Manuel Baldemor

Manuel Baldemor is a Filipino painter, sculptor, printmaker, writer and book illustrator. He was born on March 26, 1947, in Paete, Laguna, Philippines.

He is best known for his paintings on various media that depict scenes in simplified geometric forms with a folk art character. Most of his subjects in art are his hometown, its people, their everyday activities, and their celebrations.

His works are known not only in the Philippines but also in other countries. He is an artist-in-residence in Chile, Estonia, France, Israel, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland and Portugal. His works is known internationally because UNICEF is reproducing his works as greeting cards that are distributed worldwide.

Early career and education

Manuel Baldemor studied at the University of Santo Tomas College of Architecture and Fine Arts (CAFA), which later became the College of Architecture and the College of Fine Arts and Design. While a student, he worked with Mabini artists to support himself financially. His classmates often sought his help with their academic art plates, recognizing his distinctive skill and style.

During his stay, he was influenced by modernist principles introduced by National Artist Victorio Edades. Baldemor was later featured in exhibitions tracing the roots of modern art in the Philippines, alongside other prominent artists shaped by Edades’ legacy. The next year, his mural work "Paete II" won the same prize. His consecutive wins paved the way for him to become a representative of the Philippines for the XIV International Art Exhibition in Paris in 1973. The art critic, Leonides Benesa, hails him as "The Folk Artist".

In the 1970s he developed his own brand of art that had fused his rural memories. He created several works depicting the Philippine ideal through Folk Modernist treatment. His first exhibit "The Graphic of Manuel D. Baldemor" at the Hidalgo Gallery in 1972 marked the debut of his career.

Rosalinda Orosa, an art connoisseur and columnist, called him "The Chronicle of the Motherland" for depicting the beauty of all the places of the Philippines. In 1992, the Cultural Center of the Philippines awarded him as one of the Thirteen Artist Awardees as recognition for his contributions to the country. England, Switzerland, Russia, Spain, Portugal, in Europe; United States, Mexico, and Chile in Asia. Each country he visited became a topic and subject for his art. He became known as an International Artist and also the Most Travelled Artist for traveling to more than 50 countries.

In 1995, he marked his 25th anniversary as an artist with an exhibit at the Artists’ Corner in SM Megamall, featuring two works: "Sining Bayan", which reflected his Filipino identity, and "The Global Village", which highlighted his international engagements. Ambassadors from countries where he had served as an artist-in-residence attended as guests of honor. now permanently displayed at the United Nations Center in Vienna, Austria. His international recognition continued in 2013 when Ambassador Carlos C. Salinas opened his exhibit Symphony of Colors in Madrid, as part of the Philippines–Spain Friendship Day celebrations, further reflecting the international scope of Baldemor’s artistic career.

He is also a sculptor. In 1982 he won his fourth gold prize for sculpture at the Annual Art Association of the Philippines Competition with his piece "Tribute to the Filipino Farmer," exhibited at the City Gallery in Luneta in 1980, as a tribute to his father, Perfecto S. Baldemor. In 1999, he represented the Philippines at the 3rd Inami International Wooden Sculpture Camp in Toyama Prefecture, Japan, where he produced the monumental "Pamilyang Pilipino," measuring 1m wide by 4m high.

He showed his skills as a graphic designer by making souvenir programs for the XI World Congress of Cardiology in 1991, the XXII International Conference on Internal Medicine in 1994, and other commemorative books about the history and cultivation of the Philippines.

In 1980, he was awarded "Gawad Sikap" for Visual Arts for the 400th anniversary of his hometown. Paetenians International Northeast Chapter acknowledged him as the "Paetenian of the Year" in 1985 and one of the "Ten Outstanding Living Paetenians" in 2000. He was also awarded as one of the "Natatanging Buhay na Anak ng Bayan" in the Celebration of Balik-Paete 2004.

He sometimes leads the patronage and affirmation of Paete through his shows such as "Salubong" in Nayong Pilipino in 1978, "The Masters of Paete Exhibit" at the City Gallery, Luneta in 1980, the grand exhibition of "The Paete Phenomenon" at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the tape-recording of two historical concerts of Band 69 – "Konsyerto ng Pamanang Himig" and "Konsyerto ng Sentenaryo ng Banda" – at the UP Abelardo Hall in 1997, and the "Konsyerto ng Sentenaryo ng Kalayaan ng Bansa" inside the hundred-year Church of Paete, Laguna.

