Portraits of a Framemaker

UPON entering Johnny Soriano's house-cum-workplace at the Manila Doctor's Village in Las Pinas. One is over whelmed by the sheer number of frames of different sizes that cluster the walls and every conceivable space of Johnny's domain.

One frame walls in a vintage advertisement of American products taken 25 years ago. Another frame preserves a scenic shot in Baguio captured in eternity by Masferre. Still another frame keeps intact for posterity a painting of H.R. Ocampo. Johnny's frames majority of them are paintings of artist's young and old who are his friends of long standing. Johnny Soriano is not an ordinary wood framer: he is an artist in his own right.

Because he is also an art restorer and a museum archivist. Johnny has nibbled elbows with the high and mighty of Philippine society who wants their photographs, paintings and vintage items framed with an artistic touch. They go to Johnny because they trust his craftsmanship."Money is secondary." Johnny says. "It's the commitment that matters. I feel exploited if no artistry is involved in framing."

As a framer. Johnny works by appointment. This means that he cannot be rushed into doing something haphazardly "I don't want to sound snooty." Johnny says. "But I do framing by appointment only. I have not gone fully commercial yet. Maybe, next year. You see, framing is my first love." Johnny adds. Johnny started framing when he was twenty-six years old. But his training was that of a draftsman. After apprenticing as a framer, he attended an art conservation and design course conducted by the Thomas Jefferson Cultural Center. And that set him off to another career - that of a restorer. "I do massive installation of paintings and sculptures in churches," Johnny says. I work with metal, wood and brass. Restoration entails a lot of research. "Johnny adds. And indeed, Johnny's cabinet is filled with art books, mostly by local painters, from which he sources a wealth of information for his restoration work.

As an art restorer, Johnny services both private and government museums including the art departments of hotels. Specifically, he counts Manila Hotel and Hotel Intercon as his clients. Since 1969. Johnny has worked in the Malacanang Museum, and with the Ayala Museum headed by Sonia Ner. But it is as a framer that Johnny has gained recognition and attracted a loyal following. High government officials and business tycoons commission Johnny on a regular basis.

One of these notables is Don Jaime Zobel who keeps Johnny on his toes for framing jobs. And Johnny is thrilled no end. Especially when Don Jaime Zobel expressing his satisfaction over Johnny's expertise, pens a handwritten note: "To Johnny, a true artist, but above all a friend. "Almost all painters of national caliber are Johnny's clients and they reward him with copies of their books with personal dedications.

Johnny treasures these notes, memorabilia to the future. So inclusive is Johnny's association with the world of painters that the Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) knocks on his door for framing paintings during auctions and exhibitions. In spite of his fame, Johnny has remained a simple man with simple needs. And he is imbued with a mission to nurture young painters. "I frame their paintings. I supply them frames and canvases. And I support them in painting contests," Johnny says.

As a result of his commitment to paintings, Johnny has several times been invited as a judge and organizer of art competitions. Johnny Soriano is a man of many faces and phases. Draftsman, framer, art restorer, museum archivist, patron of young painters - and would be furniture maker of old wood. "I've always been independent," Johnny says. Leaving Tuguegarao at a young age, Johnny shows his fierce streak of independence by refusing to work for institutions, which could have rewarded him with financial gains.

Instead, he opted to blaze his own trail, one which was long and arduous, armed with a vision for excellence, and crowned with a coterie of customers. Indeed, it could be said that Johnny Soriano is in the right frame of mind.