Kingfisher School of Business and Finance

Lucao District, Dagupan City

CONTEMPORARY
PHILIPPINE
ARTS

ILDEFONSO SANTOS
&
RAMON VALERA

Submitted by:
John Levi P. Cabe
Iverson De Vera

Submitted to:
Ms. Via Czarina De Vera
Contemporary Philippines Arts Instructor

January 12, 2020

 Ildefonso Santos

Biography

Ildefonso Paez Santos Jr. (September 5, 1929 – January 29, 2014),

popularly known simply as "IP Santos", was a Filipino architect who
was known for being the "Father of Philippine Landscape
Architecture." He was recognized as a National Artist of the
Philippines in the field of Architecture in 2006.

Education

Santos graduated from the University of Sto. Tomas in 1954 with a degree in the field of
architecture. He then pursued a second degree in Architecture, as well as a Master of Architecture
degree at the University of Southern California School of Architecture.

Work

Santos pioneered the profession of landscape architecture in the Philippines. He was bestowed
with the title of "national artist" for his outstanding achievement in architecture and allied arts on
June 9, 2006.

 Cultural Center of the Philippines complex

 Bantayog ng mga Bayani
 Manila Hotel
 San Miguel Corporation Building
 Nayong Pilipino
 Paco Park
 Rizal Park
 Loyola Memorial Park
 Tagaytay Highlands Golf and Country Club
 The Orchard Golf and Country Club
 Magallanes Church
 Asian Institute of Management

Death

Santos died of heart failure at 10 in the morning on January 29, 2014.

 Ramon O. Valera
Born: August 31 1912

Died: May 25 1972

He is the Philippines’ first National Artist for Fashion

Design. He finished his primary and secondary education in La
Salle, but dropped out of his first year in college at FEU due to
financial problems. Valera never had any formal training in
fashion design, but his works have been the standard of fashion students for intricate sewing,
embroidery, and handiwork. In an interview with Ramon Valera’s nieces Paching and Aton Valera,
they mention that their Ramoning did not prefer being called a designer, but an artist. He would
put high value on manners and propriety, and would not think twice to call out their attention when
they did something inappropriate.

Valera is known to the public as the “High priest of local fashion” and wearing garments
of his creation would be considered as an honor. He was the only male counter his contemporaries
had, and he would do the designing, cutting, pasting, and sewing all by himself.

Ramon was a fastidious worker, discarding finished garments that weren’t of his liking
when they were done, and was one who worked directly from his imagination and never worked
with patterns.

Ramon introduced to the Philippine society the one-piece terno fastened at the back with a
zipper, and transformed the traditional Maria Clara outfit into a wedding gown with bell sleeves,
which at first was considered a disgrace to the Filipina standard. Though he received contrasting
reactions to his creations, Ramon continued to defy tradition and staples through his creativity and
unique concepts.

To be clothed by Valera was an honor, and being dressed by him is not by appointment,
but by invitation. He chose his clientele which included Manila’s then socialites like Susan
Magalona, Gloria Romero, Baby Araneta-Flores, Chito Madrigal, and the Philippines’ first ladies
from Aurora Quezon to Imelda Marcos.

Ramon proved that having a college degree or formal training in a field is not necessary
for one to be successful in life. He used his creativity, imagination, and will to defy tradition to his
advantage and came out as the one of the Philippines’ most treasured artists.

Ramon died at the age of 60 in 1972, and was proclaimed National Artist for Fashion
Design by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2006. Ramon would have been 100 years old if
he had lived until present.