STO. TOMAS—More than 200 young students in this quiet agricultural town had the opportunity to get free painting lessons from international Filipino painter Daniel Macabitas.

Macabitas, whose works had been exhibited in at least 11 countries, held a series of painting workshops where he shared his passion and skills to public elementary and high school students here.

The program was an initiative of Mayor Vivien Villar.

The participants were also provided free transport and art materials for the hands-on training.

“This support from the local government is something I only saw here in Sto. Tomas because in some areas, the students were asked to pay P25 per session and had to buy their own materials. But here, everything is free,” Macabitas said.

The cost was covered by Villar who is set to step down next year as she finishes her final term.

Following the initial series of workshops, a group called Los Arangos de Sto. Tomas (The Shells of Sto. Tomas) has been formed to symbolize “the coming out from their shells through art,” Macabitas said

One session covers two hours in the morning and another two in the afternoon every Saturday.

Last month, after their fifth session for five successive weeks, 15 paintings of his students were featured in an exhibit-competition at the public high school here.

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The first prize was awarded to Bonifacio Alvarado Jr. who has a down syndrome.

The panel of judges included Macabitas and his manager, Nigel Anthony Smith, who handles his international exhibits.

The group will hold a bigger exhibit in December.

Macabitas, born and raised to a poor family in the nearby town of Villasis, said the works of his students here reflect the culture of Sto. Tomas children, whom he describes as “very religious, very disciplined, they have respect for parents and very hopeful.”

“I have proven that if these children are given free materials, they could produce wonderful and splendid works,” he said.

Macabitas started his exhibits abroad in 1987 in the Austrian Embassy in Madrid sponsored by Ambassador Gerhard Gmoser. His other exhibits were sponsored by the Cultural Attache of Canadian Embassy Rene Picard.

Picard was instrumental in selling two of Macabitas’ paintings to singer Sir Elton John.

Fifteen years ago, Macabitas started conducting painting lessons in the Philippines. His students vary from age six to 84, and persons with disabilities.

“You should know how to do basic things and break them. You do them to make them unique because in the world of art, if you’re not unique, you won’t go anywhere. You must do something that is unique,” Macabitas, an abstract expressionist, told his young wards. – Eva Visperas

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