FATHER, MOTHER, SON. The Villanuevas led by the late artist Ben-Hur Villanueva (center), his muse and wife Lolit and son Bumbo or known in the Facebook circle as Ben-Hur the Younger. The Villanueva clan canceled on Sunday’s (March 15) tribute exhibit about Ben-Hur's life, work and stay in Baguio City due to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) threat. (PNA photo from the Facebook page of Ben-Hur the Younger)
BAGUIO CITY – The family of the late sculptor Ben-Hur Villanueva suspended on Sunday’s (March 15) tribute exhibit about his life, work and stay here amid fear of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
The artist’s son, Bumbo, who carries the family tradition of sculpting, announced on Facebook that the event, “Baguio’s Ben-Hur" will be suspended indefinitely until the “situation normalizes.”
Ben-Hur is the maker of the People Power Monument on Epifanio delos Santos Avenue or Edsa.
“Ganun talaga. Kesa naman tayo ang patay. Ayoko pa po (That is the case. It’s better than we are dead. I still do not want that),” Bumbo said.
Bumbo, carries on his father's artistry and late uncle Roberto, said to be one of the founders of the Baguio Artists Guild in the “Roaring” 80s of creativity.
The era saw a creative spurt when now national artist for visual arts Benedicto Cabrera chose Baguio as his permanent residence, national artist for film Kidlat Tahimik, the late Santiago Bose band to promote artistry.
The event should have been staged on Sunday at the Café by the Ruins, which since the late 80s has been home of Baguio artists, to honor Villanueva who died last January 25. He was 81.
"This is a tribute to a father, an art educator, a servant of God, a man that has touched and inspired a lot of people, a painter, a sculptor, an artist, a man for others, a master, Ben-Hur G. Villanueva," Bumbo wrote on his FB account.
“It features an exhibit of his works that were not exhibited yet. A part of Milos Curameng's documentary film focusing on the artist will be shown. A recollection of the artists' messages and insights about his legacy from friends and loved ones. Of all the places in the world, he chose Baguio as his home because Baguio is so special to him that he loves Baguio so much," he added.
Villanueva spent 30 years teaching at the Ateneo de Manila and upon his retirement from academic life in 1992 chose to relocate to Baguio where he established his art workshop cum coffee shop in Tacay Road near the Tam-awan Village.
His most famous works include the “Kapit-Bisig” that was presented by the late President Corazon Aquino during the 1st anniversary of the 1986 Edsa Revolution, Among Supremo of Andres Bonifacio at the Global City in Taguig City, and The Risen Lord in Nasugbu, Batangas.
In Baguio, the late Villanueva’s works can be seen at the Saint Louis University (St. Aloysius Gonzaga) and at the Centennial Park at Botanical Garden.
Bumbo has also created a name for himself as a metal sculptor while also running his art gallery “Arko ni Apo”.
He is also known as a performance artist that included a show of his own during the Ibagiw (people of Baguio) Festival, the city’s annual creatives week, in November last year. (PNA)
