Master Portraitist Toch Arellano, 1953-2009
Master Portraitist Toch Arellano, a beloved instructor in the FPPF workshops, died at 2:00 am today after suffering a massive stroke. He was rushed to the Medical City in Pasig last week after the initial seizure and was confined at the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) the whole time. He succumb to death at 2:00 am today. He was 55.
The FPPF faculty and staff deeply mourn the loss of their beloved instructor who shared some happy days with them.
Friends may pay their last respects to the master portraitist at the Marian Chapels along Marcos Highway in Antipolo City where his remains may be viewed.
Final interment rites will be held at the Heritage Park in Taguig, Metromanila at 11:00 am on Thursday May 21, 2009.
Friends are requested to pray for the eternal repose of Toch Arellano’s soul.
Toch Arellano's mortal remains lie in state at the Marian Chapels, Mariano Marcos Highway, Antipolo. The FPPF went there in full force, led by Chairwoman Mrs. Eduviges Y. Huang and Project Director Lito Beltran, to pay their last respects to the master portraitist. Photo shows Photographer Vic Sison viewing the remains of his fallen colleague. Photo by Chris Malinao.
Remembering Toch in one of his last portraiture lectures. Photo by Butch Bandolon, Batch 8 2009.
May 17th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
10 snap shots, 10 flashes for the inspirational life you shared with us. And for the works, arts and crafts that you will leave behind expose it at perpetual setting that the next generation of photographers have lights.
May 17th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
condolences to the family of sir toch…
he will be surely missed…
May 17th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
In behalf of the Imahe Camera Club, Our condolences to the family of Sir Toch
May 17th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
our condolences to S’ Toch and his family.
May 17th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
last month lang, naka-received ako ng text messages from sir toch for the class in portraiture since he is looking for five photographers to undergo training with him. At first na-declined yung application ko pero di ko inasahan na ititext niya ko after 1 month and invited me to join his class. But due to financial matter and sched. conflict ay di ako makakasama sa class and I texted him that I cannot join for such reason.
Sir Toch, you are an inspiration to everyone. We will surely miss you…
My condolences and prayers….
May 17th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
My sincerest condolences to the family of sir Toch!.. He was an inspiration!
May 17th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
My Condolences to the family of Mr. Toch Arellano
May 17th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Deepest condolences to the Arellano Family. Sir Toch and his teachings will forever be remembered. He is now at peace in God’s arms. We will miss you!
May 18th, 2009 at 6:46 am
Deepest Condolences to the Family of Sir Toch, every moment I spent with you Toch it was marked by friendship and deep communication…it doesn’t stop here Toch, we will still continue our conversations…always in my memories and prayers…you never left us…
May 18th, 2009 at 6:55 am
sir toch, thank you for teaching us how to shoot nice portrait pictures. you will surely be missed by many photographers.
May 18th, 2009 at 7:51 am
Condolences to the the family of Sir Toch. He was truly an inspiration. We will miss you!
May 18th, 2009 at 8:11 am
My Condolences to the family of Sir torch..
May 18th, 2009 at 8:37 am
paalam kaibigang toch!
May 18th, 2009 at 10:02 am
your teachings will forever be with us.
May 18th, 2009 at 10:52 am
My deepest condolences to the family of Sir Toch.
May 18th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us… Enjoy your new life with God’s loving arms.
Condolence to Arellano Family…
May 18th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Ang aking boss guro at higit sa lahat ang aking kaibigan ay wala na! Nagsilbing gabay sa pinili kong propesyon at nagsilbing inspirisasyon sa aking ginagawa. Siya ang mentor ko na hindi lang mentor kundi isang Ama. Sir toch di mo man nababasa ito alam ko payapa ka na, di ka na magsasabi kailan pa man ng salitang husle dahil di na uso yan kung saan ka man ngayon. Tatandaan ko ang sinabi mo sa akin lagi basta nandito pa tayo humihinga may nakaabang na pag-asa wag lang makalimut sa taas. Sir hindin hindi kita makakalitan. Ikaw ang Idol ko salamat sa lahat. In behalf of aurora you stil our instructor and mentor salamat sa lahat.
