Sir Lao

That was how I called him. He was my college professor for a subject called Freehand Drawing. He was a successful painter with art exhibitions in many parts of the world. While I was still in college, he had one in New York.

I kept teasing him of his royal connection. Hehehe. Sir Lao. Sir because he was knighted by the monarchy. I teased him about that.

Early this morning, I saw a Facebook post about Sir Lao from another professor, Architect Susette Loyola. I initially thought it was a birthday greeting, until I saw 'Rest in Peace' in larger font.

I am sad. He was so encouraging to me back when I was in first and second year college taking up a Bachelor in Fine Arts. He advised me to shift to Advertising Arts from Interior Design. He said my works in his class were really good, and I should keep doing it.

In Interior Design, the most used medium in our classes was watercolor. With Advertising Arts, all mediums would be explored plus there was photography as well.

I didn't heed to his advise. But when my daughter was hired as a graphic artist at a company called Morning Consult in Washington DC, I thought of him. I may not have that career path he strongly advised me to pursue, but my daughter did it for me. When the boy decided to go to art school, I honestly remembered all my mentors, including him.

I am sad. This is so sudden. It's so surreal. This isn't the first time that my college mates and I are hit by this kind of news. In April of 1993, Architect Victor Leyes, our professor and the Fine Arts Department Head of CAFA (College of Fine Arts and Architecture) died suddenly. He was murdered by somebody close to him who was high on drugs.

I was a fresh graduate when he died, and a couple of days prior to his demise, he called me to his office for a job opportunity at an Architectural firm by his friend in Mandaue City, Cebu.

Today, October 3, 2018, Sir Jorge Lao died. I thought he got sick. I had to ask my friend from college who is a colleague now of Sir Lao.

I learned, he died at dawn from a house fire. What's more sad about is he died along with his 3 other siblings. Read the news here.

Thank you, Sir Lao.

Rest in peace.