MANILA, Philippines -- Leovino Ma. "Leo" Garcia, PhD. is a professor of Philosophy at Ateneo de Manila. From 1988 to 1994, he served as the university's first lay Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. He was also Ateneo's Dean of the Loyola School of Humanities from 2000 to 2007.
Today, he is very active in the pursuit of education and art. His home is a reflection of these passions. Papers and books dominate his dining room table. Stacks of folders are laid on each step of the stairs. Artworks adorn every nook, from the small foyer to the living room, to the kitchen, bedroom and even bathroom.
An AB Humanities scholar at the Jesuit-run university during the 1960s, Doc Leo,-as he is fondly called by students and colleagues-never thought he would be an art collector. He says, "When I left Tuguegarao in 1962 to study at the Ateneo de Manila, there was no question of having a room of my own...I grew up thinking, rightly or wrongly, that I couldn't own a painting until I had a place I could call my own."
In 1990, two years after he became dean, Doc Leo finally moved into his own condominium unit in a mid-rise building complex in Quezon City. The unit had bare white walls that Doc Leo began filling with paintings. His collection officially began when Professor Eric Torres, then curator of the Ateneo Art Gallery, gifted him with two prints by Lao Lianben. Doc Leo realized that he liked Lao's works for their simple beauty and calming effect.
One such work that helps him relax is a 92 X 94 cm acrylic on canvas entitled "Zen Afternoon" that used to hang in his office but is now displayed on a wall of his condo. The painting is almost entirely in black, save for big blocks of white in the center that resemble windows. "It helped me survive the deanship," Doc Leo says of "Zen Afternoon."
Another art piece with an interesting story is one entitled "Kristo" by the late Ang Kiukok whom Doc Leo had met through noted stage designer Salvador Bernal. Kiukok, a National Artist, is noted for his expressionist paintings of the crucified Jesus Christ.
During a trip abroad, Doc Leo bought a postcard of a painting of a Christ with blood-shot eyes by Belgian expressionist Gustave Van de Woestijn. Upon returning to Manila, Doc Leo rushed to Kiukok's house to give him that postcard.
A week later, Kiukok had a lovely surprise for Doc Leo. The painter brought the dean into the studio and smiled as he pointed to the newly painted "Kristo" on the easel. Doc Leo notes, "The distinctive Kiukok features were there in the painting-the anguished look, the sallow cheeks, even the bristling crown of thorns. But unlike the Kiukok's many Christs who have expired, this Christ is alive!"
Of course, Doc Leo bought the painting which has now become one of his prized possessions.
Perhaps the oldest piece in his collection is a 1563 antique map by Ramusio-Gastaldi where the name "Filipina" appears for the first time on a western document. Jesuit mapmaker Pedro Murillo Velarde's 1760 map, which is considered the "Mother of all Philippine maps," hangs in the foyer alongside a Lao painting entitled "Conversations with a Wall." Doc Leo, who speaks French and is also an expert on early Philippine maps, translates the French inscription to explain why the map is important and special. He says, "It describes Filipinos as a people of 'good height, beautiful faces and dark in complexion.' It also says that Filipinos 'become good writers, painters, sculptors, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, embroiderers and sailors.' The map clearly shows that Filipinos are a very talented people even back then. When we learn of things like this, it boosts our esteem as a people."
Doc Leo has built a respectable collection through perseverance and hard work. He attends a lot of exhibit openings to update himself of the latest works of the masters and also spot new talent. Like most serious art collectors, price is not an obstacle. When he finds an artwork that he truly likes but is a bit expensive, he pays for it in several installments. Doc Leo makes these efforts because he believes that collectors have a responsibility to share.
Consequently, he looks at artworks and maps as symbols of a nation's culture. For him, art collecting is not so much a hobby but a mission. He says, "The really enlightened collector is one who collects for others who will also appreciate the works. He collects treasures in order to share treasures. "
As such, he has loaned some of his Lao paintings for an exhibit at the Ateneo Art Gallery and other museums. He has let go of some of the pieces to other collectors, or given some to his relatives. He has also helped and guided friends in the academe in starting their own art collection.
Together with the alumni association of his alma mater, Doc Leo continues to promote the love for art and to give opportunity to new artists through the annual Ateneo Art Auction, a fund-raiser for scholarships for the Ateneo School of Humanities.
Featured in this year's auction to be held at Finale Art File on October 1 are over 70 works from established artists including Ang Kiukok, H.R.Ocampo, Lao Lianben, Onib Olmedo, Santiago Bose, Nena Saguil, Romulo Olazo, Julie Lluch and Gus Albor, and newer painters like Lynyrd Paras, Rodel Tapaya, Winner Jumalon and Alrashdi Mohammad.
Doc Leo's condo serves as the temporary home of most of the auction's featured works until they are transferred to the actual auction site.
Admittedly, it's organizing the yearly auction that has become his art-related passion these days. Doc Leo says, "Now, I'm trying to pair a painting with the right collector. I've reinvented myself. I think it's fascinating that life is about new ways of expressing one's self. It's a very good challenge."
