{"status":true,"msg":{"data":{"id":56092,"auction_id":109,"set_id":143,"lot_number":"266","artist":"Roger San Miguel (b. 1940)","title":"a.) Trabahador b.) Trabahador II","starting_price":40000,"signed_dated":"a.) signed (lower right and verso) b.) signed (lower left and verso)","medium":"oil on canvas","size":"36” x 24” (91 cm x 61 cm) each","property":"PROPERTY FROM THE GUALBERT V. PICACHE COLLECTION","coa":null,"provenance":null,"exhibited":null,"literature":null,"write_up":"Atty. Gualbert V. Picache was a distinguished leader in business and banking, serving as the former President of PSBank before its acquisition by the MetroBank Group, and holding the distinction of being one of its first Directors at its founding. He also led St. Christopher Steel Corporation as President and was a respected board member of Elizalde Steel Rolling Mills. Beyond finance, he presided over the Letran Alumni Association from 1980 to 1986 and was honored as Most Outstanding Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow in 1986 by the Rotary Club of Downtown Manila, among other distinctions. A man of remarkable success and tireless energy, he built an impressive career, enriched by a deep appreciation for art and architecture that guided his broader contributions.
In 1962, Picache and his parents, all admirers of art and design, constructed the Picache Building in Quiapo’s Plaza Miranda to house PSBank’s main office. Designed by the renowned national architect Angel Nakpil, this 12-story structure—recognized as the Philippines’ first true skyscraper—stood tall over Manila’s skyline, paving the way for the city’s architectural future. Devout in faith as well as culture, Picache and his family were committed supporters of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo Church and Our Lady of La Naval in Sto. Domingo Church. Their properties often hosted feasts and gatherings after processions—events close to Picache’s heart—where he sponsored celebrations and welcomed priests, politicians, friends, and devotees. In his youth, Picache showed a flair for watercolor and sculpture, but the demands of his professional life, many roles inherited from his late father, shifted his focus from creating art to championing it. During the challenging 1980s, as political unrest threatened the art community, he became a patron of local artists like Paco Gorospe, Roger San Miguel, and Leonardo Zablan, amongst others. His support went beyond collecting; he provided residencies, studios, and materials, ensuring these talents could thrive amid uncertainty.
In the late 1980s, Picache and his wife Marina took a significant step in their commitment to the arts by establishing the Regent Art Gallery in San Francisco’s prestigious Union Square. Located in one of the most celebrated cultural and commercial hubs in the United States, the gallery became an important platform for Filipino artists, introducing their work to an international audience. Through this endeavor, he offered not just exposure but a stage for recognition, reflecting his belief - rooted in his success as a businessman - that art could cross borders and gain the global appreciation it deserved.
Today, Picache’s collection stands as a testament to his refined taste and steadfast dedication to fostering artistic talent. As a selection of his collection comes to auction at Leon Gallery, we invite you to explore the remarkable journey of Gualbert V. Picache, a journey that celebrates his profound impact, cementing his place as a devoted patron of Philippine art and culture.","lot_group":"PAINTING","lot_details_html":"
Roger San Miguel (b.1940) a.) Trabahador signed (lower right and verso) oil on canvas 36” x 24” (91 cm x 61 cm)
b.) Trabahador II signed (lower left and verso) oil on canvas 36” x 24” (91 cm x 61 cm)