Artist Yonzon’s book is out, to be launched on May 24

THE art community celebrates the 100th birthdate of one of the most accomplished painters in the Philippines, Hugo C. Yonzon, Jr. This will be marked with the launch of a coffee-table book on May 24, 2024, Friday, 4 pm at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts Atrium in Diliman. Titled “Matayog na Puno: The Life and Art of Hugo C. Yonzon Jr.,” the book is written by veteran journalist Neal Cruz and author Boboy Yonzon.

Hugo won numerous awards in the so-called traditional and modern categories, and garnered major prizes as photographer, cartoonist and caricaturist, and book illustrator. Born on May 24, 1924, he started his career in advertising in the late 40s and, 20 years after, moved his tools and skills to the newspaper world. According to Cruz, who was managing editor with Manila Chronicle, Evening News, Daily Express, and Daily Globe said: “Yonzon, despite his enormous accomplishments, was so humble, he never approached us for press releases even if he had so many friends in the media.”

Yonzon died in October, 1994, at a relatively young age of 70. His paintings grace the walls of major banks such as Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and Metrobank, government institutions such as the Development Academy of the Philippines and National Economic Development Authority, and homes of discriminating art lovers here and abroad.

Family, friends, and admirers will be on hand to honor him with this book. Published by the Onyx Owl, the biography-cum-monograph will reveal Yonzon—the artist, family man—with his foibles, warts and strengths. The celebration, in addition to the book launch, will be laced with music numbers, dance, tributes, and merienda cena. It is open to the public.