HE COULD not ask for anything more after his works were recognized in his hometown and appreciated by artists abroad.

But 67-year-old Leo Villaflor, a visual artist who is popularly known as Leyte?s tuba (coconut wine) artist, is not one to simply bask in his accomplishments. There is always room to keep the fire burning for the art form he loves, he says.

In June, Villaflor was among those who received the Sangyaw 2009 Awards in recognition of their achievements that ?brought fame, honor and prestige to Tacloban and to our region.? The event was sponsored by the city government.

Villaflor cherishes that recognition, especially since it came from his people.

In September, the artist was asked to mount a solo exhibit at the gallery of the prestigious Rotorua Arts Village Experience (Rave), one of the more than 35 art studios and galleries in Rotorua, New Zealand, and a roving exhibit in other cities of the country in June next year.

It will be his first art exhibit abroad.

Many of Villaflor?s art works have found their way abroad, including his tuba paintings that were bought by foreigners visiting Tacloban.

The visit

In late July, Villaflor was invited to deliver a lecture about his art works before fine arts students, faculty members and guests at the Waiariki Institute of Technology in Rotorua. He was then visiting his two daughters?one works as nurse at the Rotorua Hospital and the other is a student taking up hotel management and tourism in a university.

Villaflor said he noticed several similarities between the arts of the Maori natives and some Filipino arts, particularly on ancient tattoo designs. But what caught his attention was the high regard that people of Rotorua gave to art and culture.

?There are many galleries, museums and book stores there,? he said.

In mid-September, Villaflor met the Philippine ambassador to New Zealand, Dr. Bienvenido Tejano, who hails from Mapanas town in Northern Samar.

Tejano, who had learned of Villaflor?s speaking engagement at Waiariki and has seen some of his works, suggested that the artist also hold a roving exhibit in New Zealand?s capital, Wellington, and other cities. ?The ambassador told me that I will also be a Philippine ambassador of goodwill while in New Zealand,? Villaflor said.

With the help of some Filipinos in Rotorua, Villaflor?s exhibit schedule was finalized. The show will be one of the highlights of the Philippine Independence Day celebration next year in New Zealand.

?The organizers, especially the management of Rave, will shoulder my round trip ticket, the framing of the painting and other expenses,? he said.

The artist

Villaflor was born on Aug. 22, 1942, in Capoocan town in Leyte. As a boy, he showed an artistic inclination but it was not until the late 1970s when he decided to become a full-time visual artist.

In 1998, he represented Leyte at the ?100 Years 100 Artists: An Expression of the Filipino Soul? at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Manila, which was one of the highlights of the Philippines? centennial celebration.

Villaflor has been using indigenous materials in his art works. Aside from ?tuba,? he experimented with soot and squid ink for black, dried tobacco leaves mixed with water for light brown and indigenous natural dyes.

He has also used tree barks, shells of cooked crabs, bamboo, seashells and even feathers in his mixed visual arts.

Villaflor said that unlike the Indians, Indonesians, Thais, Malaysians and the Maoris who were able to preserve their native art works and painting style, the Filipinos have none to speak of.

?One of the ways by which we can establish our own Filipino identity is through the use of indigenous materials,? he said.

Villaflor is also into oil and other visual arts. Many of his works have found their way into the homes of prominent people in Leyte, corporate offices in Manila, and art galleries and private houses abroad.