If You Believe, no. 2 Print

Roberto Dancel Duldulao went to University of Santo Tomas and the University of the Philippines for his Fine Arts education. It was during this time that he was mentored by Philippine National Artist Jose Joya, who was a big influence on his works. While working for his degree, he did spot illustrations for magazines and joined various exhibits, one of which was the Inter-University Travelling Exhibition where he showcased his early paintings with the likes of Fred Liongoren, Mars Galang, Guillermo Ibañez, Onofre Cabading and many others. In 1962, he sold his first abstract painting to art patron and business tycoon Fernando Zobel and donated it to the Ateneo Art Gallery, quite a feat for a budding artist at that time. Life after college gave way to a prolific corporate career. He joined UP professor Larry Alcala of the Weekly Nation magazine owned and published by the Aranetas. Three years later upon the recommendation of National Artist Bencab, he was invited to take the position as Art Director for Marketing Horizons magazine whose editor-in-chief was Horacio “Ducky” Paredes. In the mid-70’s, he was hired by the Philippine Advertising Counselors (PAC) as Studio Manager and then later promoted to Senior Art Director, a position he helmed until 1988. Foreign shores beckoned soon after. He packed his bags and boarded a plane for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where he would serve as an art director at Memac Advertising. After working abroad for nearly a decade, Roberto retired from advertising and returned to Manila, where he would continue his passion for abstract art to this day.