Aquino Cabacungan Calaustro – Awardee 2007

Aquino Cabacungan Calaustro was born August 31, 1922 to spouses Victor and Martina Calaustro.

In High school he entered the Ilocos Norte Trade School with Building Construction as his vocational course.

He was in his fourth year when the Second World War broke that interrupted his schooling.

In 1942 he married Remedios Agabayani Ibana and they had eleven children. Even after marriage Aquino still pursued to further his studies through the International Correspondence School specializing in Civil Engineering. After two years he took part in different infrastructure projects of the municipality and other provinces.

He supervised the repair of Vintar Municipal Hall during the last term of then Mayor Elias Foronda. But it was during the construction of the Provincial Capitol that Aquino was able to explore his talent in sculpting. Under the supervision and guidance of Mr. Ricarte Puruganan, Aquino learned the techniques and methods of sculpting.

Several works of Tata Aquino can be found in Plazas around the province of Ilocos Norte. Some of his known works are the following: oblation fronting the Provincial Capitol, Lady of Lourdes in Gano Hill, Sta. Rosa, Sarrat, Josefa Llanes Escoda in Dingras, Don Mariano Marcos in the town of Marcos and the Lady of Loudes at the Laoag Cathedral. He also expresses his creativity in pre-cast railings, wall and ceiling tiles, concrete benches and pots, balusters and garden sets.

Tata Aquino is a soft spoken man whose fulfillment is acquired in creating his works of art.

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