A maverick bachelor of the Philippine high society, Lee Aguinaldo lived a fulfilling life as an artist. When he passed away in 2007, he left his longtime partner, former fashion model Melba Arribas with many wonderful memories. Today, she shares to the world her well-kept treasure trove of his Modern masterpieces.
When they first met in 1977, Melba Arribas had no clue that Lee Aguinaldo was a prolific visual artist with contemporaries like Cesar Legaspi, Hernando R Ocampo, and Vicente Manansala. Who could blame her? His rockstar-bad boy looks preceded his exceptional talent evident only when one sees his masterpieces exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum or Philippine Art Gallery.
Born in New York in 1933, Leopoldo "Lee" Aguinaldo was the son of prolific business magnate Daniel Aguinaldo, who was best known today as "kingmaker" of former President Ramon Magsaysay. He came from a powerful family related to Emilio Aguinaldo, the first President of the Philippines, which could have catapulted him as a political or entrepreneurial figure in the country. After the Second World War, his father forced him to be in a military school in Indiana. But as fate would have it, he discovered his talent as an artist and decided to become one. When he came home to the Philippines to study in college, his domineering father forced him again to earn a commerce degree from one of the top universities in the country. Being at the height of his youth, his rebellious side became more prominent. After finishing college, Lee would be known as a notorious party-goer and pursuant of life's luxuries.
Things changed dramatically when Aguinaldo finally decided to turn his back on the family's business. And it was for art's sake.
After Arribas' modelling stint in the USA, she came back to the Philippines in 1980 and suddenly crossed paths with Aguinaldo at a party at the Hobbit House. "The two eventually developed an intimate connection, fell in love, and were never separated since then," said the catalogue for Leon Gallery's Spectacular Mid-Year Auction, happening this 5 June.
His passing in 2007 left her with such great sorrow. For over a decade, she hanged onto the masterpieces left by her partner at their house in Quezon City. Never did she think that the day would finally come for her to let go of the pieces after some enlightenment from their closest friends.
"With much trust, confidence, and admiration", Arribas bestowed to Leon Gallery the very private and most cherished works by the self-taught Modernist master who contributed to the Philippine art scene for more than half a century.