Definitely, it’s a dream come true for contemporary visual artist Neptalie “Rico” Aunzo, also known for his moniker “Pedrong Masipag,” as he celebrates his winning of the International Viral Awards 2022 for visual art with a solo show entitled Pedrong Masipag Has a Dream, at the Grand Ballroom of the Okada Manila in Parañaque City, on April 7th, 2022.
A self-taught artist, Aunzo has broken into the artistic scene with his popular character Pedrong Masipag (Hardworking or Industrious Peter), which he created to symbolize the almost perfect Filipino gentleman, as opposed to Juan Tamad (Indolent John), a very popular character in local folklore that appeared in the 1930s.
Considered one of the fastest-rising visual art superstars in the country today, Aunzo worked hard and with immense passion to achieve his current status. In 2020, his watercolor paintings were included in the coffee table book written by Rev. Fr. Jose Ramon T. Villarin, SJ “Siya Nga!” alongside the country’s big wigs in the art—National Artist Benedicto Cabrera, Betsy Westendorp, Justin Nuyda, Wig Tysmans, and Elmer Borlongan, among others. The book was published locally by De La Salle University Press in 2020 and internationally by Sussex Academic Press in the following year.
Born in a poor family, Aunzo has to do odd jobs to make ends meet for himself and for his family and to support his high school studies. His love and talent for the arts pushed him to his limits, studying the works of the greatest Filipino masters, experimenting with different styles until he developed a style, that he can call his own. His introduction of Pedrong Masipag to the art scene has been well received and has become a part of his identity. In fact, it was Pedrong Masipag that catapulted his artistic career and has been loved by collectors and critics, and even collected by fellow artists and notable collectors.
Aside from this coffee-table book, his works also have been published in different online and print magazines here in the Philippines and abroad, and have been featured in various television, radio, and live streaming shows focusing on the arts.
When it comes to style, David Jonathan Y. Bayot, an academic publisher, a literary critic, an art collector, and the Go Kim Pah Professorial Chair Holder of the Liberal Arts at De La Salle University and currently the Executive Publisher of De La Salle University Press wrote:
“With a picture space that is interestingly marked by intersections of influences—from Cubism (in its interweaving of planes and lines), Fauvism (in its display of bright palette and fierce brushwork), Naïve Art (in its childlike easiness and a simplified perspective), Surrealism (in its occasioning of the uncanny), as well as from the artistic paths blazed by Filipino National Artists Vicente Manansala, Carlos “Botong” Francisco, Ang Kiukok, and Benedicto Cabrera (BenCab), also by Mauro Malang Santos and Lydia Velasco—the self-taught artist Neptali Aunzo has in fact welded a personal style. It’s a style that has remained true to where his memories are rooted and where his dreams take flight. It’s a place where Pedrong Masipag creates and recreates a Home, just as he once did…and the first time he saw Father…”
Meanwhile, his new solo exhibit in Okada Manila only shows that hard work, perseverance, and passion are keys to success, especially in the arts.
Pedrong Masipag has a Dream, organized by the International Viral Awards 2022 in partnership with the artist, will open on April 7th, 5:00 P.M.
Noel Sales Barcelona