May 18th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Ang dakilang tao at ang kanyang sining ay mananatili sa puso ng lahat ng mukha ng bawat isang studyanteng kanyang kinuhanan. Bawat pitik ng kanyang kamera ay di lang imahe ng masiglang mukha ang romirehistro sa kanyang kamera kundi ang sigla ng puso ng bawat indibidwal. Wala na siya pero ang gawa niya ang magsasabi na siya ay buhay sa puso natin. Sir wag ka mag-alala may magpapatuloy ng legacy mo. Marami kami.
May 18th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Mamimis ko yung pag nagbyabyahe tayo matapos ang mahabang work at maraming husle na nagyari. Kahit lumo na ako ay pagod na ikaw sir parang walang kapaguran. masigala ka parin at kakanta pa sasabay sa awit ngradyo. Sir salamat sa pag-aalaga.
May 18th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Ako ang pinaka mapalad kasi nakasama ko ang dakilang tao sa kanyang trabaho. Di lang dakila sa iba pati sa kanyang pamila.
My sincerest condolences to the family of sir Toch! He was an inspiration not only to me but to all his student and his friend.
May 18th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
A heartfelt condolence to the family of a very memorable teacher of our photography class. His teachings will live on in us his students.
May 18th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
This is definitely sad news. I will always remember him from our class last February as the soft spoken instructor na may kulit ring tinatago. He made the portaiture lessons so much fun and easy for us to understand.
He will surely be missed.
May 18th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
wow, what a surprise. he’s one of the judges during the PWC monthly judging sa vanishing point. and the last time i saw him was during the FPPF exhibit sa MOP. nakakapang hinayang, but i am sure he had left a legacy that will always be remembered for many many years to come.
May 18th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Our condolences and sympathy to the whole family of sir toch… from FPPF Batch 4 2009.
You will always be remembered in our hearts.
May 18th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
I fondly remember how you described the feeling of making your first B+W print as “better than orgasm.” As fellow photographers, we know exactly what you mean.
Here’s to better “orgasms” wherever you are.
May 18th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
We were together in APP years back. He was one of the best portrait photographer in the country. Our Deepest condolence to the family.
from John and Harvey
May 18th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Rest in peace with the Lord…
Thank you very much for everything you have taught us.
May 18th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Thank you Sir Toch!
May 18th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
condolence to the family of sir toch.
May 19th, 2009 at 11:32 am
My deepest sympathies to the family of Sir Toch in this very difficult time. Thank you for sharing us your talent. You will continue to inspire us to strive for perfection.
May 19th, 2009 at 11:56 am
On behalf of Olongapo Camerabugs Photography Club Inc.
Our deepest sympathy to the love ones of Master Toch.
May 19th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
i know the feeling of losing a great person and someone like sir toch and i had the same feeling then when my father left us years ago… my condolences to his family…bon voyage sir toch.
May 19th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
A master will be shooting with the Master on the other side. Farewell Sir Toch…
May 19th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Sir Toch, we will miss you! Thank you for being such a good mentor. It’s a great privilege that we learned a lot from you. God bless you and your family.
May 19th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Sincerest Condolences for the family…
May 20th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Condolence to the family.
We will miss you Sir Toch
May 20th, 2009 at 9:58 am
condolences po sa family ni sir toch….
May 20th, 2009 at 10:41 am
it was a great honor learning from the Master Portraitist. Condolences to the Arellano Family
May 20th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
in behalf of d framed shots camera club (naging judge pa namin sya recently lng)..our condolences to d family of sir toch..
May 20th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Condolence to the family of Sir Toch…
Thanks Sir toch for everything you taught us.
May 20th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Thanks to the Teacher to whom I’ve learned so much even in a short time. He is a great teacher.. It’s not goodbye for all his students because what we learned from you is still here in our minds and in our hearts, and we will keep it and pass it to our next generation, and in our story there is one toch arellano who guided us to know the reality of photography. Condolence to his Family and Friends.
