Ac-ac–national artist from Paete in the making

LUIS Ac-ac with his sculptures at the recent “Grace and Gratitude” exhibit of Paete’s visual artists at the St. Benedict Church in Laguna. Photo by Ma. Esther Salcedo Posadas, Contributor

The town of Paete in Laguna has long been known for its talented sculptors but it has yet to come up with a nationally recognized artist.

Luis Ac-ac was nominated in 2009 for the “Iskultura” segment and is still in the running for the title and recognition.  According to Ac-ac, it often takes many years before a decision is made, like perhaps a decade or so.

Ac-ac grew up around woodworking shops. He narrated that as early as Grade 6, he would be sent by his parents to help out in surfacing work. Sculpting involves four steps, namely blocking, detailing, surfacing, sanding/varnishing.

He eventually went to the UP College of Fine Arts but only reached third year in college due to limited funds.  It was around that time that he also apprenticed with the well-known Abueva but lasted for just a month.

SOMEONE once tagged him as the “Norman Rockwell of the Philippines.” Photo by Ma. Esther Salcedo Posadas, Contributor

“Hindi ko kursunada ang abstract (I’m not fond of abstract art),” he recalls.  Even then, he already had a sense of his own design philosophy that he describes as “conservative classic.”

By 1974, he would work for the advertising agency of Pete Roa (Cabrera, Cruz, Roa, and Associates) for about a year then moved on to work as book illustrator for other companies and eventually pursued freelance work as comics illustrator.

It was around 1978 to 79 when Ac-ac finally decided to stay in Paete and focus on woodcarving.  He started sculpting religious figures such as the Sto. Niño and Sacred Heart and would sell to shops in Evangelista or Quiapo for approximately P190 to P250 a piece.

When the 80s came around, Ac-ac started to find interest in doing exhibits and thus he shifted some of his work into producing handcrafted sculptures of Filipino rural scenes, somewhat reminiscent of the themes used by the renowned painter Amorsolo.

His first one-man exhibit happened in the late ’80s at the Vizcarra Gallery in Mabini.  He remembers how he felt as he arrived at the gallery, “Parang excited at nag-aalangan nang umakyat sa gallery kasi baka walang dumating.  Nang umakyat, maraming bisita pala.”  (Felt excitement and trepidation as I went up the gallery thinking that perhaps no one will come.  When I went up, I discovered there were many visitors.”  According to Ac-ac, his works were practically sold out on the first day.

From 1987 to 1997, Ac-ac did regular exhibits (every other year) with Gallery Genesis at SM Mega Mall.  During a chat in the late ’90s with his former UP Professor, he received an advice.

“Puwede ka nang hindi mag-exhibit dahil may pangalan ka na. (You can already stop doing exhibits because you already have a name.)”  Ac-ac continues that he took the advice to heart and has chosen to do occasional exhibits only such as his recent display at the St. Benedict Parish Church in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

His customers now visit him in Paete and he can also do portraits for around P35,000.  He would usually require four pictures: one front, two sides, and one back.  He has done the bust sculptures of Cory Aquino and Ramon Revilla.

In an exhibit at the Pinto Art Gallery last year, his buyers included Imee Marcos and Chavit Singson, according to Ac-ac. Back in 2008, he was also commissioned to do 16 murals depicting the history of the Filipino people that was used for the Philippine Fiesta at the San Francisco Civic Center.

Ac-ac continues to this day to receive special assignments.  At the moment, he is working on the face sculpture of the late Pope John Paul II to be used for his canonization in Rome.  According to Ac-ac, the actual clothes of the pope will be used to dress his sculpture.

At the moment, he is also reconsidering doing more exhibits again.  Perhaps it is a matter of time before the whole world discovers another Filipino talent and genius.