Growing up in Frisco, Quezon City, in the ’60s, Gene de Loyola knew he had a dab hand sketching human figures and street scenes.
After school time, he would spend hours practicing and developing his skill, influenced by Braulio Dayao, an artist renowned for his landscape and portraiture works.
De Loyola’s friends began to notice his evolving technique, which was marked by a mix of soft hues and striking imagery.
He now owns the distinction of having four paintings hung permanently at the National Museum, where he has also restored a few masterpieces by older, departed peers.
He continues to draw admiration from his peers and the public with his appealing landscapes and portraitures. Last year he was invited to Germany and other European countries by art circles deeply impressed by the 56-year-old artisan who has four daughters equally well-versed in art and culture. Dick Malay