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In Memory of Papo de Asis
Master Artist/Activist
A dear and cherished friend.
 I adored Papo de Asis and feel blessed with the time we shared. I first met him at the Onyx in Hollywood during his 1992 exhibition with my good friend Al Herion. The experience of viewing is artwork was exhilarating, enlighting and bigger than life! His work was masterly executed and composed of poetic pain and injustice as he was compelled to demonstrate it by the brush strokes onto his canvases. It was complex and disturbing. The work was a reflection of people’s oppression. Yes, I felt he was a “Conscientiousness of Human Rights Violation and Atrocities”. He opened my eyes to the world around me and was a perfect example of a person who had always strived to make a difference. He continued to give his time and talent unselfishly. Papo was a master artist and was highly respected by his peers as they witnessed his exemplary political and artistic commitment.
“A Tribute to Papo de Asis” slideshow.
Danilo Hubbero, “Papo de Asis” was born December 16, 1949, in a small town of Dumangas, Iloilo, Philippines. He had a hunger to express himself, therefore, he studied, was an apprentice and was self-taught as he struggled as an artist for most of his youth.
In 1972, when Martial Law was declared in The Philippines under the Marcos dictatorship, his art took on a much deeper, political meaning and the artist became an artist/activist. In 1975, Papo together with fourteen other artists formed a social realist group called "Kaisahan" (Unity). Until the day Marcos fled the country ten years later the group painted murals protesting the dictatorship and did all they could to strengthen the alliance with workers and peasants using creative efforts.
In 1975, Papo together with fourteen other artists formed a social realist group called Kaisahan (Unity). Until the day Marcos fled the country ten years later, the group painted murals protesting the dictatorship and helped strengthen the alliance with workers and peasants using creative efforts. All this transformed Papo to paint new subject matter, vividly portraying the ongoing injustices such as military atrocities, salvaging and rampant human rights violations.
When Papo immigrated to the United States in 1990, he continued to be active in the artist and activist community. He has led many art workshops and contributed numerous murals and banners for demonstrations, conferences and political forums. His art became well-known amongst both artists and social justice activists throughout the U.S. He was one of the founding members of People’s Artist in 1996 and participated in many community-based activities and artist workshops. In the past couple of years, he founded Habi Ng Kalinangan (also known as Habi Arts), a collective of artists in Los Angeles committed to political and artistic empowerment for progressive social change.
Papo is known worldwide for his artwork and has received numerous awards. He has participated in various solo and group art exhibitions in the Philippines, France, Sweden, Japan, Germany, Australia, Korea and the United States (See Curriculum Vitae). His paintings are in the collections of the Philippine National Museum in Manila and in various private collections in the United States, especially in Los Angeles. He recently was elected as Vice President of Lantern of the East, Los Angeles (LELA).
All this transformed Papo to paint new subject matter. He was in exile by choice in Los Angeles and was committed to shed light by vividly portraying the ongoing injustices such as military atrocities, salvaging, and rampant human rights violations.
Papo died of a massive stroke on January 8, 2005 which marks a tremendous loss of a man who meant so much to his family as well as to the his fellow artists, activist communities, and his beloved Philippines. As a fiancé, father, brother, friend, artist, mentor, social justice activist and community organizer, Papo was an inspiration to all who met him. He has dedicated his life to the cause of social justice and for that the people will always be grateful. Papo was a man of compassion, endearing humor, intelligence, great talent, and a heart of gold. He will be remembered as the “People’s Artist” fondly.
He is survived by his fiancée, his son and daughters.
“May you enjoy your new journey in peace with much love!
Your spirit will live within us and your legacy will endure as
you have been such a great light, mentor and example.
Thank you Papo for caring so much about your fellow man and
giving me the privilege to spotlight your work.
You will be dearly missed, however, your spirit and
my fond memories will live in my heart.
Until we meet again. Farwell!”
Love always,
Ginette
To view works of Papo de Asis: “Tribute to Papo de Asis”
Photo taken by Juliane Backmann
Photos of Papo at the Onyx by Paul Posada
To view more current works
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