Guillermo Tolentino was a renowned Filipino sculptor known as the "Father of Philippine Arts". He was born in 1890 in Malolos, Bulacan and showed an early talent for sculpture, molding clay figures as a child. He studied sculpture formally in the Philippines and abroad, graduating from the University of the Philippines' School of Fine Arts. Some of Tolentino's most famous works include the iconic "Oblation" statue at UP and the "Bonifacio Monument" in Caloocan. He received numerous honors over his career, including being named a National Artist of the Philippines in 1973. Tolentino is regarded as the foremost master of sculpting the human form in Philippine

1. "Father of
Philippine Arts"
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2. National Artist for
Sculpture (1973)
(July 24, 1890 – July 12, 1976)

3. BIOGRAPHY
• Guillermo Tolentino was born
in Malolos, Bulacan.
• He was the fourth of eight
children.
• His father was a tailor, whose
only artistic trait is the love of
playing the guitar.
• Memong, as his family called
him, inherited this artistic
skill. Moreover, Memong
became one of the three best
guitar players in the
Philippines during his time.
• Before his formal schooling,
he used to mold horses and
dogs in clay, out of the
materials from the banks of
the fishponds in town.
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4. EDUCATION
• In 1915, he graduated in
Painting and Sculpture in the
School of Fine Arts, with
prizes in all subjects taken.
• By year 1919 he decided to
go to America and work as a
waiter. Bernard Baruch saw
his small statue "Freedom"
and granted him scholarship
in Ecole de Beaux Arts.
• Guillermo Tolentino travelled
Europe and study in Regge
Instituto Superiore di Belle
Arti di Roma in Rome.
• He studied at the Malolos
Intermediate School. From
fifth to sixth grade, his teacher
was Mrs. H.A. Bordner who
also gave him his first
instructions in drawing.
• In the afternoons, he attended
classes at the School of Fine
Arts, University of the
Philippines.
• He took drawing classes under
Vicente Rivera. Later on, he
decided to take lessons in
sculpture too, under Vicente
Francisco. Soon, he was more
interested in sculpture than in
painting.
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6. CAREER
• The "Oblation" was made the
same time with "Bonifacio
Monument".
• He was appointed as Director
for School of Fine Arts and in
1955 after resignation he was
named as Professor
Emeritus.
• He obtained also Sculptor of
the Year from Philippine
Institute of Architects.
• Guillermo Tolentino returned
home in 1923, then he opened
his own studio in Manila.
• In 1926, he was appointed as
instructor for sculpture in
School of Fine Arts in
University of the Philippines.
• He won the design and
commissioning of "The
Bonifacio Monument" in 1930
and finish its installation in
1933.
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7. “It is beyond doubt that Professor Tolentino is the first
and last master in the representation of the human
form in the Philippines.” --- Napoleon V. Abueva
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STORY OF MY LIFE

8. FAMOUS ARTWORK
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"Oblation"
• The Oblation (Filipino: Pahinungod, Oblasyon)
• Iconic symbol of the University of the Philippines.
• It depicts a man facing upward with arms outstretched,
symbolizing selfless offering of oneself to his country.
• The idea for the Oblation was first conceived during the
presidency of Rafael Palma, who was the one to
commission Tolentino to make the sculpture.
"The Bonifacio Monument"
• A memorial monument in Caloocan, Philippines to
commemorate Philippine revolutionary Andrés Bonifacio,
the founder and Supremo of the Katipunan.
• The monument 13.7 m (45 ft) in height with symbolic
images and other features known as the "Cry of
Balintawak" is acclaimed as one of the best monuments in
the world.
• Opened: 30 November 1933
Beginning date: 30 November 1929

9. "The Bonifacio Monument"
"Oblation"
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10. Medals for the Ramon
Magsaysay Award
Filipinas in Bondage
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11. Alma Mater statue of the
University of the East
Marble statue of Ramon Magsaysay
in GSIS Building
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12. LIST OF AWARDS
• Republic Cultural
Heritage Award in
1967
• President's Medal
of Merit in 1973
• Diwa ng Lahi
Award in 1972
• National Artist
Award in 1973.
• He obtained also
Sculptor of the Year
from Philippine
Institute of Architecs.
• He received various
awards and citations
such as UNESCO
Cultural Award in
Sculpture in 1959
• Araw ng Maynila Award
in Sculpture in 1963,
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