Paco gorospe

Francisco “Paco” Gorospe Sy (July 10, 1939 – September 22, 2002) was a Filipino painter, often referred to as the “Picasso of the Philippines.”

Paco Gorospe is one of the most renowned painters in the Philippines. He was born in Binondo, Manila, and drew inspiration from the simple, colorful lifestyles of indigenous tribes in the southern part of the country, such as the Yakans, Bogobos, and Tausugs.

He joined a local group of artists in Ermita, Manila, where he sold his paintings and gradually gained recognition. Paco began with crayons, later transitioned to watercolors, and ultimately shifted to oil paintings. His work attracted the attention of Lydia Arguilla, the founder of the Philippine Art Gallery (PAG), who exhibited his pieces and included over 40 of his paintings in her personal collection.

Gorospe’s first major exhibition, largely thanks to Lydia Arguilla’s support, took place in 1962 at the World’s Fair in Seattle, Washington. Following his participation in the “Century 21” World’s Fair in Seattle, his sales in the United States increased, and in 1964, his works were chosen to represent the Philippines at the World’s Fair in New York.

Other international exhibitions followed, including those in Okinawa, Japan (1972), Baden-Baden, Germany (1989), as well as in Switzerland and Denmark.

In 1990, his painting Sabungeros (“cockfighting”) was selected by Philippine Airlines for the cover of their playing cards distributed to passengers.