Neptalie "Rico" Aunzo, goes by the moniker Pedrong Masipag, which reflects his early trials in life.
Rico paints from the heart and draws inspiration from life experiences, extracting the beauty and optimism out of each experience.
Rico's early life was not easy as he grew up without a father. In order to support his family, he tried various odd jobs including being a house boy, an errand boy, and a street peddler, all while balancing his life as a student.
Due to his early experiences, Rico learned the value of hard work even at an early age. Despite the struggles in his life, his love for painting was always deeply rooted in his being.
Rico paints from the heart and draws inspiration from life experiences, extracting the beauty and optimism out of each experience.
Rico's early life was not easy as he grew up without a father. In order to support his family, he tried various odd jobs including being a house boy, an errand boy, and a street peddler, all while balancing his life as a student.
Due to his early experiences, Rico learned the value of hard work even at an early age. Despite the struggles in his life, his love for painting was always deeply rooted in his being.
He managed to put himself through high school while taking care of his mother and his loved ones and landed a job at a large conglomerate as a training officer.
In his late twenties, he took a leap of faith and left his day job to pursue his passion for art. Despite not having any formal training, he was inspired by national artists and renowned painters such as Ang Kiukok, Bencab, Malang, Manansala, and Botong Francisco. The artists he looked up to and the time he spent observing a variety of art styles from galleries helped him discover techniques he could call his own.
Rico's portrayals of Filipino scenes are different. His unique style of portraiture focusing on geometric shapes along with his dramatic use of pigment make his creations distinct with a style that's completely his own.
In his late twenties, he took a leap of faith and left his day job to pursue his passion for art. Despite not having any formal training, he was inspired by national artists and renowned painters such as Ang Kiukok, Bencab, Malang, Manansala, and Botong Francisco. The artists he looked up to and the time he spent observing a variety of art styles from galleries helped him discover techniques he could call his own.
Rico's portrayals of Filipino scenes are different. His unique style of portraiture focusing on geometric shapes along with his dramatic use of pigment make his creations distinct with a style that's completely his own.
His unique painting style and twist on traditional Filipino portraits have resulted in successful solo exhibits and various group exhibits. His art depicts the positive side of things anchored on family and hard work, befitting of the moniker, Pedrong Masipag.
Rico believes that his art should reflect him as a person, his feelings, and his aspirations. He dreams of sharing many more of his pieces in the homes of more Filipinos, sharing the good values inherent in every piece.
Rico believes that his art should reflect him as a person, his feelings, and his aspirations. He dreams of sharing many more of his pieces in the homes of more Filipinos, sharing the good values inherent in every piece.