through the hallway of the building when I personally heard and saw the lady cry out her fear to her collegues as she came out of the faculty room on the way to our anatomy class.
Indeed, there was reason to be nervous because she really had to come up with substantial stuff for us to do, lest the class be through within minutes. In fact, we seldom stayed more than 15 minutes in her class and this kept happening until she just disappeared and a more able mentor took over. So it was in this class that I met Adriano Valino. And if anyone asked who were the matinik ones in our department, his name always cropped up.
Seeing his work now is like déjà vu not only of those years and how our world then seemed to be more beautiful – when life was simpler and the air was cleaner – but also of our carefree days when people were nice and did not think of harming anyone. It was also a time when songs were music, not noise, to one’s ears and life was nicer and less stressful. And although most of us moved on to pursue individual goals in life, Valino consistently painted images of how he saw things should be – always beautiful and magical as they are gifts from God. Because I know him from those wonderful university days, I can very well say that he remains attached to the unforgettable scene of untroubled freedom and Sgt. Pepper’s music, euphoric colors and magical aura.
Thus, his latest works are still reminiscent of those peaceful days. "Paradise," the title of his new body of works, refuses to imbibe any energy from the chaotic world we now live in. Nor does it reflect the constant neglect that nature has been subjected to by man. "I want to remind people, if only through my paintings, of the beauty that God has given us – which most people are taking for granted these days," explains Boy. "I am aware that I cannot solve the problems, but to help draw people’s attention, no matter how small and brief, on the beauty of nature is enough for me at the moment."
True to form and with watercolor as medium, Valino has crafted magical and colorful compositions of undersea images. Not far from his past exhibits where he used the Filipino saranggola to depict the joys of youth, his emotional involvement with his subject and medium projects his longing to keep and care for the beauty that is within our reach each day. Going back to his childhood in the province where kite-flying was a popular game kids play, Valino came up with rich earth colors bursting with images of masks and symbols that were visually delightful, nay, sumptuous – notwithstanding that kite-flying has, in fact, become a professional industry and sport. But Valino never thinks in those terms. He is very mild-mannered, down-to-earth and easy to be with. The man is full of grace and seemingly frozen to the compassionate temper of our college days. And for his saranggola collection, luxurious colors come together in blissful explosion – something he imagines a child would be mesmerized with, as if it were his own childhood saranggola playing with the wind.
For this new collection called "Luntiang Paraiso," each framed painting speaks for itself. The cool, refreshing colors actually beckon one to take a closer look. Looking at each artwork up close, one just naturally goes deeper into the details and feels the oceanic paradise within. These aquatic panoramas lure the viewer into a different world full of oceanic gardens and tropical underwater life.
Composition and color make up a good percentage of this body of artwork, but one cannot deny the skill of the honed artist. Art critic Cid Reyes points out, "The show is also a display of Valino’s virtuosity as a technician. No one who sees the works can doubt that. Romantic longing cannot be transcended without the necessary skill. Otherwise, nature becomes a blank abstraction, a puzzle to the uncautious eye. It is the precise rendition of nature’s subtle glories that inexorably pulls the viewer into the vision of an artist. "
Valino succeeds in seducing his viewers with his masterful and mystical renditions in watercolor . His paintings project the magical aspect of life that most of can only dream of in our 21st century existence.
Valino’s journey goes back to more pleasant times. He is emotionally involved with nature and will not leave the charm of the past that he wishes to preserve through his work.
"Didn’t we just love the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band?" I remind him . Valino smiles and says, " Oh yes, those were really good days!" As we say our goodbyes, I have this feeling that Valino will keep the honest charm of our time in his heart and continue to pursue in his works his own timeless magical mystery tour.