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Elmer Borlongan (born January 7, 1967), also known as "Emong", is a Filipino contemporary artist and is a CCP Thirteen Artist Awardee in 1994. Born in Manila,Philippines, he earned a degree in painting from the University of the Philippines – College of Fine Arts in 1987. He is well known for his figurative expressionism paintings that reflect the Philippines’ urban lifestyle.

Early life and education
Elmer Borlongan was born in Manila, Philippines on January 7, 1967. In Bolongan’s initial years as an artist he had no primary concept regarding the visual arts. However, Borlongan inclement in the arts was seen through his enjoyment copying pictures that appealed his interest. Borlongan’s early art education in the arts began through his aunt. Borlongan was enrolled at the age of 11 in a painting workshop of Fernando Sena, whom is the Father of Philippine Art Workshops. Fernando Sena became a major influence in Borlongan’s art approach, in which his paintings would be reliant on realistic subjects. Through Fernando Sena’s workshops at the Childrens’s Museum and Library Inc. (CMLI) in 1978, Borlongan was familiarized in the art world.

In 1983, Borlongan finished highschool at the Rizal Technological College, Mandaluyong, Philippines. Initially after high school Borlongan was originally planning to take-up a course in Architecture in the University of Santo Tomas. However, his prior art mentor Fernando Sena urged him to take-up Fine Arts instead. Borlongan then continued his studies in the University of the Philippines, College of Fine Arts. In college, Borlongan was influenced by the conceptual approach in art differ from his past approach focused on techniques. Borlongan received his bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts in 1987.

In 1984, Borlongan became a delegate in the ASEAN Youth Painting Workshop and Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur. In his involvement as a Filipino delegate in the ASEAN Borlonan was exposed to the development of the arts in Southeast Asia.

Career
After college Borlongan helped his former classmate Manny Garibay paint a mural for Lean Alejandro’s funeral procession. This experience in Borlongan’s life became an eye opener for him regarding the tribulations of the Philippines. Together with his former classmate Mark Justiani, Borlongan joined the artist art collective Artista ng Bayan (ABAY). Later on, Borlongan joined Salingpusa.

In 1988, Borlongan won second place in the Metrobank Annual National Painting Competition category in painting. This achievement had given him good exposure that eventually enabled him to enter mainstream galleries. Metrobank, same with their other contestant winners, supported Borlongan not only with exporsure and prize money but also grants for projects or solo exhibits.

In 1996, Borlongan became an artist-in-resident in ARCUS Ibaraki, Japan. Borlongans art works were largely exhibited in various collections of the Fukouka Asian Art Museum and Singapore Art Museum. He also had collections locally in BenCab Museum and Pinto Art Gallery. Borlongan exhibited in the international and local art scene and in the long run his brilliance in the art scene has been honored countless of time.

Borlongan’s art style continued to progress throughout the years and with the influence of other artist and artworks he was able to develop his own distinct art style. Borlongan’s art style was largely figurative which follows a more artistic freedom. The common essence seen in Borlongan’s symbolic paintings is the daily urban life in the Philippines. Besides Borlongan’s painting career, he also had a passion for photography. Though little is known of his art photography, Borlongan showcased his fondness in photography with his showcase of cameras and in his personal library of pictures.

Personal life and Casa San Miguel
The busy streets of manila became an inspiration for his paintings regarding the Philippines’ urban life. In 2003, they moved in Zambales and the soothing nature in Zambales made a dramatic change in his life. In Casa San Miguel, the relaxing sounds of nature and the environment of farm life bounded Borlongan. Borlongan married a fellow artist Plet Bolipata, residing in San Antonio, Zamboanga.

Achievements
Competition, Manila'' Kuala Lumpur'' Competition, Manila''
 * ''1988 – 2nd Prize, Oil Painting Category, Metrobank National Painting
 * ''1984 – Delegated at the ASEAN Youth Painting Workshop and Exhibition,
 * ''1992 – 2nd Prize, Oil Painting Category, Metrobank National Painting
 * 1994 – Thirteen Artists Award, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Manila
 * 1997 – Artist of the Month, GSIS Museum of Art, Manila
 * 2004 – Award for Continuing Excellence and Service, Metrobank Foundation

Exhibits
Hiraya Gallery, Manila''
 * 1993 – Aki, Boston Gallery, Quezon City
 * 1994 – God Bless Our Trip, West Gallery, Mandaluyong City
 * ''1995 – Barangay, Anita Gallery CASA San Miguel Zambales Tagapagmana,
 * 2000 – Lifeline, Drawing Room, Makati City
 * 2001 – A Decade of Drawing, Anita Gallery CASA San Miguel, Zambales
 * 2002 – Teritoryo, Boston Gallery, Cubao, Quezon City
 * 2003 – Deboto, West Gallery, Mandaluyong City
 * 2005 – Joyride, Boston Gallery, Cubao, Quezon City
 * 2006 – Rocking Horse, 1/of Gallery, Taguig City
 * 1999 – Mauway, Boston Gallery, Cubao, Quezon City
 * 2009 – "Ditoy Ili Mi (My Town)", Sitio Remedios, Currimao, Ilocos Norte
 * 2009 – "Ordinary People", Orange Gallery, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
 * 2009 – Figuring the Times, Philippine Paintings 1996-2009, A selection from the Paulino Que Collection – Finale Art File, Makati City
 * 2011– Monumental – Manila Contemporary, Makati City