His works are known internationally because UNICEF is reproducing his works as greeting cards that are distributed worldwide He has been noted for painting both the Philippines and the world, capturing local culture while engaging with global themes. Some of his artworks have also been adapted into cross-stitch patterns and featured in exhibitions in Europe, reflecting the versatility and international appeal of his visual style.

In 2009, Baldemor completed a monumental glass mosaic mural titled "People Power", which was installed at the Basilica of St. Thérèse in Lisieux, France. Created in collaboration with French mosaicists Sylvie Henot and François Sand, the work commemorates the 1986 People Power Revolution in the Philippines. The mural is part of the basilica’s permanent collection, symbolizing peace and spiritual solidarity. Its installation marked a rare honor for a Filipino artist in one of France's most significant religious pilgrimage sites.

Notable works

Year Title and Location 2009 Mosaic at the Basilica of St. Thérèse in Lisieux, France 2013 "Moments with Christ", SM Megamall Atrium "Philippine Skyland" Salon des Délegués., UNESCO Miollis, Paris, France 2008 "The Images of the Philippines and Norway" Norway’s Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs, Norway, Iceland 2006 "Ode to the Pasig River" Ayala Museum "Through the Palette's Eye" U.P.-Jorge B. Vargas Museum and Filipiniana Research Center 2005 Philippine Exhibit, Stanford Art Spaces, Stanford University "SCAPES: Images of Time and Place" DLSU Museum 1997 Two-Man Show, Albor-Baldemor, Stadt Museum, Düsseldorf, Germany Two-Man Show, Albor-Baldemor, Landesvertretung Thuringen, Bonn, Germany 1996 "The Filipino Masters" Ericsson Telecommunications, Manila Three-Man Show, Albor-Baldemor-Olmedo, Philippine Embassy, Vienna, Italy 1992 Philippine Pavilion, Seville, Spain 1991 "Paete Phenomenon" Cultural Center of the Philippines 1990 Cultural Gallery, Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 1989 First ASEAN Symposium on Aesthetics, Workshop and Exhibition, National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 1988 International Art Festival, Saddam Art Center, Baghdad, Iraq 1987 Metropolitan Museum, Manila 1986 Bienal de la Habana, Cuba 1985 Print Council of Australia, Melbourne Asia World Art Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan 1984 Galerie Taub, Philadelphia 1982 ASEAN Traveling Art Exhibition, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Manila 1980 Madurodam Gallery, The Hague, The Netherlands 1977 Wall Panel Gallery, Tehran, Iran 1975 The Philippine Center, New York City, New York, USA1973 XIV Internationale Art Exhibition, Paris, France 1972 AAP Art Competition and Exhibition, Cultural Center of the Philippines

Books and publications

Year Title and Contributors 2010 "Manuel D. Baldemor’s European Journey of Discovery" 1996 "Painting the Global Village" with Rosalinda L. Orosa 1993 "Tales of a Rainy Night" with C. Hidalgo "Sabong" with A. Hidalgo 1992-94 Columnist, "Folio", Sunday Times Life Magazine, Philippines 1992 "Philippine Food and Life" with G.C. Fernando 1991 "The Paete Phenomenon" with I.C. Endaya 1990-94 Official UNICEF Card Design 1989 "The Philippines" with C. Nakpil & "Chile, A Discovery of Colors" with S. Fanega 1988 "Sarap" with D. Fernandez, E. Alegre 1987 "Philippine Ancestral Houses" with F. Zialcita, N. Oshima 1986 "Painture, New Lixicom of Philippine Art" with P. Zafaralla 1981 "Images of the Homeland" with M. Baterina 1980 "Tribute to the Filipino Farmers" with L. Benesa 1974 "Paete, Sketchbook of a Filipino Town" with B. Afuang 1972 "The Graphic Art of Manuel D. Baldemor" with M. Duldulao

Notable people

Angeline Baldemor

Angelito Baldemor

Angelo Baldemor

Antero Baldemor

Celoine Baldemor

Charming Baldemor

Felix "Kid" Baldemor

Fred Baldemor

Leandro Baldemor

Mailah Baldemor

Marvin Baldemor

Mike Baldemor

Nick C. Baldemor

Vince Baldemor

Walter Baldemor

Wilfredo Baldemor

Wilson Baldemor

Zoerya Emi Baldemor Abuel

Vicente Mannsala