Fil Delacruz

Filimon "Fil" Delacruz (born 1950) is a National artist nominee, visual artist and a master printmaker who specializes in mezzotint prints, a printmaking process used to achieve producing half tones without the use of line or dot based techniques such as hatching, stippling and pointillism. His works is known for being rich in ethnic imageries and indigenous symbols. He is a former president of the Philippine Association of the Printmakers and a former senior lecturer of college of fine arts in University of the Philippines Diliman.

Early life and education

Delacruz was born on November 22, 1950, in Hagonoy, Bulacan. He is the father of Janos Delacruz, an award-winning printmaker. He studied in University of Santo Tomas College of Architecture and Fine Arts and pursued Advertising major. During his early years, he is fond of participating national competitions, which he wins consistently especially in the annual art competition by the Art Association of the Philippines (AAP). He is an awardee of Benavidez Award for Outstanding Achievement.

Career history

From 1992 to 1995, Delacruz worked as a senior lecturer at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts in Diliman, Quezon City. He is currently residing in his studio named "Bahay Sining", which is located in Muntinlupa together with his son, Janos. Delacruz is holding art workshops in the Artist Gallery BF located in Paranaque.

Awards, distinctions and achievements

Award Year Competition First prize 1971 YMCA 19th Annual Students Art Competition of the Philippines First honorable mention 1972 1st AFA Group Sculpture Contest, UST Second honorable mention 1972 2nd Annual on-the-Spot Painting Contest, Public Recreation Bureau First honorable mention 1973 Photography Contest, UST Annual Students’ Art Competition First prize 1973 Graphic Arts Competition, UST Annual Students’ Art Competition Benavidez Awardee 1973 University of Santo Tomas College of Architecture and Fine Arts Honorable mention 1974 Rotary Club, On-the-Spot Watercolor Painting Contest Grand prize 1975 Bancom Graphic Arts Competition Gold medal 1980 34th Annual Art Competition, Art Association of the Philippines Grand prize 1982 35th Annual Art Competition, Art Association of the Philippines Finalist 1982 First International Biennial for Print, Republic of China Grand prize 1983 36th Annual Art Competition, Art Association of the Philippines 1985 Outstanding Bulakeño in the Field of Arts Honorable mention 1986 Art Association of the Philippines, Rotary Open Art Competition, Graphic Art Experimental Category Second prize 1986 Art Association of the Philippines, Rotary Open Art Competition Best entry 1989-1980 Light Foundation Art Competition 1992 Philippine Representative to the Republic of Namibia, Global Print Porfoliio Thirteen Artists Awardee 1992 Cultural Center of the Philippines Senior lecturer, College of Fine Arts, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1992-1995 President, Philippine Association of Printmakers 1995 First prize 1998 Graphic Arts Category, National Commission for Culture and Arts Third Biennial Arts Competition