Francisco V. Coching's showcased at SM Aura

He was recognized as Philippine National Artist for Visual Arts in June 2014 for giving form, in words and artwork, to the complex mix of mythology, romance, human drama, legends and heroes that somehow developed the visual consciousness of the ordinary Filipinos from the 1940s up to his retirement in 1973.

His works are known from past generations up to present time. A lot of characters made by him are still known and famous up to this date. Some of these are Pedro Penduko, Sabas ang Barbero and a lot more.

He mesmerized readers with his ink and brush drawings. Fine fluid lines, dramatic compositions and unusual perspectives are the hallmarks of a Coching artwork. He was a master storyteller, who created plots simmering with action, adventure and fantasy. Almost all of his sixty-some serialized novels were made into popular movies. It is believed that Coching’s komiks helped promote the national language in the country.

Coching succeeded in bridging the gap between fine art and popular art. He initiated aspiing artists into comics ilustration, in fact, his art styłe is still being emulated by countless artists in contemporary art, painting and animation.

In celebration of F. V. Coching’s centennial year in 2019, Ayala Foundation, Inc. and The National Commission for Culture and the Arts co-sponsored an exhibition of his works at the Ayala Museum from October 30, 2018 to February 3, 2019. The tribute continues with another exhibit scheduled at the Pasig Museum during the second quarter of 2019, with an exhibition tour of major nilippir cities being planned simultaneously.