SAN FRANCISCO — Danny de la Cruz, president of the Philippine Folklife Museum Foundation (Museo) based here, announced that the exhibit of well known sculptor Luisito Ac-Ac of Paete Laguna will formally open on February 15, at the Rizal Room, of the Philippine Center Bldg. at 447 Sutter St., in San Francisco Consul General Marciano Paynor will open the exhibit to be attended by the sponsors and collectors who have supported the folkart of Ac-Ac.

Luis Ac-Ac is the finest and most famous wood carver in his town who has already established a following not only in the Philippines but abroad as well. He started drawing even before entering formal schooling, gaining the support of his mentors, family and friends. At age 11 his grandmother Laureana Ac-Ac gave him a set of chisels originally owned by the master blacksmith of Paete, Tandang Nano Madrigal. Hermogenes Balandra his maternal grandfather better known as “Tandang Mini” was also a fine furniture carver during his time.

To support himself as a Fine Arts student at UP, Ac-Ac took a job as an illustrator at the Bookman Printing and the Kayumanggi Press then as an apprentice of National Artist, Napoleon Abueva. His first regular job was at Cabrera, Cruz, Roa and Associates Advertising in Makati even as an undergraduate. In 1976, the 24-year-old Luisito graduated with a BFA degree with major in visual communications and minor in sculpture. Right after graduation the young Ac-Ac decided to devote full time to sculpture.

In 1991, after an exhibit at the Philippine Fiesta Island in San Francisco, Peachy Pelaez, then the Department of Tourism director, exhibited his works at the Philippine Center Bldg., where the Philippine Folklife Museum members discovered his dexterity and talent and bought most his works. Soon after that, collectors and enthusiasts – led by U.P. Fine Arts’ Araceli Limcaco Dans (who knew Ac-Ac personally) and Dr. Mellie Lopez who ordered “santos” in the Ac-Ac classical religious style – visited Ac-Ac in his hometown in Paete, Laguna.

Ac-Ac became known for his wooden carvings; he is now a much sought after sculptor, specializing in folkart genre carvings that reflect very descriptively the typical Paete surroundings and neighborhood. Luisito and his wife Ma. Cecilia have three children Michael, 27; Marygrace, 25; and Garylouie, 20, the youngest ,who shows interest and potential in drawing and carving.

The exhibit opening will feature an audiovisual presentation of the artist and a slide show of his works done in several styles: 3-D, bas reliefs, panels, tablets, and large life style wooden statues and religious images. In a review, Manila columnist Danton Remoto wrote, “Luis Ac-Ac shows folk and family figures prominently in his sculptures hewn from narra, batikuling, langka and chico. These flat and postcard-pretty works are never meant to please the tourists. They are scenes not only from his inner landscapes, but also from the landscape of his collective memory.,”

Domini M. Torrevillas of the Philippine Star said the Ac-Ac collection which will have its permanent home at the Museo in San Francisco for the Filipino-Americans and the general public to “develop awareness and appreciation of Philippine culture and heritage.” Ac-Ac has carved, among many history-inspired pieces, “Isang Dugo” showing the blood compact of Katipunan; Rizal’s execution; the Agoncillo ladies sewing the first Pilipino flag; the liberation during WW2; and the arrival of the Thomasites.

The Museo currently has a rotating exhibit, showcasing Philippine regional costumes in five large shadowboxes. The exhibits displayed native garments from Ilocandia, Tagalog regions, Mindanao, and the Cordilleras.