Ernesto R. Tagle is a renowned Filipino artist who has held local and international exhibits and founded art clubs and galleries before popularizing “positivism”. Positivism is an outlook in art and life which focus on the good spirit and extols good Filipino values like “bayanihan”, family unity and “kasipagan”. For his achievements, he has been cited by President Corazon Aquino in 1991 and has graced international magazines like Hong Kong Tatler, Singapore Tatler and Asiaweek. Inspite of this, this painter, teacher and lecturer still holds on to his humble roots as he tries to leave a positive mark on the future generation through art.
He started teaching art as a fresh UST fine arts graduate in the early 70s. Today, he teaches beyond art through his Positivism Workshop which started in 1988. Ernesto, who prefers to be called E.R., hones children to be artists with self confidence and positive values in everything they do. E.R. conveys, “Children today are exposed to too much violence, media and computers. I may not succeed in eradicating those negativities but enlightening them with positive methods and subjects could at least bring balance to whatever element they adapt.” E.R. Inspires his students about family, unity, love for country and God by giving them a mother and child theme as one of the many examples of subjects he works on.
E.R. occasionally conducts outreach programs with Don Bosco Makati. They hold art classes for street children, children with autism and once, even those stricken with leukemia. “It is emotionally fulfilling to teach these disadvantaged children. Once, my student would beg his parents to stop taking him to painful chemotherapies. Learning to paint offered emotional ease that helped him through his ordeal. It is unfortunate that I can not repeat a kind of class for cancer stricken children. I interact, befriend and get emotionally attached knowing that their lives are short. Of course, I get affected when I learn of their passing.” E.R. still offers free workshop for poor special children. It develops their confidence, gives them a different outlook and even an escape. An exhibit is held at the end of the workshop where these students can sell their artworks. Some continued in this endeavor and made their talent a means of earning a living. Annually, E.R. is consigned by the City of Makati for its local projects. The Mayor offers a free summer art workshop which E.R. heads for the children of Makati residents. Thru the participant’s barangay office, a class is scheduled twice a week near the Makati city hall.
“I have assistants who help me handle a big class.” E.R. shares. “Some of my assistants eventually became art teachers who learned just by watching and assisting my students. One of my assistants, Ivy, is a pharmacist-turned-artist. Her creative juices got stirred when she discovered the beauty of mixing colors on some chemicals she was working on. She is now one of my teachers, and still a licensed pharmacist.”
On the regular Positivism workshop, a full summer course for children and adults already covers most art techniques and mediums like sketching, caricature, charcoal, oil and chalk pastel, water and oil painting, abstract expression and mixed media. An exhibit will be held at the end of the program where participants can sell their best works. “I can guarantee..” E.R. adds, “that I can make any student produce a frame-worthy artwork on their first visit.”
More than that, what E.R. Tagle has contributed to the society is his principle –
“Loving art is a talent a child can carry beyond his childhood. Positivism is a lesson he can live by throughout his life.”
Starting August 2014, Positivism Art Gallery has a new location.
Tel no: (63) (2) 8112432 and (63) (927) 5656202
E. R. Tagle facebook page
Two Tagles – The Cardinal and The Artist
E. R. Tagle Positivism Art Workshop and Gallery 
It was great talking with Mr Tagle this morning at an accidental meeting. Would love to beiin one of his art classes.