Learn about St. Malo, Ilocano Foods, and the Art Nelson Left Behind in 2026!

Art Nelson Left Behind

The "Found Story" and the Vessel of Memory

The heart of this collection lies in an unexpected encounter in May 2025 between organizer Chiara Cox and Maria Lourdes Pérez Muñiz, a Puerto Rican neighbor of the late Nelson Baldemor. Nelson, a Filipino American living in Virginia, passed away suddenly in 2021 with no next of kin. This collection was transformed from salvaged belongings into an homage when the work on the archive unexpectedly aligned perfectly with Nelson’s birthday, signaling the enduring power of art to link generations and cultures across time.

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Manuel BaldemorFilipino, born in Paete, Laguna, Philippines, b. 1947colored photograph3.5" x 5"
This photograph of the celebrated Filipino artist Manuel Baldemor was cherished by his cousin Nelson.

Manuel Baldemor (b. 1947) is a celebrated Filipino painter, sculptor, printmaker, writer, and book illustrator whose work has become emblematic of Filipino artistic identity. Known for his distinctive stylized forms, vibrant colors, and geometric compositions, Baldemor often draws on the rhythms and textures of rural Philippine life, capturing scenes of everyday work, festivals, landscapes, and community gatherings. His art celebrates the Filipino people—their resilience, warmth, and deep connections to family, tradition, and homeland—while also addressing universal themes of memory, belonging, and human experience. Over decades, his work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, earning recognition for its unique ability to blend personal narrative with collective cultural memory.

A Micro-History of a Diaspora

Among the belongings left behind by his cousin Nelson Baldemor were several of Manuel’s works, carefully preserved as tangible reminders of their shared heritage. For Nelson, keeping these pieces was both an expression of family pride and a reflection on cultural memory: through them, he maintained a connection to the Philippines and the enduring stories of heritage that art can carry across time and distance.

Manuel Baldemor Poster and Books

Baldemor has had numerous shows at the Philippine Center in New York City. Here is a link to his most recent show in 2015.

Manuel Baldemor's UNICEF CARDS

Baldemor has been a contributing artist for UNICEF Cards for almost 20 years, introducing the world to the beauty of the Philippines and the colors of our people.

Here are some of the cards from Manuel's own correspondences to his family that Nelson collected using his global platform to bridge the gap between fine art and personal correspondence.

Manuel Baldemor Prints

Manuel BaldemorFilipino, born in Paete, Laguna, Philippines, b. 1947
Cañao Dance, 1983handsigned and datedartist proof etching in original frame by artist10" x 10"
The Cañao, or Kanyaw, is a traditional festival of the Igorot peoples of Benguet in the Cordillera Mountains of Northern Luzon. It is a thanksgiving ritual offering pigs, chickens, cows, or carabaos to their deity, Kabunyan. Music, dance, and communal feasting mark the celebration. In this etching, a couple dances at the center, wrapped in handwoven textiles, as gong players and onlookers gather against the backdrop of the mountains—a vivid portrayal of unity, rhythm, and reverence.

Manuel BaldemorFilipino, born in Paete, Laguna, Philippines, b. 1947
Food on the Roof, 1983handsigned and datedartist proof etching in original frame by artist10" x 10"
This etching depicts families gathered inside their bahay kubo—traditional houses made of bamboo and palm leaves. In the center, an array of dishes and clay pots is spread across the rooftops, forming a grand communal meal. The scene celebrates the Filipino tradition of shared meals, a symbol of family connection, abundance, and gratitude.

Manuel BaldemorFilipino, born in Paete, Laguna, Philippines, b. 1947
Jeepney, 1983handsigned and datedartist proof etching in original frame by artist10" x 10"
A symbol of Filipino ingenuity and identity, the Jeepney was born from surplus U.S. military jeeps left after World War II. Transformed into brightly decorated vehicles with parallel benches for passengers, they became both practical and expressive works of art. Today, Jeepneys remain the most popular—and iconic—form of public transportation in the Philippines.

Manuel BaldemorFilipino, born in Paete, Laguna, Philippines, b. 1947
Good Harvest, 1983handsigned and datedartist proof etching in original frame by artist10" x 10"
In this print, women in the foreground hull rice, while a kerosene lamp illuminates a dish of fish beside them. Behind, a mother and child gaze from the window of their bahay kubo—a traditional home made of bamboo and palm leaves. The scene celebrates the abundance of daily life, reflecting the deep cultural importance of rice and fish—essential sustenance and enduring symbols of Filipino resilience and community.

Manuel BaldemorFilipino, born in Paete, Laguna, Philippines, b. 1947
Harvestime, 1983handsigned and datedetching 26/3214 3/4" x 17"
This print depicts families in their bahay kubo—traditional houses made of bamboo and palm leaves—engaged in various stages of planting and harvesting. At the center stands a fruit-bearing tree surrounded by villagers gathering its bounty. The scene symbolizes the communal effort of nourishing a barangay, or village, reflecting the spirit of cooperation that sustains Filipino life.

Manuel BaldemorFilipino, born in Paete, Laguna, Philippines, b. 1947
Lambingan Bridge, 1983handsigned and datedetching 25/3214 3/4" x 17"
In Tagalog, lambing means the act of showing affection or tenderness, while lambingan refers to the warmth shared between two people. At the center of this print is the Lambingan Bridge, connecting two sides of a lakeside village. Around it, families fish, cook, share meals, and rest together—simple gestures of love woven into daily life. The bridge becomes a symbol of connection and affection, reflecting the central place of love and togetherness in Filipino culture.

Manuel Baldemor Paintings

Manuel BaldemorFilipino, born in Paete, Laguna, Philippines, b. 1947
Untitled, 1986mixed media in original frame by artist18.5" x 16"
This painting depicts a Filipino brass band, with musicians dressed in colorful shirts, sombreros, and handkerchiefs. Brass bands became a beloved feature of Philippine towns, evolving from Spanish colonial military ensembles into vibrant local traditions. Originally trained by Spanish military musicians, Filipino performers later formed their own community groups that played European, American, and local music. By the early 20th century, these bands had become the heartbeat of civic life—performing at religious festivals and parade. The scene celebrates music as a unifying force in Filipino culture, blending colonial influences with local creativity and joy.

Manuel BaldemorFilipino, born in Paete, Laguna, Philippines, b. 1947
Untitled, 1986mixed media in original frame by artist18.5" x 16"
The carabao, or domestic water buffalo, is a national symbol of the Philippines—representing strength, perseverance, and the hardworking spirit of its people. The carabao is vital in rural life, providing farmer's with power, milk, and meat. In this painting, however, the animals are shown at rest—swimming and grazing peacefully in fields—offering a rare, tender glimpse of tranquility.
This signed work was a birthday gift from the artist to Dr. Anita Baldemor, the mother of Nelson.

The objects we choose to keep reflect what we hold dear.

These works of art by his cousin were treasured by Nelson as enduring symbols of family and the Philippines.