IN AN eventful and colorful life cut short by cancer, artist Butch Clarin Soriano not only made his mark on the canvas; he also made his mark in the hearts of many aspiring young artists who took free art lessons from him.
Soriano, who graduated at the old College of Architecture and Fine Arts where he later become a member of the art faculty, was the spirit behind “Mga Munting Daliri,” which held annual summer art workshops for public school students.
Memories, an exhibit in honor of the late artist’s life and works, features 16 paintings done prior to Soriano’s death in July 2002. The exhibit was held at Philamlife Building in U.N. Avenue in Ermita.
The artist’s painful struggle with cancer may be seen in “The Struggle Within,” depicting a cockfight in abstract terms and in the solid blues and whites.
Traditional genre are themes tackled in “Still Life1,” “2” and “3.”
“Far Beyond,” Vanishing Shore,” and “Reclaimed Shores” are lively impressions of a fishing village.
“Sea Power 1” and “Sea Power 2” depict strong sea waves in dark shades that appear eerie and lonely at the same time.
“The Caregiver,” an unfinished work, doesn’t appear incomplete at all. The pallor of the caregiver while taking a nap on a chair conveys pain while the dark solid colors show style and impart seriousness.
As a young man, Soriano spent his summers cleaning the streets with the neighborhood kids, organizing sports competitions, and coming up with activities for the community’s development.
“He was definitely committed to his art just like most of the faculty members here in College of Fine Arts and Design, but when one teaches, teaching becomes the priority,” Prof. Rhoda Recto, a co-professor of Soriano in CFAD said. “He left UST to teach children, it was like his lifetime commitment.” When he left teaching, Soriano started Mga Munting Daliri. “He become dedicated to community outreach, because it was what he really love doing and it also gave him a sense of responsibility and achievement,” Recto added.
Soriano later joined the Kiwanis International. He later founded a local branch—the Kiwanis Club of Dapitan.
For his dedication in developing the artistic talent of the poorer children, he was awarded the Katangi-tanging Gawad sa Larangan ng Edukasyong Pansining sa Kabataan by the Manila Tourism and Cultural Bureau and the Division of Manila City schools.
