A Daughter's Musings on Her 'Father of the Light,' Fernando C. Amorsolo
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October 2020 A Daughter’s Musings On Her ‘Father Of The Light,’ Fernando C. Amorsolo By Corazon P. Guidote (HS-78) Some people are born bringing light and A joyful childhood joy to the world, but often they are the last to know. Such is the story I gathered “Growing up, we never thought Papa from Sylvia Amorsolo-Lazo (HS-57) about was a prominent painter,” recalls her legendary father, renowned National Sylvia. “We were used to seeing Artist Fernando Amorsolo. people from all walks of life coming to our father’s studio, like the Americans Sylvia, who’s turning 80 years old this who frequented our first house in October, is an alumna of the Holy Ghost Azcarraga (in Manila). We really didn’t College (HGC) a.k.a. College of the Holy think much of it.” Spirit (CHS), just like her nine other sisters Virginia Amorsolo-Ballesteros+ (HS-36), Soledad Amorsolo-Valdez, Gracia Amorsolo-Valdez, Salome (Lina) Amorsolo (HS-50), Helen Amorsolo- Martinez (HS-54), Luz Amorsolo- Abelardo, Cristina Amorsolo (HS-56/ABA- 59), Rosa Amorsolo-Cheng (HS-62), and Sylvia Amorsolo-Lazo Emma Amorsolo-Castaneda (HS-63). The first four are from the Maestro’s first Sylvia humbly shares, “I am still trying wife, Salud Jorge, and the remaining five very hard to achieve my father’s style in The Maestro in his studio in Azcarraga, Manila are from Sylvia’s mother, Maria del the use of light and shadow. His contrast The Maestro was a devoted father Carmen. is more masterful than mine.” While she is probably closest to Amorsolo’s style of who made sure his children were Fernando Cueto Amorsolo Sr. was the painting, Sylvia admits she can never well-provided-for. Sylvia fondly recalls first Philippine National Artist in 1972. truly duplicate her father’s brushstrokes her father taking them all to He was a realist painter, who mastered because every person is different. The Shoemart (now SM) in Carriedo every the use of light and shadow. brushstrokes determine how one mixes year to buy shoes. The late taipan and Amorsolo was a portraitist and painter the colors on the canvas. However, she founder of SM, Henry Sy Sr., watched of rural Philippine landscapes. In spite of has mastered Amorsolo’s approach to as they made their selections. his detailed craftsmanship, the Maestro human anatomy and his blending of was a prolific artist, having produced Asked why all of the Maestro’s colors, especially sunsets. tens of thousands of art pieces that daughters studied in HGC, Sylvia featured landscapes, portraits and other replies, “Papa wanted us to have a subjects, including images from World high standard of Catholic education, War II, like the celebrated “Making of where values and discipline were the Philippine Flag.” strictly enforced by the German sisters.” In the eyes of an outsider, it would seem that the Maestro had a strict, regimented approach to raising his children. He had a 7-12-7 rule which Sylvia poses with her masterpiece, a (Continued on p. 10 ) painting of her mother, Maria del Carmen. “Making of the Philippine Flag” by Fernando C. Amorsolo 2 Message from the CHSAF President Ma. Socorro N. Camacho (HS-71) Dear Fellow Alumnae, Word Media Facebook page. I am pleased to inform you that last August 1, two • Josefina Quimbo-Galicia Lecture alumnae joined the CHSAF Board. Please join me in Architect Dominic Galicia, our speaker, is the son welcoming Anne Limgenco (BFA-93) and Maria Luisa Daroy of former CHS teacher and alumna Josefina (HS-73). Since then, they have actively participated and Quimbo-Galicia (HS-39/AB-42, BSE-47). An contributed their time, talents and treasure to CHSAF advocate of heritage conservation, Arch. Galicia operations and activities. opened our eyes to the beauty of structures built before World War II and inspired us to care for I am grateful for your active participation and support to our culture and heritage. Held last August 29, the following activities that the CHSAF board had 2020, over 90 people registered for the Zoom organized for you: lecture and we had over 900 views on our • Dialogue with CHSM President Wynna Medina Facebook page. You will recall that last June 19, 2020, CHSAF organized a dialogue between CHSM President, • Tribute to Cora Parco Dr. Wynna Medina, the CHSAF board, and the We had a virtual program last September 19, official batch representatives. Dr. Medina briefed 2020 to thank Cora Parco for her 10 years of us on the school’s preparations and response to service to CHSAF as its Executive Director. the crisis brought about by the COVID-19 • The Philippine Environment: the Potential and the pandemic. In her briefing, she identified Reality opportunities for the alumnae to help faculty and A joint activity with Green Convergence, our very students. Among these opportunities, the own Dr. Angelina Pineda-Galang (HS-57) spoke alumnae decided to help