Carlos ‘Totong’ Francisco II: Art on His Own Terms
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Carlos "Totong" Francisco II has made his mark as a premier visual artist in the Philippines (Photo courtesy of Carlos "Totong" Francisco II)
He focuses on abstraction because it brings out the best of him. “I find it very challenging and fun and yet very sophisticated in its respective ways,” he elaborates. “There’s so much to it that maybe only a few would understand. I guess I can see my personality in it.” He subscribes to Abstract Expressionism, mainly using acrylics, but also loves to do some mixed media and a bit of experimentation with other materials.
HALO #2, 24 x 18 inches, Acrylic on canvas, 2022 (Photo courtesy of Carlos “Totong” Francisco II)
Totong’s technique is simple and playful, using sponges and rollers and creating a transparent cubist effect, which is perfect for his distorted and elongated abstract figures and approach.
He believes that art is truly universal and has no boundaries. “I believe art is everything.” He adds, “It evolves around us and pushes our creative thinking with passion, heart, and mind, establishing the very foundation of creative imagination.”
Double Blues #2, 4 x 4 ft., Acrylic on canvas, 2023 (Photo courtesy of Carlos “Totong” Francisco II)
Totong’s success can be gleaned from the people who collect his artworks. Renowned stage, film, and television director C. J. Andaluz of Manila remarks, “I collect Totong’s Christ and Passion artworks. I like his style, colors, and strokes … simple and yet impactful.” On the other hand, architect Oscar E. de la Cruz of Los Angeles can’t explain Totong’s artworks in words. “What matters are my feelings when experiencing Totong’s artworks,” he observes. “They have surprise, voice, or soul.”
Totong was born and bred in Angono, Rizal, which is supposedly the Philippines’ art capital. When he was growing up, most of the Angono visual artists were doing local subjects in the manner of his grandfather, Botong. They were simple realism.
Urban Parody #5, 36 x 48 inches, Acrylic on canvas, 2023 (Photo courtesy of Carlos “Totong” Francisco II)
His artistic genes were evident early on when as a teenager he was a member of the art group, Angono Junior Ateliers, and participated in art exhibitions. He has an undergraduate degree in fine arts, majoring in painting, from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.
Totong used to experiment on different media during his high-school and college years. He became a full-time visual artist beginning in 1996, two years after college. He was doing his grandfather’s style, desperately trying to be a good figurative visual artist like him. Eventually, he ended up seeking more of his inner passion and finding his style. By the year 2002, he was already into abstraction. From thereon, he became more confident of his style.
There was a point when an artwork by him was mistaken for that of his grandfather because of his signature. People would say, "I never knew Botong was also into abstraction."
His local influences started with his grandfather, Botong, and some of the latter’s contemporaries, like Cesar Legaspi, Ang Kiukok, Jose Joya, and Vicente Manansala, to name a few. However, he is more fascinated by the works of internationally well-known artists, such as Picasso, Francis Bacon, and the early works of Jackson Pollock.
What inspires him? “My family, my experiences, and what surrounds me, especially God’s creations, motivate me in my artistic endeavors,” he replies.
Totong enjoys working with young people. He established The Second Gallery, which is adjacent to grandfather Botong’s house studio, to showcase the artworks of up-and-coming visual artists. He teaches them how and why to dream. “I always tell them that the keys to an artistic career are passion, heart, mind, and, most importantly, they should be at home in their chosen field.”
What is it like to live in the shadow of his famous grandfather? “Living in his shadow is most challenging because expectations and comparisons are always at the doorstep,” he replies. “Nonetheless, there are advantages and disadvantages, but I couldn’t ask for more.” He is proud that he is Botong’s grandson and is doing his best to keep the artistic blood in the family.
Being named after his grandfather could bring comic moments. There was a point when an artwork by him was mistaken for that of his grandfather because of his signature. People would say, “I never knew Botong was also into abstraction.” Later, they would say, “Oh, it’s the grandson Totong’s work!”
Carlos “Totong” Francisco II has made his mark as a premier visual artist in the Philippines. His colors, form, materials, and surface interact to bring out emotions, sensibilities, or memories. His abstract paintings take you in like nobody else.
Primo Pacis is a journalism graduate of the University of the Philippines in Quezon City. Originally from Vintar, Ilocos Norte, he resides in the Los Angeles area. He is a retired IT consultant. He is devoting more time to coming out with a collection of writings dedicated to his late wife, Sonia.
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