During the mid-Spanish colonial period, a distinctive painting style emerged in the Philippine Islands, diverging from the prevailing religious art genre. Characterized by wood panel supports, a predominantly red and black color palette, and a naive depiction of the human figure, these works have been retrospectively grouped under the designation “Bohol School of Paintings” due to their association with the island of Bohol. While the identities of the original artists remain largely unknown, art scholars and collectors recognize the significance of this unique visual tradition.

Inspired by this captivating heritage, local artist Guy Custodio has created a series of reinterpretations, blending techniques gleaned from his study of extant artifacts and informed by his exposure to similar works during his time in Europe. The resulting pieces, while evocative of an earlier era, are not intended as reproductions, but rather as original interpretations of a distinctive local art form, imbuing the Bohol School style with a contemporary sensibility.

By Marianito Jose M. Luspo

Historian and Heritage Advocate

1959 – 2025

National Historical Commission of the Philippines