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<a href="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources/tampinco.webp" rel="lightbox" title="Isabelo Tampinco">
<img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources/tampinco.webp"  alt="Isabelo Tampinco" />
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(Isabelo Tampinco)
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<p>
His work included the Manila Cathedral's famous facade, the high relief on <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/2826/today-in-philippine-history-january-1-1588-the-santo-domingo-church-founded-by-the-spanish-dominicans-in-1587-was-inaugurated" class="news_link">Santo Domingo Church</a>'s molave door, the main altar of Laoag Cathedral and wood carvings in San Agustin Church.
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<p>
Tampinco started out at a young age, apprenticing in the various carving shops of Binondo and Santa Cruz districts. Later at age 15, he enrolled at <i>Academia de Dibujo y Pintura</i>, Manila's prominent art academy where national hero <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1190/today-in-philippine-history-june-19-1861-dr-jose-p-rizal-was-born-in-calamba-laguna" class="news_link">Jose Rizal</a> was a classmate.
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<p>
His interest in and talent for sculpture was not surprising since he was a descendant of Binondo-based Chinese carvers. The lineage of his mother can be traced to Rajah Lakandula, a native Filipino royal who lived before Spain colonized the Philippines.
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<p>
Tampinco's first major feat as a sculptor came at age 26 when he was chosen as Philippine representative at the Universal Exposition in Philadelphia in the United States.
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<p>
For his talent and skill, he received numerous awards
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<ul class="k-list">
<li>
The Medal of Honor from Governor General Domingo Moriones
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<li>
Silver medal at the Tercentenary Celebrations of Saint Theresa of Avila in 1882
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<li>
Silver medal and Diploma of Honor at the Philippine General Exposition held in Madrid in 1887
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<li>
Gold medal from art competitions held at the Universal Exposition of Barcelona (1888)
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Gold medal at the Philippine Regional Exposition in Manila (1895) and 
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<li>
Gold medal at Saint Louis World's Fair (1904)
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</ul>
<p>
Tampinco passed away on January 30, 1933. 
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<h4>
Source:
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<ol class="article-sources">
<li>
Philippine News Agency archives
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</ol>



Today in Filipino History, November 19, 1850, Isabelo Tampinco was born in Binondo, Manila