Fingerless painter inspires other artists

MALOLOS CITY , Philippines – Jason Dequillo was an inspiration for other visual artists who joined yesterday’s on-the-spot painting contest sponsored by the Diocese of Malolos.

Like other visual artists, 34-year-old Dequillo is meticulous in mixing his colors and his strokes are careful and calculated.

But unlike other painters, Dequillo was born without fingers and holds his painting tools with both hands.

“I prefer to compete in the regular category because I want to be treated as a normal person,” he said in Filipino when interviewed by reporters while working on his painting at the plaza of the Malolos Cathedral Basilica Minore.

Dequillo started painting at age 15.

“I think it is more of my perseverance than talent that really helped me,” he said.

At first, he said he was not taken seriously but some veteran artists like Vincent Ramos and Fred Villanueva saw his courage and perseverance and took him on as their apprentice.

“I’m so glad they took me as I am. They didn’t look at me as a handicapped person, they took me as a person willing to go the extra mile,” Dequillo said.

He said the assistance given to him greatly improved his skills and enhanced his talents.

Earlier, Dequillo made it to the top three of the prestigious Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) sponsored national painting competition, and as finalist in last year’s Art Association of the Philippines’ Harvest painting contest.

As a painter, Dequillo said that his forte is more on portraits and realism.

He was commissioned by Sen. Panfilo Lacson to do his family portrait. He also has commissions from several mayors in southern Metro Manila.

Dequillo said he joined the church-sponsored painting contest not just for the prize but to further improve his skills.

His participation in the contest has also become an inspiration to fellow artists.

Nards Gomez of Malolos and Don de Dios of Pampanga said Dequillo’s perseverance is not just inspiring, but stimulating as well.

“He can inspire you, but his perseverance will also stimulate you to work harder,” Gomez said.

Fr. Dars Cabral, head of the Commission on Social Communications of the Diocese of Malolos, said the contestants’ artworks will be auctioned to raise funds for the church’s 50th jubilee celebration.