EDUARDO

MUTUC
G AWA D S A M A N L I L I K H A N G
B AYA N AWA R D E E

G R A P H I C O R G A N I Z E R P R E S E N T E D B Y: E M M A N U E L R A F A E L D . M AY U G A
EDUARDO MUTUC
METALSMITH & ARTIST
October 12, 1949
Eduardo Mutuc is 69 year-old artist
from Apalit, Pampanga known for making
religious and secular arts. He was a recipient
of the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan or
National Living Treasure Award in 2004.
Mutuc is reviving the Spanish colonial-era
craft of Plateria or Pukpuk. It is a meticulous
embossing method that flourished during the
Spanish colonial times. He sculpts his
detailed artworks like retablos, mirrors, altars,
and carosas from silver, bronze, and wood.
Some of his works can exceed 40 feet while
the others feature smaller size,
like cherubin, and delicate craftmanship.
The process of pukpok entails carving a design on a
piece of wood, over which Eduardo adds a
metal sheet. He then proceeds to emboss the design
by pounding the metal gently using a mallet and
an old rubber slipper. Afterward, he dips
the solid metal sheet in molten silver. He
then proceeds to do more hammering and polishing
to bring out the details of the piece.
MUTUC'S STUDIO
As an elementary level graduate, he
needs to work harder to earn additional
income for his family. He was 29 years
old, working as a farmer, when he
decided to sculpt wood carving where
he became an apprentice to
furniture carvers. After five years of
working, a colleague taught him silver
plating which is used in making gold and
silver leaves.
CHURCH FIGURINES
 DTI's Sikat
Pinoy National
Art Fair (NAF)

Eduardo Mutuc
graced the opening
of the fair as one
of the Special
Guests with NAF
Curator Albert
Avellana.
He notes that handmade pieces are finer and more delicate
than machine pressed pieces, particularly
when commissioned pieces involve human representations.
“Facial expressions are among the hardest to do”
says Mutuc who uses different molds for each cherub to
ensure their individuality. His cherubin are
engaging creatures, whose strikingly lifelike quality comes
through the silverplate.
 ART APPRECIATION
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
MEDIUM WOOD, SILVER, & INABILITY TO REPAIR
BRONZE ONCED CARVED BY
MISTAKE
TECHNIQUES FORCE CONTROL ON INHALATION OF
HAMMERING POISONOUS FUMES
FROM MOLTEN SILVER
CREATIVE PROCESS ACCURACY AND MORE ON RELIGIOUS
SYMMETRY SUBJECTS ONLY
PERSONS INVOLVED RAMON OBUSAN N/A
(BUYER)
ART EXHIBITIONS
CRUXIFIX IN SPANISH COLONIAL-ERA STYLE
CHURCH FIGURINES
The Plancha
embossed metal art design
Mutuc’s works are more than merely decorative. They
add character and splendor to their setting. His
spectacular shiny retablos that decorate an apse or
chapel provide focus for contemplation and devotion
while the faithful commune with the Divine in regular
church celebrations.
According to him, craftsmanship begins with respect
for one’s tools and the medium. The only way
to improve one’s skills, he says, is to immerse oneself,
learn the technique, and to practice. Only in
perfecting one’s craft can there be real reward.
 EDUARDO MUTUC'S ACCESSORIES
DESIGN COLLABORATION
Manila FAME’s October 2018 edition got a very rare treat with
Agsam Fashion Fern Accessories’ special collaborative collection
featuring Eduardo Mutuc and Surigao's indigenous
weavers. Mutuc parlayed his skills for a limited edition jewelry line
that recalls particular moments in the histories of Pampanga and
Surigao, where Agsam Fern Fashion Accessories is based. The
components were then assembled into necklaces to create a
dramatic contrast between Eduardo’s gleaming metal plates and the
rustic agsam fern pieces.
A gold-plated
pendant set
against agsam
fern weavings
A bib necklace made
from agsam fern and
gold-plated pendants
THE END