Benedicto Cabrera

Benedicto Reyes Cabrera (born April 10, 1942), better known as "BenCab", is a Filipino painter who was conferred a National Artist of the Philippines for Visual Arts (Painting) in 2006. He has been noted as "arguably the best-selling painter of his generation of Filipino artists."

Early life and education BenCab was born to Democrito Cabrera and Isabel Reyes in Malabon, Philippines on April 10, 1942. He was the youngest of nine children. Their middle child, Mayumi, was born in Manila in 1973 and became a successful model both in London and Los Angeles. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her partner, John A. Fries, and their two children, Ronan (2011) and Ione (2013). Their youngest, Jasmine was born in 1977, the mother of Sienna Daphne (b. 2016), and lives in Quezon City.

When BenCab returned to the Philippines in 1972, he was hailed as a Filipino pioneer of the arts and a significant influence among his peers. However, he returned to London once more in 1974, partly to get away from the tightening grip of Martial Law, which Ferdinand Marcos had declared in 1972. That event is said to have "marked the beginning of 's passionate involvement with social commentary and the topics of repression and freedom,"

His Larawan series was developed out of his nostalgia for the Philippines. He and Caroline used to scour local flea markets all over Europe looking for early maps and prints of the Philippines. This collection became the basis for his Larawan series.

In 1985, however, BenCab's 16-year marriage with Kennedy ended in divorce, and he eventually decided to come home to the Philippines.

The Baguio years BenCab eventually returned to the Philippines, and settled in the City of Baguio in Northern Luzon, eventually putting up a studio and a secluded little farm on Asin road, in the nearby town of Tuba, Benguet. He and a small group of fellow artists - visual artist Santiago Bose, filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik, and sculptor Ben Hur Villanueva, among others, established the Baguio Arts Guild (BAG). It was during this period in his career that BenCab began to more deeply explore the use handmade paper as a medium on which to work. He was also conferred Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa by the University of the Cordilleras in 2018. His other notable recognitions and awards are enumerated below:

1962

Second Prize, Painting, Shell National Student Art Competition

1963

First Prize, Painting, University of the Philippines Student Council Art Competition

1967

First Prize, Photography, 20th Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) Annual Exhibition & Competition Second Prize, Photography, 20th AAP Annual Exhibition & Competition Third Honorable Mention, Photography, 20th AAP Annual Exhibition & Competition

1969

Philippine Representative, VI Paris Biennale

1970

Thirteen Artists Award, Cultural Center of the Philippines

1988

Kalinangan (Cultural) Award For Painting, City of Manila

1991

President, Baguio Arts Guild

1992

Gawad CCP Para Sa Sining (CCP Awards For The Arts) for Visual Arts, Cultural Center of the Philippines

1993

Chairman, 4th Baguio Arts Festival

1994

Most Outstanding Kapampangan For Arts & Culture (Painting) Award, given by President Ramos on Pampanga Day

1997

ASEAN Achievement Award, for Visual & Performing Arts, 5th ASEAN Achievement Awards, ASEAN Business Forum, Jakarta Outstanding Citizen of Baguio Award for Arts, given by the mayor of Baguio on the city’s 88th Foundation Day

2005

Invited by the Singapore Tyler Print Institute to join their Visiting Artists Programme as artist-in residence for one month working on large-scale prints & paperpulp painting.

2006

Conferred the Order of National Artist for Visual Arts by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacanan Palace.

2011

Holy Angel University Juan D. Nepomuceno Cultural Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts