Choco’s Rhapsodies

Jerome Choco makes music on an empty canvas

By Sara Grace C. Fojas
Page design by Pinggot Zulueta

Multitalented young artist Jerome Choco likes to express his love for music not only through his
beloved instruments but on a white canvas, with Rembrandt and Caravaggio as his band
members.
“Art, for me, is like a musical piece that I need to play by note and melody in order to give it a
soul so that the viewers would also feel what I felt when I was creating it. I want them to also
hear my music through my art,” he shares.
His exhibit “Transposition II,” in cooperation with Nova Art Gallery runs until Jan. 4 2020 at the
Warehouse 12, Makati City is inspired by the Dutch painter Rembrandt and Italian painter
Caravaggio. “I carefully studied their lighting, colors, and honed my skills in creating
hyperrealism in my art piece. I started with a concept in mind—minsan naiisip ko na lang bigla
habang nag-paparada ang banda, nagbibisikleta, o nakasakay sa jeep. Then, it’s time for a
photoshoot, after that, I will apply it on canvas. Habang ginagawa ko ito, dito lumalabas ang
maraming layers at stories ng isang piyesa, ang kuwento ng isang banda, ng sarili ko, o ng
society. Inspirasyon ko sa paggawa ang mga mahal ko sa buhay at ang mga pangarap ko na
nakaugnay dito,” says Choco.
At 27 years old, Choco’s love to expore different styles, through Google and the magic of
Internet has honed his skills as a hyperrealist. His interest in art started when he was in high
school at the Regional Pilot School for the Arts in Angono, Rizal. Here, he first learned about
drawing and different art mediums. As a student who loves art and music, money was scarce and
he could not afford the instruments and materials but the generosity of his classmates and friends
helped him through it.
“Huminto ako sa pag-aaral bago mag-college ng isang taon dahil sa financial problem at sa isang
taon na ‘yun masasabi ko na napahusay ko pa lalo ang kamay ko dahil araw-araw akong nag-
drawing at nagpinta. Ito rin ang time na nakasali sa isang contemporary art group dito sa
Angono, ang Neo-Angono Artists collective, at napabilang sa marching band dito sa Angono,” he
says.
At the Neo-Angono Artists Collective, Choco met his mentor, the hyperrealist Wire Tuazon who
guided him in developing his skills. “Ang style ko ngayon ay paiba-iba pa, masasabi kong nasa
proseso pa din ako ng pag-eeksperimento at pagtuklas pero ang tema ko at concepts ay
nakapaloob sa marching band and music dahil kasapi ako sa isang band at isa din ito sa hilig ko,
ang pagtugtog. Nagsimula ako sa pagpapahusay ng kamay ko sa paggawa ng hyperrealism, at
ngayon ay ina-apply ko ang kulay nina Caravaggio at Rembrand tulad ng in-exhibit ko sa
‘Transposition I’ at ‘Transposition II’ sa Galerie Stephanie at Nova Art Gallerty. Iba’t ibang
emosyon ang nalalabas ko sa mga artworks ko at masaya ako doon,” says Choco.
Now, Choco works in a makeshift studio in Angono—an old classroom transformed into a
museum of his and his co-artists masterpieces. In this studio is where he continues developing
his style and soon, his masterpieces will likeley be seen and known by more galleries in Manila.
This 2020, he plans on exploring his talents even more. “Nakita ko na mabili nag-evolve ang
mga gawa ko mula noong una, marahil na rin siguro sa patuloy kong pagtuklas at pag-
eksperimento ng iba’t ibang style. Ngayong 2020, balak ko munang magpahinga sa solo show at
mag-focus muna sa sarili ko. Gagawin ko muna mga gusto kong gawin sa canvas at kapag hinog
na, saka ko na ito ilalabas. Na-realize ko kasi na, “suwerte tayo kung madaming tayong deadlines
sa iba’t ibang shows or galleries, pero mas suwerte pala tayo kung may nagagawa tayo para sa
pansariling artwork natin, yung ‘wala lang, gusto ko lang gawin, masaya lang.’ Tingin ko, dito
mas lalabas ang pinaka-nasa puso mo, pure. Excited na ako sa mga darating pang taon na mas
magiging malaya at mas masaya ang gagawin kong artworks” he ends.

‘Transposition II’ runs until January 4, 2020 at Warehouse 12, A La Fuerza Compound, Don
Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City. For more information, call 632 659 3697.