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Raphael Bosano

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<div></div><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments" id="isPasted"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17107611676101710761164860.png" alt="Melvin Vitor with his work, “Kulbahinam nga Laraw.” Rafael Bosano, ABS-CBN News" class="fr-fil fr-dib"/><figcaption>Elvin Vitor with his work, “Kulbahinam nga Laraw.” Rafael Bosano, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure><div> </div>BACLAYON, Bohol — From fine wrinkles on his subject’s hands, pores on the nose, all the way to the glare on their eyes, Elvin Vitor captured them all with ease — the only difference is he used not a camera, but a canvas, paint brush, and oil pastel.It’s his depiction of Pedro Angco, an environmentalist and fellow artist in Bohol, that led him to greater international recognition.Vitor is set to receive the Leonardo Da Vinci International Prize in Milan, Italy in April. Locally, he is already known to fellow Boholanos for his work which focuses on hyperrealism, a genre in visual arts where images look extremely true-to-life.But his artistic nature does not stop there -- by digging deeper into his subconscious mind, values and advocacies, he meticulously embeds this on his hyperrealist paintings to produce what he calls hyper surrealism.Vitor&#x27;s paintings reflect not only his extreme talent but also his desire of preserving the Boholano culture.“The tattoos of Boholanos, or pintados as they are known, are not common anymore. Through paintings I can give value and immortalized the identity of a Boholano,” he said.A member of his local church’s worship team, Vitor is vocal in saying that this latest feat is not his work alone.“If I don’t have this talent God gave me, then I won’t be here. I have nothing. This is a God-given talent. I am just a steward in this talent. Hindi ko ito inaangkin (this isn’t only mine). As a steward, my responsibility is to develop and then enhance because God will bless you more with a lot of wisdom and knowledge,” he said.<div> Giving back</div>In his spare time, Vitor teaches art to children in his community.For him, this is a way of inspiring others to take roads less travelled especially at a time when younger people tend to forget culture and art in favor of technology and games.While he admits that his dream of putting Bohol on the world map for arts and culture is not an easy one to realize, patience and a nurturing environment -- one he willingly and selflessly shares -- may just turn this into a reality.“I am not doing this for fame. I am doing this to give a legacy and the future Boholano artist will be inspired to dream big just like me; a simple Boholano who loves the culture of our beloved Bohol, Philippines and showcase our culture to the international audience,” Vitor said.“It is my noble cause, that’s why I dedicated my life in becoming a full time artist.”Having suffered with severe myopia at a young age, it seemed ironic for someone like Vitor to be very engaged and excel in the world of visual arts.But he said it was actually his being legally blind that brought him closer to art, together with the influence of his father.For Vitor, his struggle while growing up -- both physically and financially -- is something he wouldn’t want artistically-inclined children in his community to experience.Following the onslaught of typhoon Odette in 2020 which devastated many parts of Bohol, Vitor sold his paintings and donated all that he earned to those affected, as well as the church.Now that he is well on his way to carving a name for himself in the field of painting and visual arts, Vitor vows to continue helping Bohol, its people, and its culture.“Sino ba naman si Elvin para maka-receive ng ganito? Ang saya-saya ko po,” Vitor said.(Who am I to receive something like this? I am really overjoyed!)

From fine wrinkles on his subject’s hands, pores on the nose, all the way to the glare on their eyes, Melvin Vitor captured them all with ease — the only difference is he used not a camera, but a canvas, paint brush, and oil pastel.

From fine wrinkles on his subject’s hands, pores on the nose, all the way to the glare on their eyes, Melvin Vitor captured them all with ease — the only difference is he used not a camera, but a canvas, paint brush, and oil pastel.

Boholano artist to receive Leonardo Da Vinci International Prize for true-to-life paintings

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Boholano artist to receive Leonardo Da Vinci International Prize for true-to-life paintings

Raphael Bosano,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 18, 2024 07:26 PM PHT

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Updated Mar 18, 2024 09:00 PM PHT

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