May 21st, 2009 at 12:23 am
To Julie, Juancho & James,
May you find peace at the passing of your father. I pray may the Lord be your source of strength and comfort at this time in your life. I never knew your dad as a Portraitist, I only saw him on the rare times i’d see him when I’d hang with you guys or go to your house. But I know none can ever truly say they’d understand your pain or loss, for it is not their father they mourn.
Thank you for allowing a small glimpse of your father, and by doing so, a deeper glimpse into your lives.
Shalom Urvacha
May 21st, 2009 at 1:05 am
My Condolences to Sir Arellano’s Family.
May 21st, 2009 at 8:14 am
Sir Toch will be fondly remembered … for all that he has taught us …. he has left us with his legacy. Condolences to the family of Sir Toch …. may he find peace with the Lord ….
May 21st, 2009 at 9:58 am
Condolences to the family of Sir Toch.
Toch Arellano is my first teacher in photography since 1991 before I join FPPF.
Miss you Sir Toch!
From me and Alexis
May 21st, 2009 at 11:40 am
My deepest condolences to Arellano family.
We are one of the lucky batch in FPPF where he shared us his talent in photography.
May 21st, 2009 at 12:58 pm
In behalf of some of our batch mates at LSGH 1971, we wish to extend our deepest condolences to the family of our dearest friend, Toch. We continue to be inspired by his good works and deep understanding about our Christian values.
May 21st, 2009 at 1:21 pm
My deepest condolences. He was one of my teachers in Basic Photography at FPPF last March 2008. It is indeed a sad day for Philippine photography. He was a great teacher and photographer. May he rest in peace.
May 21st, 2009 at 4:37 pm
The body gone, we shall keep the man..
May 21st, 2009 at 6:12 pm
one of the nicest people i’ve ever known. i can’t believe he’s gone. surely God has plans for him, but it’s not fair that he should leave so early. i will always remember you, Toch.
May 21st, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Poch, I salute to you as a former classmate and fellow photographer at heart. I still remember our photoshoot when we were still in high school at LSGH and you were already using a Hasselblad as one of your equipment while I was using a borrowed pentax SLR camera. You will be missed. Take care and continue taking pictures up above.
Gepi (LSGH71)
May 21st, 2009 at 9:58 pm
My Deepest Condolences To The Family Of Sir Toch. I Really Learned A Lot From Him. He Was One Of The People Who Chose My Still Life Which Eventually Won 2nd Place. You Will Surely Be Missed!
He’s One Of The People Who Really Made Me Stick To Work Better On My Craft.
Will Miss The “Harsh” But Motivating Comments Your Give Your Students.
Take Care Sir! I Know You’re In Good Hands.
You’re Now Heaven’s Photographer.
May 23rd, 2009 at 11:50 am
On behalf of the Ayala Alabang Camera Club we send our condolences to “Toch’s” family and may he rest in peace.
May 24th, 2009 at 2:57 am
I would like to express my sincere condolences on the recent passing of our mentor Sir Toch. Although I didn’t know Sir Toch that well, on the few meetings in our FPPF Batch 11 2008 or so times that we met him during our lecture in FPPF Class , I came to realize his great kindness and compassion towards his friends, family and Photography. And I do know that he was very highly respected throughout this field.
We were truly fortunate to have a mentor like you Sir Toch…
May 26th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Deepest Condolences to the Family of Sir Toch byee.of ,,, from: strong ads photography & Bruce Lee Strong TEAM…
May 26th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
I will always remember the man who took my grad pic way back in 1987.
An inspiration way back then. No one can ever replace Toch Arellano
May 28th, 2009 at 8:01 am
nakikiramay po ang buong batch9 2009 basic classs sa pagpanaw ni “sir toch”
May 28th, 2009 at 11:30 am
My heartfelt sympathy on the passing of Sir Toch. It was nice to have met him. I was deeply saddened to hear of his loss. My thoughts are with him and his family.
