Biography

Bonifacio N. Cristobal
1911 – 1977: Biographical Timeline

 

1911    Bonifacio Nicolas Cristobal is born on June 16 in Sorsogon, Sorsogon to Damian Cristobal and Teodora Nicolas.

1933    Graduated from Sorsogon Provincial High School. Moved to Manila to pursue studies in Art. Eventually accepted and attended University of the Philippines in Manila on scholarship.

1935    National Heroes Day Painting Contest in UP. Won First Prize in Painting and Design in contests in UP.

1937    Finished Certificate in Painting at UP School of Fine Arts, with a Medal Award for Excellence. Travelled to Europe on scholarship from Philippine government, studying in École des Beaux-Arts and at the Académie Julian in Paris, France; training in Painting and Sculpture.

1938    Completed studies in Académie Julian as Master of Figure Painting. Won annual Spring Prix for Painting.

1939    Won a Competitive Scholarship for Foreigners to attend school in Rome. Attended Royal Academy of Rome and studied under Carlo Siviero.
Transferred to the Royal Academy of Florence, studying under the tutelage of Felice Carena. While in Florence, Italy, studied the Old Masters in the Uffizi Gallery.

1940    Began to travel home to the Philippines. En route, he noticed Japan in the midst of preparations for war. Arriving in the Philippines, preparations began to stage a one-man show at UP. Upon the outbreak of war in the country, he returned to his native province of Sorsogon.

1944    Cristobal’s “Prayer” was selected as honorable mention in an exhibition to mark Jose Rizal’s birth anniversary.

1945    Started teaching in Gubat High School in Sorsogon.

1946    Started teaching Art Education in different colleges in Manila. Began writing and illustrating as magazine staff member of Philippine Journal of Education.

1947    Hired as Art Instructor at universities and colleges, including the University of Santo Tomas (UST).

1948    Won First Prize at National Art Competition by the Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) for the “Hingutuhan”.

1949    Judge for AAP’s Annual Art Competition.

1950    Painted “Mother and Child” and Jorge B. Vargas Philippine Boy Scouts portrait.

1951    Started writing “Small Talk” column for the Manila Times.
Co-founded Fra Angelico Guild, an organization for Catholic artists and art lovers.

1953    Painted a mural for the old UST High School.

1954    Won First Prize for Marian Year Painting Contest (Marian Year Committee, Letran College), for “Madonna of the Sampaguitas.”

1967    Second Prize Philippine Currency Design Contest (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas).

1968    Entered painting of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo for a contest by the Aguinaldo Memorial Society.

1970    Published Anatomical Notions for Art Students (UST Press), a textbook, and Philippine Folk Tales, a compilation of stories (as co-author, Phoenix-Alemar).

1971    Award of Merit for Outstanding Service in the Fields of Fine Arts and Letters (from Sorsogon High School).

1977    Died on May 20 in Manila.