On Global Filipinos: Angelo Maristela: Portrait artist makes West Point history

By Loida Nicolas Lewis

West Point’s Alexander R. Nininger Award for Valor at Arms was given to an alumnus, Maj. Floren Herrera of class 2013 who returned to the Philippines to serve in the Philippine armed forces. It is the first time a Filipino has received such an honor from the U.S. Military Academy for bravery in battle.

On the same day, the portrait of General Douglas MacArthur painted by Angelo Maristela and owned by Dr. Lestrino Baquiran, was hung on the walls of the historically revered U.S. Military Academy in West Point. The presentation was made possible through coordination made by Desiree Gilman and her husband, Col. Derek Gilman (ret.), Mike Lyons, and Edwin Josue.

Baquiran had bought several paintings from artist Maristela over the years, including “Di Ka Pasisiil,” his mural of Lapu-Lapu and Magellan in their fatal encounter in Cebu. Maristela decided to give MacArthur’s portrait to Baquiran in appreciation of  the good doctor who recognized his artistry and genius.

During the ceremony, Baquiran said, “On behalf of my family, including my late mother, Linda Cachola Baquiran who took care of us during the war and my late father Dr. Corazon Baquiran who served as a medical officer of the USAFFE for which he received the World War II Veteran Congressional Medal, I am donating this painting to the U.S. Military Academy.

“This portrait of General Douglas MacArthur belongs to West Point.”

It could not have been more solemn and emotional for the Philippine-born Maristela whose own story reflects the historical connection of the Philippines to the United States.

Maristela was born in Manila. From the time he could hold a pencil, he loved to draw, especially because his mother, being a single mother, would lock Angelo up in his room so he would not get into trouble, while she was working outside their home.

Angelo learned how to draw the faces of the paper dolls during those hours of isolation before he attended kindergarten.

Throughout his school years, he was encouraged to draw by his teachers or by the principals. By the time he entered Far Eastern University, he was earning income from his paintings. It was also at that time that he met his half-brother Denver Page, who told him that an American soldier was part of his ancestry.

After graduation, he worked for two art galleries, Heritage and Old Manila. However, he was disappointed with his output because he seemed like a factory worker producing art work without inner conviction. Nevertheless, he continued to learn from the Philippines’ National Artists.

The opportunity came for his family to move to Qatar in the Middle East. He was favored by a Shieka, daughter of a wealthy Shiek, who hired him as her private art instructor. Maristela worked in a major contracting corporation for seven years as the creative designer. He did portraits of Qatar princes and scenes from nature. Around 300 paintings were placed into the walls of hotels, hospitals, malls, and other buildings constructed by the Shieka’s family.

However, his dream was to reach the United States so he was overwhelmed when he and his wife Lynn and his three children, were granted EB-1A visa for Artists with Extraordinary Ability also referred to as the Einstein Visa.

When they arrived in Los Angeles, they proceeded to Las Vegas to attend the funeral of his uncle who was his grandmother’s brother. The rest of his uncle’s family invited them to stay in their home in New Jersey.

And that started his life in the United States. Because of his numerous awards won over the years, he was able to secure together with the rest of his family permanent residency status.

Since then, he has presented his art works in several group exhibits. I myself have bought his painting of Central Park and at another exhibit, his painting of golden fishes.

Maristela considered his obra maestra to be the mural he painted commissioned by the N.Y. Port Authority in Times Square. However, the planned inauguration was cancelled when the pandemic put on hold social gatherings in 2020.

The mural “Di Ka Pasisiil”springs from Maristela’s deep interest in Philippine history so that the armor of Magellan and his Spanish sailors are inspired by authentic 15th century attire.

His family thrives in the United States. His eldest son Racco is taking Biology at the University of Connecticut and is in the honor clubs. He first took A.S. Chemistry and graduated Magna Cum Laude. His second son Renfrew, also in college, is planning to major in dental medicine. Youngest child is daughter Ressu who is currently in junior high school.

One admirable aspect of Maristela personality is his compassion for those who are marginalized. When he first arrived in the USA, he was shocked to see that some people were poor and homeless. He started to paint for his private collection a series of portraits of prominent personalities holding a loaf of bread symbolizing “Bread of the Life”, who in the Christian faith is Jesus Christ. Thus, his portraits of Robert Downey Jr, Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey, even President Barack Obama show them holding a loaf of bread. It is his own personal satisfaction to depict each person as symbolizing their life’s work to better the lives of the poor and the disadvantaged.

His favorite verse is “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised:” Hebrews 10:35-37.