THE BOOK’S soft launch about the life of Premiere Ecclesiastical artist Willy Tadeo Layug was held at the Event Center of SM City Pampanga
The book which will be formally launched sometime in August was written by Laya Boquiren,and talks about Layug’s rise to fame from his hardships as a struggling artist and his eventual rise as one of the country’s most sought after wood carving artist. The book is also a catalogue of Layug’s many works all over the country and abroad. Layug’s works could be seen as far as Mindanao and even in rome. Layug said that the book is aimed at putting into print his life lessons as an artist.
Laya, being the author is a PhD candidate, with a Master of Arts in Art History from the University of the Philippines. Her family is from Olongapo City. At present, she is the professor from the University of Asia and the Pacific. In addition, she has served as curatorial consultant for Museo de Intramuros, Gallery Genesis, and several international projects.Boquiren has authored three books under Vibal Publishing Company and has written for Art map Hong Kong, the CCP Encyclopedia of the Arts, and a few peer-reviewed journals. laya is a 2017 Kritika Fellow and a memeber of the International Society of Ethnology and Folklore.
International Photographer from Betis, Pampanga Ruston Banal did the photography for the book. He is currently a visual effects artist of the presitgious Lucie Awards in New York and heads the International Photography Awards Philippines. Aside from several collaborations with international photographers, he also worked as a cinematographer for several award-winning indie films like Manenaya (Waiting), a Kapampangan film that won the jury-prize in the 2012 Cinemalaya. He conceptualized and helped create the film entitled Dukit (woodcarved) directed by Armando Lao. He is a 3-time Ani ng Dangal Awardee of the national Commission for the Culture and Arts and has won international awards for his visual narrative entitled “Kuraldal”. Ruston is a long-time friend of the artist.
Guests during the soft launch were SM Supermalls Senior Vice President for Communication Ms. Millie Dizon.
