Manolito Tolentino Mayo
Encyclopedia
Manolito Tolentino Mayo (December 17, 1954 - May 4, 1983) locally known as Toto Mayo or Lito Mayo , was a Philippine artist who won several major competitions while in the University of Santo Tomas
, including the 1973 Sculpture and Graphics Awards, 1977 AAP Graphic Arts Competition, and the 1980 Critic's Choice Awards for Graphic Arts. He was believed to be the very first punk in the Philippines, thru his hairstyle, looks, lifestyle and his artworks. He also actively supported the alternative music in the mid-1970s.
His early work in college was heavily inspired by Cubism
, wood print blocks and sculpture
s. Mayo established himself in graphic arts
, with print plate etching as his major technique. Intaglio
, xerographics, and silkscreen processes were also
incorporated into his early works. Business Day writer Angel G. De Jesus wrote that Mayo was 'a surrealistic expressionist with a satiric sense of humor.'
Manolito Mayo was born in Lipa City
, Batangas
, the eldest son, and second child, of entrepreneur Sebastian Mayo, and Belen Tolentino Mayo. He studied at De La Salle Lipa
in high school. Eventually, he enrolled in the University of Santo Tomas
where he befriended two of the most talented artists of the 1970s - Fernando Modesto and Omi Velasquez.
Mayo's subjects and compositions usually embodied magical themes, amulets, animal people, and subconscious wonderings. In his work Pula Puti, he depicted a cockfight
scene with roosters having human forms - the two gladiatorial roosters having strong, muscular physiques.
University of Santo Tomas
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...
, including the 1973 Sculpture and Graphics Awards, 1977 AAP Graphic Arts Competition, and the 1980 Critic's Choice Awards for Graphic Arts. He was believed to be the very first punk in the Philippines, thru his hairstyle, looks, lifestyle and his artworks. He also actively supported the alternative music in the mid-1970s.
His early work in college was heavily inspired by Cubism
Cubism
Cubism was a 20th century avant-garde art movement, pioneered by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, that revolutionized European painting and sculpture, and inspired related movements in music, literature and architecture...
, wood print blocks and sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
s. Mayo established himself in graphic arts
Graphic arts
A type of fine art, graphic art covers a broad range of art forms. Graphic art is typically two-dimensional and includes calligraphy, photography, drawing, painting, printmaking, lithography, typography, serigraphy , and bindery. Graphic art also consists of drawn plans and layouts for interior...
, with print plate etching as his major technique. Intaglio
Intaglio (printmaking)
Intaglio is a family of printmaking techniques in which the image is incised into a surface, known as the matrix or plate, and the incised line or area holds the ink. Normally, copper or zinc plates are used as a surface, and the incisions are created by etching, engraving, drypoint, aquatint or...
, xerographics, and silkscreen processes were also
incorporated into his early works. Business Day writer Angel G. De Jesus wrote that Mayo was 'a surrealistic expressionist with a satiric sense of humor.'
Manolito Mayo was born in Lipa City
Lipa City
The Lipa City /Li-pâ/ is a first class city in the province of Batangas, Philippines. It is one of the three component cities of Batangas province...
, Batangas
Batangas
Batangas is a first class province of the Philippines located on the southwestern part of Luzon in the CALABARZON region. Its capital is Batangas City and it is bordered by the provinces of Cavite and Laguna to the north and Quezon to the east. Across the Verde Island Passages to the south is the...
, the eldest son, and second child, of entrepreneur Sebastian Mayo, and Belen Tolentino Mayo. He studied at De La Salle Lipa
De La Salle Lipa
De La Salle Lipa, or DLSL is a Lasallian educational institution located in Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines. It is the latest of the third generation of La Salle schools founded by the De La Salle Brothers in the country: La Salle Academy-Iligan in 1958, La Salle Green Hills in 1959, Saint...
in high school. Eventually, he enrolled in the University of Santo Tomas
University of Santo Tomas
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...
where he befriended two of the most talented artists of the 1970s - Fernando Modesto and Omi Velasquez.
Mayo's subjects and compositions usually embodied magical themes, amulets, animal people, and subconscious wonderings. In his work Pula Puti, he depicted a cockfight
Cockfight
A cockfight is a blood sport between two roosters , held in a ring called a cockpit. Cockfighting is now illegal throughout all states in the United States, Brazil, Australia and in most of Europe. It is still legal in several U.S. territories....
scene with roosters having human forms - the two gladiatorial roosters having strong, muscular physiques.