Paco Gorospe

Francisco "Paco" Gorospe (10 July 1939 – 22 September 2002) was a Filipino painter, called the "Picasso of the Philippines".

Paco Gorospe is one of the famous painters of the Philippines. [cite web | title = Press Release of the Philippine DFA | url= http://www.dfa.gov.ph/news/pr/pr2007/mar/pr150.htm] He was born in Binondo, Manila. He was inspired by the simple and colourful lifestyle of native tribes from the south of the country such as the Yakans, the Bogobos and the TausugsFact|date=January 2008.

He joined a local group of artists in Ermita, Manila and sold his paintings locally, gradually gaining recognition.Paco started with crayons, later using water colours but finally shifted to oil paintings.

Gorospe's first major exhibition took place in 1962 at the Washington State Fair. US sales increased and in 1964 his works were chosen to represent the Philippines at the New York World FairFact|date=January 2008.

Other foreign exhibitions followed including Okinawa, Japan (1972), Baden-Baden, Germany (1989), Switzerland and DenmarkFact|date=January 2008.

In 1990 his work Sabungeros (cockfighting) was chosen by Philippine Airlines for the cover of their playing cards given to the Passenger. [ cite web | title = Sample of PAL playing cards | url= http://www.hgimages.dircon.co.uk/playcard/phi/catphi.htm ]

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