Editing Oblation (section)

== Artist ==

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'''A.Biography'''

'''Guillermo Estrella Tolentino''' was born on July 24, 1980 in Malolos, Bulacan and passed away on July 12, 1976 in Quezon City. His parents are Isidro Tolentino and Babina Estrella.<sup>22</sup> He  married Paz Raymundo in 1932 and they had seven children: Liwanag, Dalisay, Soliman, Magligtas, Marikit, Isagani.

Other than being a visual artist, Tolentino is also known for being a good musician, particularly guitarist. He knows many languages and is also a translator. Interestingly, he is also a spiritist, which has been dismissed oftentimes but seems to be a major influence on his works.

'''B. Education'''

His first drawing teacher was a Thomasite, Mrs. H.A. Bordner, at the Malolos Intermediate School, who also made possible the publication of his first pen and ink work that inspired the student. This caught the eye of Liwayway editor Severino de los Reyes who lithographed and printed the work of the young Tolentino. His secondary education was at Manila High School. He worked for distant relatives while studying. "Alilang-kanin ako noon." he said, but with much pride.<sup>23</sup> Still self-supporting, he was able to enter the U.P. School of Fine Arts in 1915. He noticed that his seatmate was equally good, eventually the two became masters in their own field. That friend of his was no other than Fernando Amorsolo.<sup>24</sup>

In 1919, Tolentino went to Washington D.C. with only $7 and a letter to a Visayan waiter serving a downtime restaurant. He eventually got a job in a cafe in Rock Creek Park which as a favorite promenade of former U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. Tolentino would oblige his customers for sketches and this is how the private secretary of first lady, also a customer of the cafe, met him, noticed his works and made possible a meeting between the artist and the president himself.<sup>25</sup> He was able to study for two years at the Beaux Arts School in New York through the scholarship of American millionaire Bernard Baruch. He became assistant to established sculptor Gutzon Borglum who was able to meet Juan Luna and Felix Resureccion Hidalgo in Paris.<sup>26</sup>

Tolentino was able to save some money to be able to go to Europe in 1921. He toured museums and galleries in London and Paris, and was able to see the works of his personal favorite Bistolfi who was famous for his poetry in sculpture. This period was not all easy for Tolentino, it was also one of his hard times. News reached Francisco Varona, a journalist, who was able to raise funds care of the Italian Colony in Manila. Tolentino was able to study for three and a half years at the Regge Instituto Superiore de Belle Arti di Roma, with the degree of Lecenziato del Corso Superiore Librero di Scultura, graduating with highest honors.<sup>27</sup> His work "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" won second prize in the Eternal City.

Around 1924, he came back to Manila and built his own studio which he worked on for one year before becoming an instructor at the UP School of Fine Arts in 1926. He rose to become a professor, a secretary, an Acting Directory for Amorsolo in 1951, and eventually a Director in 1953. He became Professor Emeritus in 1955. It is said that he introduced Plastic Arts as a subject in the School of Fine Arts.<sup>28</sup>

'''C. Awards and Citations'''

1955 Sculptor of the Year Award (care of Philippine Institute of Architects)

1959 Award of Merit from UN Commission of the Philippines

1961 Rizal Propatria Award

1963 Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan Award for Sculpture (care of the City of Manila)

1967 The Republic Cultural Heritage Award

1970 The President's Medal of Merit

1972 Diwa ng Lahi Award

1973 National Artist Award in Sculpture