May 28th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Words seem inadequate to express the sadness I feel.
My deepest Condolences to his family.
May 29th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Mr. Toch is obviously loved by many. It is unfortunate that I will no longer be mentored by him. Nonetheless, I am sure that those left behind in FPPF shares the same passion as Mr. Toch have in sharing his knowledge in photography. My sincerest condolences to Mr. Toch’s families and friends.
May 31st, 2009 at 11:13 am
my deepest condolences to his family. Sir Toch thank you for sharing your knowledge…..
June 1st, 2009 at 4:39 pm
One of my best teacher in portrait photography. nalaman ko na you passed away last monday may 25 nung makita ko si Servil Tan after 2 days my mom passed away din. Even though i am no longer active attending seminar in manila i can’t forget the lessons I’ve learn from you sir Toch Iba yung style mu talaga. May your soul rest in peace
June 2nd, 2009 at 4:54 am
My sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Sir Toch. You will always be remembered.
June 13th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
You will always be remembered Sir Toch. Our deepest condolences to his Family and friends. It was an honor being part of your class..
June 15th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
My Deepest condolences to the Arellano Family. i am fppf batch 16 09 student,It is unfortunate that I will no longer be mentored by him. but thanks 2 his passion in photography the knowledge he left behind will be remembered forever.
cheers, to the Master Portraitist!!!
June 19th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Toch Arellano is my mentor in portraiture in 2004 at DPI Photography Center. His name was a byword then among top University graduates when it comes to senior portraits. We crossed our path again at 2007 Photo Summit at Club Filipino. As an act of gratitude, since I was already doing well in photography, treated him to a lunch at Virra Mall. The last time we saw each other was this year at Asian Institute of Management when I attended PhotoWorld Asia 2009.
To the loved ones left behind by Toch, my sincerest condolences. “Life is for one generation; a good name is forever.” Rest assured of my prayers for the eternal repose of his soul.
June 20th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
My Condolences To The Family Of Sir Toch.. Thank You Sir!! Salamat Sa Inspirations.. Godbless
June 26th, 2009 at 3:34 am
My deepest Condolenses to tne family of Sir Toch Arellano… Sayang di ka na namin inabutan sa FPPF. I’m from Batch16′09 student of FPPF Basic Photography Workshop…
July 9th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
When I first learned that sir Toch passed away I was really surprised… kasi he really looked so healthy the last time I saw him… Niloloko pa nga siya na may-asim pa daw kasi nakapasok pa sa top ten yung entry kong nude photo during the last day of our class (batch 4)…
Sayang… may plano pa man din sana akong mag-apply sa training program nya…
Still, I feel blessed for having the chance to meet one of the best Portrait Photographer in the country…
I will never forget you sir Toch…
Isa kang inspirasyon sa aming mga naging estudyante mo.
My condolences na rin po sa family nyo…
July 21st, 2009 at 8:53 am
My Deepest condolences to the Arellano Family. Sir maraming salamat sa’yo hindi kita makakalimutan… lahat na studio ikaw ang ginagaya nila quality mo. dahil sa inyo kahit saan ako mag apply ng studio tanggap ako dahil galing ako sa inyo..
August 10th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
I’m from Basic Photography 2009 Batch 1. I just recently learned this sad news. Anyways, eventhough its late already, I would like to extend my deepest condolenses to his family. May you truly rest in peace Sir Toch.
August 12th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
I just heard about this very sad news. Sir Toch is a great teacher and photographer. He’ll always be remembered…
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Isang napakalaking inspirasyon para sa ating lahat… di namin kayo makakalimutan! Condolences to the Arellano Family.
December 1st, 2009 at 1:42 am
Not until today the sad news came to me, I will always remember in my heart, Toch my friend in La Salle.
December 13th, 2009 at 11:14 am
taos puso po akong nakikiramay sa pamilya arellano at buong batch 22 fppf..