Purveyor of Knowledge and Emerging Publisher of Content and Visually Driven Books

February 10, 2026

The History and the 1930s Graduates of the University of the Philippines School of Fine Arts

The History and the 1930s Graduates of the University of the Philippines School of Fine Arts (First of Three Parts)
by: Christiane L. de la Paz

February-March 2014--The School of Fine Arts was established by authority of Act No. 1870, founding the University of the Philippines which was enacted by the Philippine Assembly on June 18, 1908. The School was opened to students in June, 1909. It was first housed in a building rented by the University at 931 Calle Resurreccion Hidalgo, Quiapo. In May, 1926, it moved to 1001 California Street, Ermita, and in November, 1933, it moved to Villamor Hall where it is present housed.


The object of the School, besides the teaching and development of the graphic and plastic arts in their various and manifold branches, which is its chief objects, is “to exert an influence toward the advancement and refinement of those industrial trades which are of an artistic nature; as gold and silver work, ceramics, embroidery, lace-making, and metal work.”

The 1930s Graduates


Florentino Macabuhay (1931)


Carmen Bernabe


Anastacio Caedo (1932)


Vicente Dizon (1932)


Marcelino Rivera (1932)


Pilar Santiago (1932)


Wenceslao Garcia (1933)


Anita Magsaysay (1933)


Simplicia “Nena” Saguil (1933)


Julian Jumalon (1934)


Dominador Ilio (1935)

Eduardo Perrenoud (1935)

Martino Abellana (1938)


Alejandro Celis (1938)

PEDRO ABRAHAM JR.: UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPINES Pedro Abraham, Jr.
PEDRO ABRAHAM JR.: UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPINES Pedro Abraham, Jr.
Prof. Pedro Abraham, Jr., or Sir Edru to his students, is a known figure in the University of the Philippines. He was the founder of the Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino (Kontra-GaPi, the Resident Ethnic Music...
lee mas...
Making An Impression: Efren Zaragoza's Life in Art
Making An Impression: Efren Zaragoza's Life in Art
January-February 2015--Efren Zaragoza had his first sighting as a printmaker in 1966 when he joined the First National Graphic Art Competition sponsored by the Art Association of the Philippines. His interest in printmakin...
lee mas...
Museum uncovers Van Gogh Painting of His Brother
Museum uncovers Van Gogh Painting of His Brother
AMSTERDAM -- The Van Gogh Museum said its experts now believe one of Vincent van Gogh’s paintings previously thought to be a self-portrait actually depicts his brother, Theo. If true, it would be the only known painting...
lee mas...
Jose Zabala Santos (1911-1985)
Jose Zabala Santos (1911-1985)
March 2013--Jose Zabala Santos or “Mang Pepe” to his neighbors in Kuatro Kantos, Malabon, was born in Calumpit, Bulacan on July 20, 1911. He acquired his early drawing skills from his mother whose avocation i...
lee mas...
The Deviant Artist Costantino Zicarelli
The Deviant Artist Costantino Zicarelli
December 2008 - - Costantino Zicarelli belongs to the new generation of artists whose paintings are difficult to like but harder to ignore. His art differs from the standards as he chooses to paint the d...
lee mas...
Controversial Caravaggio to be unveiled in London
Controversial Caravaggio to be unveiled in London
March 2013--Mahon bought The Cardsharps for £50,400 (est £20,000-£30,000) when it came up for auction at Sotheby’s, London in 2006, ascribed to a 17th-century “follower” of the artist. Mahon believed it...
lee mas...
Leo Abaya's Dialogue of Ideas and Images
Leo Abaya's Dialogue of Ideas and Images
September 2016--Leo Abaya has an enviable sense of timing. In 1993, his student plate of a collage study of images from magazines, Views and Points of View won the Jurors Choice at the Art Association of the Philippine Annual Art Compe...
lee mas...
Shouting in Bronze: The Lasting Relevance of Andres Bonifacio and His Monument in Caloocan
Shouting in Bronze: The Lasting Relevance of Andres Bonifacio and His Monument in Caloocan
Amidst the concrete jungle in the middle of the city of Caloocan, amongst the smog of pollution, stands the dignified figure of Andres Bonifacionational hero, Founder of the Katipunan, Father of the Filip...
lee mas...
The Filipino People Before the Arrival of the Spaniards
The Filipino People Before the Arrival of the Spaniards
April-May 2016--Position of Tribes – on the Spaniards, the population of the Philippines seems to have been distributed by tribes in much the same manner as at present. Then, as now, the Bisayas occupied the centra...
lee mas...
Leonardo's Lover probably painted the Prado's Mona Lisa
Leonardo's Lover probably painted the Prado's Mona Lisa
April 2012--The Prado’s copy of the Mona Lisa was most likely painted by Salaì, Leonardo’s assistant and reputed lover. Salaì, whose nickname means “little Satan”, joined his master’s...
lee mas...