Quiapo &
the Visual Arts
Ino Manalo
People remain an important economic resource of a nation. In fact, Quiapo owes its rich history and heritage to the men and women who devoted time, energy and resources to transform it into the city it was and is today.
The history of art in Quiapo was dominated by men until families hired tutors to allow women to hone their skills in art and participate in competitions. One of the first few competitions to recognize the talents of Quiapense women was the tercentenary of Saint John of the Cross on December 12 to 14, 1891 (“Certamen literario” 23, Pilar 237).
Carmelita Zaragoza, daughter of Jose Zaragoza and Rosa Roxas of Quiapo, bagged first prize comprising of an objeto de arte and a certificate. Jose Zaragosa is the publisher of La Illustracion Filipina.
Other women honored in the competition were Petrona Nacpil y Garcia, fourth honorable mention for her landscape in oil; Luciana Garces, 10th honorable mention for her still life painting of flowers and Maria Infante del Rosario, 14th honorable mention for her portrait of a Spanish painter named Padilla and opera composer Guiseppe Verdi (Pilar 237-238).
Since women were not allowed to enroll at the Academia de Dibujo y Pintura (Academy of Drawing and Painting), Petrona’s parents might have hired tutors (Santos-Viola). She was 30 years old when she won in the 1891 art competition. She again participated in the quadricentennial celebration of the discovery of north America in 1492 held in 1892, but lost. The first prize was taken by Carmen Zaragosa for her painting, “Dos Intelligencias” (Santos-Viola).
According to Santos-Viola, Petrona joined the Exposicion Regional de Filipinas on January 23, 1895 under the pen name “Ana Capili”. Fifteen women joined and five were awarded medals, while four received honorable mentions. Three of the winners came from Quiapo. Petrona was one of the winners. Her entry consists of three paintings in oil.
A WELL OF ARTISTIC INSPIRATION. Petrona was an inspiration not only to her fellow Quiapenses but to her nieces as well (Manalo 257-258). Photo from geni.com/people/Petrona-Nakpil-Bautista/
Not long, the war among America, Spain and the Philippines escalated. The triumph of America led to the closing of the Escuela de Bellas Artes y Dibujo. Art classes were conducted in private homes instead.
The US soon called for artworks to the 1904 St. Louis Exposition. Petrona’s name was listed as “Petrona Nakpil de Bautista” (Santos-Viola). She submitted two oil paintings.
The success of the St. Loius Exposition inspired artists of Manila to form the Asociacion Internacional de Artistas de Filipinas. Rafael Enriquez was elected president and the group held its first art exhibition at the second floor of the Bazaar Filipino on Escolta Street on November 27, 1908 (Pilar 248).
The achievements of Quiapense women served as stimulant for other talented women to express their views about life, culture and politics in Quiapo, and later, the nation in general. More importantly, it opened new avenues for women to receive an education in the arts, apply for scholarships, join local and international competitions and exhibitions, and later accept commissioned works in a field which used to be male-dominated.
For more information on Petrona Nakpil and women artists click this link: bahaynakpil.org/petrona-nakpil-and-women-artists-of-quiapo-1800s.
Preview Photo: PETRONA NAKPIL is flanked by visitors to her house in Barbosa St., Quiapo, Manila. In the background is the original “Parisian Life” painting by Juan Luna (Photo by Prof. Bobbie Santos-Viola taken from Prof. Xiao Chua’s blog, www.flickr.com/photos/nccaofficial/18258240118) Header Photo: PETRONA NAKPIL Mula sa Bahay Nakpil-Bautista, Source: xiaochua.net/2013/05/17/
WORKS CITED
Manalo, Ino. “Quiapo and the Visual Arts.” Quiapo Heart of Manila, edited by Fernando Nakpil Zialcita, The Cultural Heritage Studies Program Department of Sociology and Anthropology Ateneo de Manila University and Metropolitan Museum of Manila, 2006, pp. 252-269.
Pilar, Santiago Albano. “Quiapo’s Visual Arts 1850-1930.” Quiapo Heart of Manila, edited by Fernando
Nakpil Zialcita, The Cultural Heritage Studies Program Department of Sociology and Anthropology Ateneo de Manila University and Metropolitan Museum of Manila, 2006, pp. 221-251.
Santos-Viola, Bobbi. “Petrona Nakpil and the Women Artists of Quiapo—1800s.” Bahay Nakpil-Bautista, 11 September 2014, bahaynakpil.org/petrona-nakpil-and-women-artists-of-quiapo-1800s.
Women Take the Brush
Mary Ann Majul | November 4, 2017