Mauro Malang Santos (1928–2017) was a Filipino painter, illustrator, and cartoonist, celebrated for his vibrant neo‑realist style and joyful depictions of everyday life.
He studied Fine Arts briefly at the University of the Philippines in 1946, and later at the Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles in 1972. Malang began his career as an artist, illustrator, and cartoonist for the Manila Chronicle, where his wit and draftsmanship first gained public attention.
Working in a neo‑realist style, Malang depicted trees, flowers, churches, carabaos, people, villages, and everyday scenes in compositions that radiated warmth and optimism. His first solo exhibition was held at the Philippine Art Gallery (PAG), marking his entry into the modernist movement.
Malang received numerous awards throughout his career, including:
Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award in 1963
Patnubay ng Kalinangan at Sining from the City of Manila in 1981
Gawad CCP para sa Sining in 1995
In 1997, he was honored with a retrospective exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, celebrating his decades of contribution to Philippine art.
Malang’s legacy lies in his ability to transform ordinary Filipino scenes into delightful, colorful compositions that bespeak a happy outlook on life. His works continue to resonate as icons of Philippine modernism, both locally and internationally, including exhibitions at the Philippine Center New York.
