AN ALUMNUS from the University of Santo Tomas was recognized by the House of Representatives of the Philippines’ Arts, Culture and Creative Industries Bloc in the visual arts domain.

Lemuel Blanco, a BFA-Painting graduate, was the recipient of the first Celebrating Rising Excellence in Artistic Talent and Express (CREATE) awards held last month.

Blanco came from a family of artists in Angono, Rizal.

“Dedicated to bringing positive change, the third-generation Blanco has lent his creativity and artistic vision to significant projects in the country such as the Vigan Convention Center, the restoration of the Ayuntamiento Building in Intramuros, as well as becoming an instrument in establishing the Regional Art Guild of SOCCSKSARGEN in collaboration with the Department of Tourism,” the UST said.

“He was also designated as the ‘Outstanding Citizen of the Town of Angono for Visual Arts and Music’ in 2012, which attests to his advocacy as a multi-faceted artist in his hometown,” it added.

At present, Blanco serves as Angono, Rizal’s tourism youth ambassador. Their family runs the Blanco Family Museum and Art Gallery which curates and celebrates their family’s vibrant legacy in their hometown.

The Congress seeks to recognize the nine domains of the Philippine creative industries.