Guillermo Tolentino reached the heights of National Artists
Although painting interested him first and second came sculpture
This didn't stop him from stepping into the bigger picture
In 1915, he received his bachelor's degree in visual arts from the University of the Philippines
In 1919, he earned scholarship from Bernard Baruch of New York University's Beaux School of Arts
Of course, he didn't stop here
Tolentino also visited galleries and museums in his years
By 1922, he enrolled into Regge Istituto di Belle Arti
And by 1925, Tolentino became a professor at the UP School of Fine Arts
And this time, the Oblation and the Bonifacio Monument came about
The UP Oblation became a symbol of independence
And the Bonifacio Monument became an emblem for Filipino's yearning for freedom
It became his masterwork, a timeless piece of art
In his excellence, he gained the name Professor Emeritus in his retirement
On July 12, 1976, Guillermo Estrella Tolentino, a stunning artist of his time, passed away at the age of eighty-six
He left behind many works
And due to his remarkable art pieces,
The title "National Artist for Sculpture" was bestowed upon him in 1973
Tolentino is an inspiring figure for artists like us
We might be interested in something not for us
But in the years shall we trust
Our talents will spark and leave behind its mark
Just like how Guillermo Tolentino had
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