Manuel Rodriguez Sr. (1916–2017), celebrated as the Father of Philippine Modern Printmaking, was born in Cebu and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of the Philippines in 1939. Initially trained as a painter, he soon turned his focus to printmaking, a medium that would define his legacy.

He held his first solo exhibition at the Philippine Art Gallery in 1952, marking the beginning of a career that would span decades. In 1962–63, Rodriguez received a prestigious Rockefeller grant, which allowed him to study printmaking in the United States and Europe. His exposure to international techniques and practices enriched his own work and inspired him to elevate printmaking in the Philippines.

Rodriguez’s career included participation in major international events, such as the São Paulo Biennial in 1964, and he received the Heritage Award in 1967. Beyond his personal achievements, he was a passionate teacher who zealously propagated knowledge and appreciation of printmaking as a medium equal to painting and sculpture. His advocacy led to the founding of the Philippine Association of Printmakers in 1969, which nurtured a new generation of outstanding printmakers throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

His contributions were recognized with national honors, including the Pamana ng Pilipino Award in 2000 and the Presidential Award of Merit in 2007, both from the Republic of the Philippines. These awards affirmed his role as the country’s foremost pioneer in printmaking.

Rodriguez’s legacy endures not only in his own works but also in the countless artists he mentored and inspired. By championing printmaking as a fine art, he secured its place alongside painting and sculpture in the canon of Philippine modern art.