Fernando Amorsolo is renowned the world over for his gorgeous paintings that capture life in the Philippines and the beauty of the Filipino people. PinoyLUG, a registered LEGO Users Group from the Philippines, celebrated Amorsolo’s 50th death anniversary with stunning LEGO recreations of three of the famous painter’s masterpieces. Currently on display at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Project AMORsolo is a labor of love that showcases Filipino talent and national pride.

Fernando Amorsolo, The Master Artist

Fernando Amorsolo. By Unknown author - http://tumblr.malacanang.gov.ph/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50864227

Fernando Cueto Amorsolo was a Filipino painter born in Manila, Philippines on May 30, 1892. Amongst his best known works are landscapes, historical scenes, and portraits of everyday people. Amorsolo was an avid user of natural light in his paintings, and his Chiaroscuro technique became his artistic trademark. He is an important influence on contemporary Filipino art and artists, and was honored as the first National Artist of the Philippines posthumously in 1972.

LEGO Builders as Cultural Ambassadors

PinoyLUG is a recognized LEGO Users Group from the Philippines with beginnings dating back to 2014. One of their goals is to promote Filipino culture through their various builds, often displayed at pop-culture conventions such as ToyConPh. Project AMORsolo was conceived by PinoyLUG Ambassador, Leslie Araujo, as PinoyLUG’s biggest and most challenging exhibit to date.

Members of PinoyLUG at the opening of Project AMORsolo. Photo courtesy of Leslie Araujo.

Building Masterpieces in the Midst of a Global Pandemic

Three of Amorsolo’s masterpieces were chosen to be rendered into LEGO: Bayanihan, Dalagang Bukid, and Early Traders. “We chose these paintings specifically because of the display of Bayanihan during the pandemic, the importance of Filipino women in our society, and the prevalence of foreigners who come to do business in the Philippines,” explains Leslie.

Comparison of Bayanihan: Original by Fernando Amorsolo and LEGO Mosaic by PinoyLUG. Photos from the Manila Bulletin and Leslie Araujo.

Comparison of Dalagang Bukid: Original by Fernando Amorsolo and LEGO Mosaic by PinoyLUG. Photos from the Manila Bulletin and Leslie Araujo.

Comparison of Early Traders: Original by Fernando Amorsolo and LEGO Mosaic by PinoyLUG. Photos from the Manila Bulletin and Leslie Araujo.

After the subject paintings were chosen, PinoyLUG members were recruited for a mysterious project initially called Project “AMOR”, (in Spanish it means “LOVE”). The members were grouped into teams, one team per mosaic. Individuals were given mysterious patterns to fill on a LEGO plate. The plan was to host a gathering and invite everyone to assemble the final mosaic, turning Project AMOR into Project AMORsolo. Sadly, due to pandemic restrictions, no gathering was held until the soft launch. Instead, team leaders gathered all the pieces and checked that all were built according to the specs provided. Pulling off such a collaborative build with 82 builders - in the midst of a pandemic and the longest lockdown in history - was a logistical masterpiece on its own.

Leslie credited several members of PinoyLUG for playing key roles in building Project AMORsolo: Klark Villanueva, the chief pattern maker who oversaw all the teams and ensured that no detail was missed, and Alejandro Ryan Chua, logistics lead who made sure that all teams have what they need to build their contributions. Sourcing materials for the builders was particularly difficult because of the pandemic. A lot of shipping delays were encountered but the spirit of bayanihan (loosely translated, “communal unity”), inspired the builders to help each other complete the project on time nonetheless.

After completing the build, another challenge appeared: framing. Michael John Ng Cha and Jefferson Herrera worked together to create frames for the mosaics that were simple yet elegant, but sturdy enough to allow the artwork to be hung or to stand on its own.

Leslie also thanked the local distributor of LEGO in the Philippines, Ban Kee Trading headed by Eric Bautista, for providing support to the project: “We are blessed that the LEGO Certified Stores Philippines had been with us until the finishing and formal opening at CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines).”

It took PinoyLUG more than one year of building and putting together, but the results were well worth the effort.

Amorsolo in LEGO

Even in pictures, the mosaics are breathtaking. PinoyLUG’s builders have managed to capture the play of light that makes Amorsolo’s works so distinctive. Seeing it up close is a wonder, especially for AFOLs who understand the effort (and painful fingers) required to create such a piece. The overall stud count is at an impressive 144,384, with over 130,000 estimated LEGO elements used.

