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MetroVanIndependent.com
October 2015
lifestyle
Sofronio Ylanan Mendoza (SYM) works of art.
Featured Artist
Sofronio Ylanan Mendoza (SYM)
VANCOUVER SOCIAL CORNER
By Bert Morelos
Sofronio Ylanan Mendoza, known in
the Philippine and International art circle
as “SYM”, was born in Cebu City, March
11, 1934.
SYM took fine arts courses at University
of Sto. Tomas and University of the East,
both in Manila. But his formative education
came from his Maestro Marino Abellana,
sometimes referred to as Cebu’s Amorsolo.
SYM, the multi-awarded Legendary
Artist, founded the Dimasalang I. The art
movement which was based in Manila
derived its name from Dimasalang Street
in Manila’s Sampaloc district where he
lived and worked. It was inspired by the
French Impressionists and its members
included the likes of journalist and painter
E. Aguilar Cruz, Ibarra dela Rosa, Andres
Cristobal Cruz and Romulo Galicano, his
future brother-in-law. The Dimasalang I
artists began as a casual informal group of
painters who congregated in scenic venues
in Manila and its surrounding suburbia to
paint on-the-spot.
As a natural-born teacher, SYM
mentored many artists. He encouraged the
formation of Dimasalang II which consisted
primarily of his students in Manila, namely
Nestor Villanueva, Carlos Cadid, Godofredo
Mendoza and Vic Larosa.
SYM and his family immigrated to
Vancouver in 1981 and was offered a
four-year work contract by Heffel Gallery
on Granville Street. Two months after
arriving with his wife Elena and seven
young children, Symele, Vilmen, Sovila,
Zael, Ronel, Yvi and Eleza, they moved to
Richmond where they now reside.
SYM in Vancouver generously shared
his vast knowledge, exper tise and
philosophies relating to art where he
formed the Dimasalang III International
Artist Group. The first set of Canadian
Dimasalang in the mid-80s included
Edgardo “ED” Lantin, Rod Pedralba, Noel
Trinidad, Simeon Dee, Maria Apelo Cruz
and Jess Hipiloto.
It was registered as non-profit society
based in British Columbia. The group
continues to grow and remains active.
For decades, SYM was a realist and
impressionist artist favoring street scenes
and landscapes in his motherland and later
in British Columbia. In 2000, he began
going neo-cubist, explaining that it was a
return to his roots. As a student in 1950s, he
had a particular liking for cubism, admiring
the works of Pablo Picasso, Braque and
Gris. According to SYM, there is no more
challenge in realism. He finds cubism
broader and much more interesting. With
neo-cubism, it’s like being a brand newartist. Everything seems fresh. He wouldn’t
talk about retirement and what is definite
is he will continue doing what he loves to
do… He will continue painting every day.
In 2010, SYM in his devotion and
passion for art and as evidence of his
prolific masterful paintings launched his
book, “SYM, THE POWER OF STRUGGLE”
by Alfredo Roces and Sandie Gilis featuring
his life and the highlights of his artworks
from the late 50s to the present.
SYM Mendoza (right) with Bert Morelos (left). The book, “SYM, THE POWER OF STRUGGLE” by Alfredo
Roces and Sandie Gilis featured Mendoza's life and highlights of his artworks from the lat RS2F