The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
It was amazing how it took him only less than five minutes to finish a quick pen-and-ink portrait of myself, warts and all, when I stumbled upon him recently.
I was a guest, one of tens of thousands, at the 70th birthday celebration of an old friend, Mario Mamon, my high school classmate in De La Salle Lipa, held in his own, expansive royal turf, the Enchanted Kingdom on July 13.
I happened by the lobby of this cavernous white tent where I saw people lining up to sit. It turned out they were there for a quick portraiture by the artist, Tom Alvarado, who moved with such grace, confidence, and deft, as he worked on his art.
Tom, who is part of the Tourism, Arts and Culture Council of Sta Cruz Laguna, is a multifaceted artist, musician, and entrepreneur at 64. He is the guy behind Tom Alvarado Obratory and Art Gallery, located at Metro Central Mall in his hometown, Sta. Cruz, Laguna.
He is also known for his fascination with polar opposites: surrealism and quick portraiture.
Discover more of Tom Alvarado’s recent works in a twinbill exhibit, Guhit at Lilok, from September 21 to 30 at UAS Art Hub and Gallery, on Gen. Solano Street, San Miguel, Manila.
Partner artist is Ameer Catandihan, fellow Lagunense from Pila.
Formerly based in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for 13 years, where he won awards and accolades as an international artist, he combines painting and performing in his line of work.
To quote from his resume:
“Alvarado’s work spans various mediums and techniques, allowing him to create one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Beyond his personal creations, he is also a dedicated mentor with a heart for education and a visionary approach to art, inspiring and guiding young aspiring artists.”
There is a strong spiritual side to many of Tom’s paintings. A case in point is one called Ascension, which captures “a surreal transition from an old, decaying world into a realm of new consciousness, a higher existence marked by a swirling mix of vibrant colors.”
In many other instances, his love of country shines through as he pays homage to the home country, the Philippines, in a number of paintings, showcasing our breathtaking scenery, rich culture and traditions.
Born in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, Tom showed early on an inclination towards creativity. He, however, neither attended art school nor attended workshops. He graduated with a degree in Commerce, with Accountancy as his major, but ended up nonetheless with a nomination for Presidential Pamana ng Lahi Award in 2018.
“It was all intuitive on my part,” he tells me as he handed me my portrait, capturing me as a wickedly handsome young man, as if I was in my glorious 30s, which fooled yet flattered me no end.
Tom is as versatile as they come, dabbling in murals, portraits, surrealist and abstract renderings.
To top it all, he even sings Filipino songs that put you and him at ease and in the mood while you sit.
In Dubai, UAE, he became widely known as “The Singing Painter.”
Unfortunately, because of the long line that had gathered behind us that evening, Tom didn’t have the time nor the inclination to perform, much less, hum an OPM or an old kundiman.
He considers among his most notable achievements the Ina ng Bayan art exhibit featuring 30 of his works in acrylic which was unveiled in 2015 at the Philippine Consulate in the Middle East before an assembly of distinguished diplomats and dignitaries.
He was to become the first Filipino artist to be exhibited in the Philippine consulates in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Giving back is just as important as committing oneself to his art.
Tom knows this by heart. He conducts workshops for young artists, inspiring them to express themselves, to step out of their comfort zones.
“We must realize that promoting an artist does not only uplift the individual, but collectively, all artists as well.”
(Tom Alvarado can be reached at Tom Alvarado Obratory and Gallery, 2nd Floor Metro Central Mall, National Road, Labuin, Sta Cruz, Laguna. Mobile: 0905-374-6935.
His socials: Facebook Page: TomAlvarado Obra and Art Gallery; IG: Tomalvaradouae; Messenger: Tom Alvarado).