Here are more details for each mosaic:

BAYANIHAN

Mosaic Size: 60 (h) x 85 (w) inches
Size with Frame: 165 (h) x 228 (w) cm
Base plates: 6 (h) x 8.5 (w) ; 48 pcs. of (32 x 32 plate) ; 6 pcs. of (16 x 32 plate)
52,224 LEGO stud count
42,000 Estimated LEGO elements used
Team Leaders: Alejandro Ryan Chua | Michael John Ng Cha
Pattern-Maker: Klark Villanueva
Builders: Roan Joy Chua • Justine Raine Chua • Alden Reed Chua • Randulph ua • Raymund Chua • Kandice Chua • Ronald Chua • Jocelyn Chua • Rianne Francesca Chua • Bernard V. Sison • Bobby San Miguel • Chuck Cabrera • Benicio Cabrera • Djhoanna Juni • Elmer Glenn Bautista • Erwin Jeffrey "Jeff" Elona • Herbert Joei Bactong • Jay Gan • Trahan Lucho Gan • Trevys Isaac Gan • Jonathan Lee • Lawrence Francis Yu • Leslie Araujo • Marvin Ryan B. Chua • Haley Ryanne L. Chua • Liam Kevin L. Chua • Pablito De Villa Jr. • Ralyn Leo-Niko Baroro • Ronald Allan So • Raphaell Aaron So • Ronaldo J. Santos

DALAGANG BUKID

Mosaic Size: 60 (h) x 45 (w) inches
Size with Frame: 165 (h) cm x 126 (w) cm
Base plates: 12; 4 (h) x 3 (w) 48 x 48 plates
27,648 LEGO stud count
36,000 Estimated LEGO elements used
Team Leaders: Cris Dumlao | Amy Rose Afunggol-Principe | Minnie Zialcita
Pattern-Maker: Klark Villanueva
Builders: Adora Macatangay • Ashlee Summer Manalac • Brenda Mae Dumlao • Eleu Bolinao • Jac Candelaria • Jean Alcoriza Suñer • Kwini Orozco • Marj Lontoc • Marla De Castro-Rausch • Mimi Tecson • Ness Pamulaklakin • Teng De Guzman • Yhola Beltran

EARLY TRADERS

Mosaic Size: 90 (h) x 70 (w) inches
Size with Frame: 248 (h) x 190 (w) cm
Base plates: 9 (h) x 7 (w); 63 pcs. of (32 x 32 plate)
64,512 LEGO stud count
52,000 Estimated LEGO elements used
Team Leaders: Genesis Badajos | Jonjon Principe
Pattern-Maker: Klark Villanueva | Logistics: Alejandro Ryan Chua
Builders: Allan Ambrad • Aleaina Christlyn Rj Ambrad • Analiza Benitez • Arlie Iglesia Ramirez • Azrael Coladilla • Benjamin Caruncho III • Bernardo "Neb" Andico • Bjorn Molinyawe • Bobby San Miguel • Cale Matthew R. Abellada • Crae Michael R. Abellada • Cris Dumlao • Cyrus Serrano • Dave Valeriano • Adora Macatangay • Dorothea Amaraj Macatangay • Earljon de Castro • Deangelo Jacob de Castro • Emil Yap • Ice Diño Seguerra • Jac Candelaria • Jayvee Banaag • Jean Alcoriza Suñer • Jaira Marie A. Suñer • Jeff Benitez • Kristine Buban • Leonardo T. Valenzuela • Leslie Araujo • Manrico Gianne Malong • Maria Mylene Lidovina Pablo Ramos • Raphaelle Pablo Ramos • Moize Roxas • Mu Florentino • Ness Pamulaklakin • Ralyn Leo-Niko Baroro • Reymond Aglipay • Vianne Aglipay • Teng De Guzman • TL Salazar Guanzon • Yhola Beltran

Leaving a Legacy

When asked what was the best thing about Project AMORsolo, Leslie talked about the legacy PinoyLUG members leave behind with this work. “Each participant in Project AMORsolo has accomplished his/her mission with pride. In doing this project, we are also continuing to bridge the past with the present through the legacy of art that speaks of our history, patriotism, and cultural pride. And we are doing so with fun. Years from now, our children and those that follow after them would accomplish more – looking beyond what we have done today. That is the legacy that we, at PinoyLUG would like to leave to our LEGO families. Creativity and Change. To look beyond play, with remembrance, with love, and with pride.”

“Project AMORsolo” is currently on display at the Bulwagang Carlos V. Francisco (Little Theater Lobby) Cultural Center of the Philippines, Roxas Boulevard, in Pasay City, Philippines from April 29 to May 29, 2022 (Tuesday to Sunday | 10 a.m to 6 p.m.). It is under the sponsorship of Lego Certified Stores Philippines and the Manila Bulletin.

What other paintings have you seen in LEGO form? Tell us about them in the comments below!

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