Mar SAYS

Since Fine Arts was not yet offered in Cebu, I took up Architecture. Then I met Martino Abellana, a Fine Arts instructor who contributed to my becoming an artist. And since I am inclined in the Art, I happened to meet Sym, Romulo “Molong” Galicano and others who are now prominent figures in the field of Art. I met Sym and “Molong” Galicano by their Art shop located at the corner of Blumentritt and Dimasalang Street. It was near to my place of review for my Architecture.  

There is also where I met Ibarra Dela Rosa and Aguila Cruz. For quite some time, Sym inspired me to practice my water color painting giving me several tips. As years passed by, my now two close friends, 

Sym and Molong started to make waves in their chosen field and later on, Molong advised me to choose between Fine Arts and Architecture. I just couldn’t decide at that time for I was employed at the government office and already married. After much thinking, I decided to first establish myself financially thru my profession as an Architect by going abroad. That is in preparation to my shift of profession while I hadn’t established myself yet as an artist. I generated quite enough to sustain my family while I struggle of  

becoming an artist. Later on, I was able to hold series of one-man exhibitions with the help of my friend Molong. During my early days with Sym and Molong, I was trained through several on-the-spot painting sessions. In fact, Ben Alano and Aguilar Cruz collected my paintings. During my practice in the field of Art, I met Rene Rocha,

who financed me in some of my exhibits and helped me a lot. One gallery that helped me so much is Gallery Genesis, which also helps artists fulfill their goals. And the one most important part of me and of getting what I’ve always wanted, who is always behind to support me is my loving wife Aurora Idul Cempron together with my children, Marites, Ark, Me-an and Mona who inspired me to hold on.

Hot Cakes...

In the late 90's, Mardonio "Mar" Cempron had his 5th One-Man Exhibition in Cebu with the help of his friend Connie of "Island Tour" souvenir shop, who  now transferred to Bohol where Mar is right now.

Bohol Island Tour

In Bohol cooking up his 6th One-Man Exhibition hopefully late this year or early next year, Mar is being sponsored by a friend, Connie, business owner of Island Tour, a popular souvenir shop in Baclayon which also spread in the Philippine's most visited tourist destinations. He is now touring the place to capture the beauty of the place through his pieces, notably Panglao, other popular beaches, Hinagdanan Cave and  the old churches. He likewise intends to bring to life the longest Philippine rebellion lead by Dagohoy, a local hero, through his art.

Young MARDONIO CEMPRON

Native of Jetafe bohol, Mar grew up in his hometown and been, since then showing potential as a young boy. He was then an enthusiast of his also young brother's  art.

His father passed on just before he was born, reared  together with his sister and 2 brothers, by a single mother who was a school teacher.

He studied his early school in his hometown.

As a young kid, Mar had been intense  in his becoming an artist which he firmly aimed with precision and accomplished impressively.

Mardonio Cempron was born on December 23, 1941 in Jetafe Bohol.

Kaleidoscapes

After his 3rd One-Man Exhibit, Mardonio Cempron rested for a while from his art exhibitions until the 90’s. Through this passage of time, he was able to advance his faculty by venturing to acrylic, another art medium which is very akin to oil. Though not as elaborate and tedious as watercolor, the medium has its very unique challenging personality to discover and tame. Reinventing himself, “Kaleidoscapes” was born, his 4th One-Man Exhibition in 1991 under Gallery Genesis, his residence gallery. Featured were his anthology of nature’s panorama and landscape of salient color imagination.

Mar's Watercolor & Guest

Archt. Mardonio Cempron, is a  well  known watercolorist popular with the vibrance of his touch of colors. Established himself with the medium, he had his 2nd One-Man Show in 1984 at Hyatt Regency, Manila showcasing his works. (Private Collection)

Mar's 3rd One-Man Exhibition was held at Galerie Blueu in 1985 and even then, his co-artists were struck with the play of his colors and his methods in producing variant effects. It is  a common belief that watercolor is a very difficult art medium. Wetness, timing and color mixture should be perfect at one point to achieve one result. And putting one's heart in the art is the only way to deliver. (Private Collection)

One, Mar so expresses his gratitude to, is his renowned mentor Martino Abellana (1914-1986), a great Cebuano artist from Carcar who contributed to his art. His learnings from Abellana are influential to his works. (Private Collection)

Here is a nice work (private collection in Oil) of Bing Siochi, a close friend of Mar. They had a 3-Man Art Exhibition  on August 2000 together with another good friend  Harry Torres. 

Mar's Art & Brief

Mardonio, known to his circle as "Mar", had his 1st One-Man Show at Hidalgo Hotel in 1983. On November of 1979, he joined a Group Invitational Exhibit at Hyatt Regency Manila, his very first group show.