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ABOUT EDUARDO MUTUC
Eduardo Mutuc is best known for his intricate metalwork, which used silver, wood, and bronze. His pieces range from small, delicate objects to monumental works like retablos (church altarpieces), mirrors, and carosas (processional floats). In 2004, he was awarded the National Living Treasures Award ("Manlilikha ng Bayan") by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts for his contributions to preserving traditional Filipino metalwork​.
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Mutuc's entry into the world of art came relatively late in life. At age 29, while working as a farmer to support his family, he sought an additional source of income. He began learning woodcarving while working at an antique shop owned by relatives.
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His initial motivation was to improve his financial situation, but as he immersed himself in the craft, he developed a passion for creating religious and secular pieces, primarily influenced by traditional Filipino and Spanish colonial designs. One of his early significant commissions was a tabernacle for a church in Quezon City, which helped establish his reputation.
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Under the mentorship of Carlos Quiros, he honed his skills in woodcarving before eventually transitioning to silver plating through a colleague. After six years, Mutuc left his job to become an independent craftsman.
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Art Style
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“Silver Plating”, or locally known as “pinukpuk” was Eduardo Mutuc’s signature art style. Pinukpuk is a form of art which involves the stamping of embellishments on metal sheets. Eduardo Mutuc is one of the famous practitioners of this art form.
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Awards
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He is a recipient of the National Living Treasures Award (Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan) by the National Commission for Culture and Arts way back in 2004.
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Hometown
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Mutuc hails from Apalit, Pampanga, a province in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines. Pampanga is known for its rich tradition of craftsmanship, particularly in woodcarving and metalwork. Apalit, in particular, has a long history of producing skilled artisans, and Mutuc is a prominent figure among them.
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