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BY JUN AGUIRRE
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Saturday, December 31, 2017
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KALIBO, Aklan – Through an exhibit, a local museum will recognize an Akeanon friend of the national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.
Telesforo Sucgang, a native of Batan town, was with Rizal in a painting class in Spain and the latter’s “constant companion,” according to the former’s great grandson Raymond.
Sucgang’s friendship with the historical icon has been cited by the historian and columnist Ambeth Ocampo in his articles.
On Jan. 5, 2017, in time for his birth anniversary, the Museo it Aklan will display replica paintings and items on the life and works of Sucgang. The Sucgang families in the province are invited.
Raymond, who works at the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, said they are grateful for the recognition.
“But Telesforo (Sucgang) had been a neglected hero,” Raymond said on Facebook. “His contribution to the Katipunan was never recognized properly. He was not given the recognition he deserved, unlike other heroes.”
According to Raymond, Sucgang (Jan. 5, 1855 – Dec. 16, 1916) painted “the most accurate picture of Rizal.” On Facebook he posted a picture of the supposed portrait.
“Who else could paint the most accurate picture of Rizal other than his friend and constant companion, who was also a multi-awarded artist during their time?” said Raymond.
While in Madrid, Sucgang “painted two large historical pictures: the ‘El Desembarco de Magallanes,’ or The First Mass in the Philippines, in 1888, and ‘La Llegada de Legazpi y Urdaneta,’” Raymond said.
“His other works during this period include ‘Estamos Salvados’ and ‘La Llegada del Correo Español en la Bahia de Manila’ in 1887. The latter was renamed Steamship Buenaventura,” he said.
“During the revolution against Spain, [Sucgang] was appointed captain and, later on, commandant of the military administration headed by Martin Teofilo Delgado in Santa Barbara, Iloilo. Meanwhile, he wrote articles published in El Comercio and the Visayan papers El Porvenir de Visayas, El Panay, El Ilonguillo, and Revolucion.
“In 1900, Sucgang founded the Instituto de Visayas in Jaro, Iloilo. Then in 1905, he built the Instituto Aklan in Kalibo and another school in Capiz between 1907 and 1911. In 1912, the artist founded the Colegio de Minerva in Manila, which lasted until his death in 1916,” said Raymond./PN
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