Pangandoy details the struggles and challenges experienced by multi-awarded artist Florentino “Jun” Impas, Jr. in his journey toward success. While not everyone can appreciate or understand his artworks, Pangandoy provides a glimpse of his creativity.
The book portrays Jun Impas, a Realism and portrait visual artist. He was born in Danao City, Cebu, but his family migrated to Surigao City when he was young. He had to work part-time while studying since his father was a fisherman and his mother a housewife and could not afford to send him to school.
Pangandoy, a complex Cebuano word that means a yearning hope, celebrates his 25-year journey starting from his first solo exhibit at Montebello Villa Hotel in 1998.
Starting his art journey in Surigao City where he made posters and billboard, and later, huge advertising signs depicting movie stars, Jun discovered his love for art.
When Jun came to Cebu City, he opened an art sign shop in Parian. He realized, however, that he wanted to fulfill his pangandoy of becoming an artist. He took the risk, closing his shop, and started his journey as an aspiring artist. Success and recognition did not come easy. He went through several stages of hope, disappointment, self-doubt and despair. But instead of giving up on his aspirations, he turned these into positive thoughts and eventually fulfilled his passion for art.
Artists, Jun says, should not think about earning from their artworks. They have to work on it, patiently learning and improving their art. His experience shows that earning appreciation for one’s art comes after hard work, determination, and patience.
While he may have reached his Pangandoy after going through so much, he now has another pangandoy – helping Cebuano artists gain local and global recognition.
Indeed, Pangandoy: The Life of Jun Impas is a treasure trove. One may not be able to afford his artwork, but acquiring this coffee table book will surely enable one to appreciate his God-given talent.
The book is a chronicle of Jun’s experiences and his artworks. Anyone can derive inspiration from his life story. He says there’s nothing wrong if one is born poor. What is wrong is when you’re poor and don’t exert efforts to change your situation, he adds.
Kudos to authors Jay Nathan Jore, an assistant professor of Fine Arts at the University of the Philipines Cebu; Alyssa Selanova, a UP Cebu Fine Arts graduate and a product of Jose Joya Curatorial program; and Sayoka Takemura, an artist liaison, editor, projects and exhibitions manager, among others.
During the book launch, guests will also enjoy a retrospective exhibition of the artist’s important paintings, from his early portraits and commission to some pieces displayed at shows and now in private collections.
The exhibit will enable the public to view the growth and breadth of his body of work in person, beyond the pages of the book, and experience his mastery of technique and storytelling in the realist style, noted Ms. Takemura in a press release.
The book’s publisher, BambooVillage Publishing, announced that Pangandoy will be launched on June 14, Wednesday, at the Florentino’s in Balamban, Cebu.
The book is available for sale at the Florentino’s, an art gallery, a studio, a paint bar, and a café where Jun Impas continues his advocacy of promoting art among those aspiring to become artists. It will soon be available in other outlets as well.
