IN honor of one of its foremost sons who was hailed as “Father of Modern Arts,” the Dagupan City Council passed an ordinance on Wednesday declaring every 23rd day of December as “Victorio Edades Day” in Dagupan.

The ordinance was sought by the executive committee of the last Dagupan City fiesta that organized an arts contest in honor of Edades, who became one of the country’s national artists in 1976.

Councilor Jeslito Seen, author of the ordinance, said Edades’ extraordinary achievements and courage continue to bring honor and pride to his place of birth –Dagupan – even after his death.

Born on December 23, 1895 to Hilario and Cecilia Edades in Barrio Bolosan, Dagupan, Edades carved his name when he introduced modern arts in the Philippines.

Despite the shock he caused in the arts circle by his introduction of a different style, Edades remained with his artistic creativity against the traditional arts.

In 1938, Edades opened up the Atelier of Modern Art at M.H. del Pilar, Manila together with Diosdado Lorenzo and Galo Ocampo. In 1940, he organized the School of Design with Juan Nakpil.

Edades spearheaded the formation of the “Thirteen Moderns”, that included Carlos Francisco, Galo Ocampo, Diosdado Lorenzo, Vicente Manansala, H.R. Ocampo, Anita Magasaysay, Legaspi, Demetrio Diego, Ricarte Purugganan, Jose Pardo, Bonifacio Cristobal, Arsenio Capili and himself, in order to form a cohesive unit of artists who were in search of a modern style.

Among Edades’ famous artworks are: The Sketch (1928), The Builders (1928), Interaction with Carlos Francisco and Galo Ocampo (1935) and Kasaysayan (1979).

Before his death on March 7, 1985, Edades earned the Pro Patria award during the Rizal Centennial Celebration in 1961, the Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan Award during the Araw ng Maynila in 1964, and the National Artist Award in Painting in 1976.

Some of Edades’ most famous works are now on display at the Dagupan City Museum. (Leonardo Micua)

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