Manolito Tolentino Mayo Artist
Manolito Tolentino Mayo (December 17, 1954 - May 4, 1983) locally known as Toto Mayo or Lito Mayo, was a Philippine artist who won several major competitions while in the University of Santo Tomas, including the 1973 Sculpture and Graphics Awards, 1977 AAP Graphic Arts Competition, and the 1980 Critic's Choice Awards for Graphic Arts. He was believed to be the very first punk in the Philippines, thru his hairstyle, looks, lifestyle and his artworks. He also actively supported the alternative music in the mid-1970s. His early work in college was heavily inspired by Cubism, wood print blocks and sculptures. Mayo established himself in graphic arts, with print plate etching as his major technique. Intaglio, xerographics, and silkscreen processes were also incorporated into his early works. Business Day writer Angel G. De Jesus wrote that Mayo was 'a surrealistic expressionist with a satiric sense of humor. ' Manolito Mayo was born in Lipa City, Batangas, the eldest son, and second child, of entrepreneur Sebastian Mayo, and Belen Tolentino Mayo. He studied at De La Salle Lipa in high school. Eventually, he enrolled in the University of Santo Tomas where he befriended two of the most talented artists of the 1970s - Fernando Modesto and Omi Velasquez. Mayo's subjects and compositions usually embodied magical themes, amulets, animal people, and subconscious wonderings. In his work Pula Puti, he depicted a cockfight scene with roosters having human forms - the two gladiatorial roosters having strong, muscular physiques.
