Uncle Bob, the builder

Roberto Cruz YumulOwnerAtelier Betismo

“I think we can create some kind of an exciting revolution in Pateros. With the help of our Atelier Betismo artists who are committed to the same goal of developing arts in Pateros, our plan is, from this little camp, we will be building enthusiasm and excitement.”

TUCKED away in the serene enclave of Huntahang Pateros, Atelier Betismo feels less like a traditional gallery and more like a backyard sanctuary.

Under an open-air pavilion lit by the warm glow of string lights and a gentle ceiling fan, the space remains quiet, save for the presence of a few resident artists and the man who built it all — Roberto Cruz Yumul, known to everyone as Uncle Bob.

While many spend their retirement in quiet repose, Uncle Bob, a Filipino-Mexican educator and entrepreneur, has spent the last year building something much larger than himself. Remarkably, his own journey as a painter began only nine months ago.

Within that short span, his talent caught the eyes of hotel owners in Mexico who purchased his works to fill their rooms with soul and color. Now, he has returned home to turn his personal passion into a communal movement.

For Uncle Bob, Atelier Betismo is more than a studio; it is a “home for ideas, memory and shared making.” His return to his roots in Pateros was spurred by a profound personal revelation — a dream in which his mother spoke to him, calling him back to the Philippines.

For Roberto Yumul, Atelier Betismo is a ‘home for ideas, memory and shared making.’ CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

As a self-confessed “mama’s boy,” Uncle Bob’s values of gentleness and responsibility were shaped by the woman who raised him. This devotion is the foundation of his belief that success finds its true meaning when it uplifts others.

By building Atelier Betismo, he has created a space where tradition meets the present and where local voices are given room to be seen.

“I think we can create some kind of an exciting revolution in Pateros,” Uncle Bob said. “With the help of our Atelier Betismo artists who are committed to the same goal of developing arts in Pateros, our plan is, from this little camp, we will be building enthusiasm and excitement.”

Uncle Bob is not alone in this mission.

For Roberto Yumul, Atelier Betismo is a ‘home for ideas, memory and shared making.’ CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Atelier Betismo currently houses eight to nine resident artists — a collective of local contractors and creators that remains open to new talent. Together, they are pushing the boundaries of traditional painting by incorporating Torniando de Alambre (wire turning).

This technique aims to make the paintings more three-dimensional, literally pulling the subjects off the canvas. A prime example of this innovation is their work inspired by Claude Monet’s Sunflowers.

By blending the impressionist use of light and color with the structural complexity of wire, the studio creates pieces that bridge the gap between painting and sculpture.

The soul of these pieces, however, lies in the frames; the canvases are mounted on century-old wood sourced from renovated ancestral houses. In a deliberate act of preservation, the artists keep the original nails in the wood.

During the National Arts Month last February, the local government of Pateros, led by Mayor Gerald German, partnered with Atelier Betismo and art director Nomer Husain, and offered free art workshops.

Uncle Bob uses these workshops to find the next generation of Pateros-based artists to join their growing collective.

The program provides all necessary materials (paint, brushes and even meals) and mentorship to participants, removing the financial barriers that often keep aspiring creators from picking up a palette.

The workshop is intentionally diverse, introducing participants to various mediums ranging from traditional acrylics and watercolors to the aromatic, earthy tones of coffee painting.

For Roberto Yumul, Atelier Betismo is a ‘home for ideas, memory and shared making.’ CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Nomer Husain works alongside Uncle Bob to ensure that every participant, regardless of their skill level, finds their voice and their niche.

Here, the workshop is less about mastering the stroke and more about the conviction that art should be an extension of its surroundings — raw, shared and profoundly human.

The support from the local government is hands-on. In a show of true commitment to the craft, Mayor German himself recently underwent the workshop, picking up the brush alongside his constituents to experience the rigors and rewards of the creative process.

This partnership has already yielded scholarships for seven regular students who show exceptional talent. These scholars receive consistent classes to hone their skills toward a professional level.

“We have scholarships for seven people who are studying on a regular basis,” Uncle Bob said. “One of our artists who is already on her second lesson, she did it with her father. Her father was so supportive. The kid was so enthusiastic. And I told myself, this is it. This is it. This is how you grow art in Pateros.”

Uncle Bob’s vision for the town relies on the intersection of youthful energy and parental support. He recalled a recent session where a young girl named Olivia “dragged” her father into the shop, sparking a chain reaction of community interest.

“Let’s make Pateros into an art capital. And you start this by having a girl named Olivia dragging her father to our shop and asking for time to do work like this,” Uncle Bob explained.

For the dreamers in Pateros who have long kept their creativity tucked away, Uncle Bob has provided the home it needs to grow. It is a space that reminds us that art has no age limit; it only requires the spark of a curious child or the courage of an adult ready to start anew. It is never too late to join the revolution.

Future artists residing in Pateros who are interested in joining future workshops are encouraged to send a message to the Municipality of Pateros Facebook page to register. Slots remain limited as the collective continues its mission to turn local voices into visible masterpieces. PIA

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The living heritage and artistry in Pateros

While Pateros is famously recognized as the “Balut Capital of the Philippines,” the soul of this small town lies in a profound sense of artistry that extends far beyond its culinary heritage.

Nestled in the heart of Metro Manila, Pateros represents a unique intersection of traditional craftsmanship and cultural resilience, where the term “artistry” is defined not just by aesthetics, but by the mastery of intricate, time-honored processes.

The most vivid example of this artistry is found in the nearly lost craft of “alfombrilla” — the traditional footwear once synonymous with the town. Unlike mass-produced shoes, alfombrilla slippers are a testament to meticulous hand-embroidery. Artisans spend hours working on plush velvet, creating floral patterns and geometric designs with a precision that mirrors the town’s patient temperament. This craft is a dialogue between the past and the present, requiring a steady hand and an eye for detail that has been passed down through generations.

Even the town’s famous “balut” industry carries its own form of artistry. The “magmamano” (duck egg handlers) possess a sensory expertise that borders on the intuitive. Their ability to determine the exact stage of an embryo’s development simply by light and touch is a specialized skill — a biological art form perfected over centuries. This mastery ensures that the product is not just food, but a curated cultural experience.

Furthermore, the artistry of Pateros is reflected in its festive traditions, such as the Pandan Festival, which showcases the creative weaving of indigenous materials. Whether through the stitching of a slipper or the incubation of an egg, the people of Pateros transform everyday labor into a heritage of excellence. In a rapidly modernizing region, the town remains a bastion of artisanal pride, proving that true artistry is found in the dedication to one’s craft and the preservation of a community’s identity.