It's in the Cacnio Blood

The Hubby’s family has an artistic streak in their blood. His father’s uncle, Angel Cacnio, is preeminent in the Philippine art world as a visual artist whose oil and watercolour obras usually depict the rural atmosphere. His recurring theme focuses on the people and scenes from his hometown in Malabon, like cockfighting, fishing, and a family praying before a meal. I bet only a few people know that he also designed the old Php20 and Php100  bills that may still be in your wallets. Pretty cool huh?

Tatlong Sabungero. Angel Cacnio. 1953
1st Prize in the 3rd Shell National Student's Art Competition

The Hubby and I visited the old Cacnio residence/museum/gallery in Malabon some time in 2002, and we were endowed with two paintings by Lolo Angel , which he said symbolized our budding family then. What an honor it was!

Pag-asa ni Anak. Angel Cacnio. Dec. 2002                  Mabuting Ina. Angel Cacnio. Dec. 2002

Lolo Angel’s sons Ferdinand and Michael are world-class brass sculptors who have also made a name for themselves in the art scene. Their works, like their father’s, evoke the traditional Filipino life and culture.

City of Malabon Landmark. Michael Cacnio. 2001

Pasasalamat. Ferdinand Cacnio. 2006
The Fort, Taguig

Lolo Angel and Michael took up Fine Arts-Painting, while Ferdinand took BS Psychology and Civil Engineering. All of them graduated from the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Now the Daughter is also taking Fine Arts in UP Cebu. During her entrance interview, the first question the dean asked her was, “How are you related to Angel Cacnio?”

Uh, oh,
she has
some big steps
to follow.