senior high school about our rich and beautiful ecosystem. Nina students (Grades 11 and 12) from public schools inspired everyone to love and take care of the and whose families had lost their financial means environment. Over 70 people registered for this to continue their CHSM education. Zoom forum held last October 3, 2020, with 655 We are very grateful for your overwhelming views on our Facebook page. response to the CHSM Scholarship Program I look forward to your continued active participation. We Committee’s campaign to raise funds for the endeavor to continue convening the Official Batch Reps “financial aid” of 50 senior high school students every quarter. We had a very good attendance in our last for the duration of two years. As of September meeting held July 25, 2020. I am hopeful that with input 2020, about P6 million has been raised. from the alumnae, through Official Batch Reps, we, your • CHSAF-Sponsored Masses CHSAF board will be able to organize relevant activities A Mass for the mother of Sr. Eden Panganiban, that benefit our alumnae, our school and the community CHSAF Adviser, was held last June 12, 2020. at large. Celebrated by Father Jerry Orbos, SVD, the virtual Please continue to take care of yourselves. Stay safe and mass was live-streamed through the Divine Word healthy. Veritas in Caritate. Media Facebook page. Sincerely, A requiem Mass for our departed alumnae and Marissa Camacho their immediate families was held last July 31, President, 2020 - 2022 2020. This was also celebrated by Father Jerry CHS Alumnae Foundation, Inc. Orbos, SVD, with alumnae in the Philippines and abroad joining the virtual Mass via the Divine From the Alumnae Board 3 Meet the new members of the 2020-2022 CHSAF Board of Trustees Full Name Maiden Name Anna Marie C. Limgenco Maria Luisa B. de Guzman Nickname Married Name Anne Daroy Year Graduated Nickname HS-89/BFA 1993 Chuchi Years in CHS 7 years Year graduated HS 1973 Educational Attainment Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Advertising, CHS Years in CHS M.A. Human Resources and Values Development, 12 years Miriam College Educational Attainment Career Background BS Chemistry, RChem After college, I worked in a hotel, then transferred to MS Microbiology a corporate setting and finally, an NGO. Currently, I Diplomate Philippine Academy For Microbiology am HR Director of nine different companies and I am managing a manpower agency Career Background Biomedical Science Research and Teaching Hobbies/Special Interest I enjoy reading cookbooks, magazines, novels, and Hobbies/Special interest inspirational books. I like doings things with friends Reading, cooking, contemplative prayer like dancing, singing and cooking. Favorite teacher Favorite Teacher Sr. Ivalda, SSpS Ponet Santillan, Mr. Gonzalo Fondest Memory Fondest Memory Social activism, and playing volleyball, with my I helped found a multi-level social community barkada organization, the Office of Social Concern (OSC). I was also a member of the Student Catholic Action. Every Most Important Lesson week, we reached out to an adopted community that As a child of God, be faithful and listen to the Holy needed our help. Spirit. Most Important Lesson If I can only make at least one person smile today... Message to Alumnae then I would have spread cheer and hope Persevere in living an ordinary life with extraordinary love. Message to Alumnae We are all instruments of God’s love. When we receive kindness, let us strive to “pay it forward.” From the Alumnae Board 4 Meeting Via Zoom: CHSAF Discuss Scholarships, Social Media, Environment Alumnae Urged To Pay Membership Fees To Support CHSAF Projects College of the Holy Spirit Alumnae Foundation President Ma. families. With this in mind, the CHSM (joint) scholarship Socorro “Marissa” Camacho has introduced the new board committee has decided to award financial grants to officers and members to class representatives during a deserving students. Compared to scholarships, this Zoom meeting on July 25, 2020. assistance does not cover the entire tuition and miscellaneous fees. Maintaining the required grade average At the work-from-home meeting, attended by 40 alumnae is also less stringent. The board encourages alumnae to from across 33 classes, the CHSAF President reported on the continue supporting the scholarship and financial grant foundation’s 2019 – 2020 sources of revenue as well as programs. expenses. Of the total revenue, 83% is for specific purposes (e.g. scholarship & Taal Calamity assistance). In terms of The board also informed class representatives that Ms. Cora expenses, over 80% was for programs and projects and of Parco has left the CHSAF Secretariat after 10 years of this, 50% went scholarship. General and Administrative supporting the foundation and school alumnae. expenses accounted for 19% of expenses. CHSAF Board Officers And Members 2020-2022 Marissa noted that Membership Dues is the main source for President Ma.