Memories about National Artist For Visual Arts Carlos ‘Botong’ Francisco were once again relived as Angono folks commemorated his 110th birth anniversary on Friday, Nov. 4, in a private cemetery in Angono, Rizal.

Representing Mayor Jeri Mae Calderon and Vice Mayor Gerardo Calderon, the municipal government officials and employees paid tribute to Francisco who was born in 1912.

The Angono Municipal Tourism, Culture and Arts Office led the floral offering at the tomb of Francisco at the Mountain of Eternal Peace managed by the Angono Credit and Development Cooperative located inside the Saint Clement Cemetery.

Francisco, who died on March 31, 1969 at the age of 57, was declared National Artist in 1973 because of his numerous works of arts.

Among Botong’s masterpieces was the mural, ‘Filipino Struggles Through History’ which is now at the National Museum of Fine Arts and originally displayed at the Manila City Hall.

Present at the floral offering ceremony were Botong’s great grandson, Totong Francisco, II and municipal employees. A ‘higante’ version of the national artist was also present in front of his tomb.

Some of the national artist’s murals, which were recreated and cast in cement by the local artists of Angono can be seen on the walls of houses along Doña Aurora Street in Barangay Poblacion Itaas where the gallery of Francisco is also located.