MANILA, Philippines (PNA) — Not everybody knows that world-class brass sculptor and 1996 Ten Outstanding Young Men awardee Michael Cacnio is the son of artist Angel Cacnio — a famous painter who designed the present P20 and P100 Philippine paper bills in circulation.

Michael’s artistic genes was evident even when he was still a child in Caloocan where he was born in 1969. He was observant and loved viewing the whole area of Malabon from the rooftop of his grandmother’s house that was considered pretty high during the 1950s.

”I was heavily influenced by my father’s love for painting and I thought I would follow his footsteps with the brush and easel.

"But having been a student of National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon Abueva during my college years and being inspired by Albert Giacometti, Fred Baldemor, Fernando Amorsolo and Carlos Francisco, I finally decided to find my genre as a sculptor,” said Cacnio during the opening of his art works at the Museo Walo on the 23rd Floor of the Insular Life Corporate Center in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

The 42–year-old sculptor said it’s not that easy to deal with cutting metals and welding them to an artist's desired figure. “When I was starting, I used to suffer cuts and calluses on my hands and palms. As I became more adept in my art, the lesser hurts I suffered,” said the University of the Philippines (Diliman) 1991 fine arts graduate.

Why does he prefer brass than bronze?

"Brass is gold —- a white, light and shiny one that is easier for the eyes to appreciate. It is a little softer and easier to mold and weld which is time-saving. I feel I can express myself better in brass than bronze since it is a versatile metal and it definitely highlights other materials you combine with it,” he said.

Considered to be a social realist because he is focused on Filipino life and culture, Cacnio’s works like “Kamanava,” “Puno ng Karunungan,” “Fishball Vendor,” “Munting Pangarap” and many others are common and realistic that are easy to identify with.

The figures look like they are lifted from a lively and living painting that’s simple, sans complicated ideas waiting to be interpreted by the viewer.

What’s more, the sculptures do not assault the senses nor create painful angst but grace and acceptance.

”I grew up in Malabon where things were simple and happy during the early years. The atmosphere was happy despite the poverty that generally surrounded the place.

"Even now, I still love simple and happy life which I enjoy with my wife and children despite the fast technological advancences. I guess it is reflected in my art works,” said the man whose art pieces –- mind you, even the smallest ones cost more than P100,000 each.

He does not concern himself with the business or financial side of his career and avocation. “I let my wife deal with the money side. Mine is the improvement and production of my craft. I don’t know how much I earn; I’m just grateful that I have all my basic needs and wants,” he said.

Despite the wealth and accolades that has accrued to him, Cacnio said what is important is to give glory to God who is the source of all blessings and even trials that continue to strengthen his life.

“Nothing is possible without God’s permission. We should never forget that He should be placed above all things in the universe.”

Cacnio’s passion and intense art has earned him plaudits in many art centers in the world. The fact is, he is the only Filipino sculptor to be featured in a solo exhibit in the European Commission’s headquarters in Berlaymont, Brussels.

He was also the only Filipino participant in the Art Expo International Exhibit in Floria, USA, a part of the Likhang Sining Pilipino travelling exhibit in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles and the Fiesta Art de Philippines in Singapore.

Cacnio’s collections have been showcased globally, with more than 50 solo shows in galleries in Boston, Brix Gallery, Gallery 9, the Red Dot Gallery, Art Center Megamall, Hotel Intercon, Manila Peninsula and the Enterprise Center.

And he continues to produce more of very valuable art pieces that is well admired and sells very well locally and internationally.

The Museo Walo has scheduled viewing of Cacnio’s show from January 10 to February 10 as a prelude of his doing the Batis Project’s Mariang Makiling centerpiece in the soon-to-be-built hotel-cum-spa at the foothills of Mt. Makiling in Los Banos, Laguna.

Together with the Philippines’ national and internationally acclaimed legendary artists in the likes of painter Benedicto “Bencab” Cabrera, architect Francisco “Bobby” Manosa, landscape architect Ildefondo “IP” Santos, Interior decorator/designer Budji Layug, international pottery maker and designer Augusto “Ugu” Bigyan, Asia’s Fashion Czar Jose “Pitoy” Moreno, and furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue, Cacnio’s works will still be viewed by the public at Museo Walo until such time when all of them will be permanently housed at the Batis Hotel within the next few months.