Antonio Pascual Liwag

Antonio was born on July 5th, 1934 in Caloocan, Philippines to Maximo Liwag and Alejandra Pascual.

After achieving a bachelor of fine arts from the University of the Philippines, Antonio became a full-time artist creating incredible landscape paintings, beautiful portraiture, caricatures and sculptures.

While working overseas for Operation Brotherhood, a Philippine organization providing relief for displaced Vietnamese refugees, he met his future wife Virginia, stationed as a nurse, with whom he would later emigrate to Canada in the late 1960s and shortly afterwards to Cincinnati, Ohio.

His ability to capture on canvas the unique essence of complete strangers made him a feature at state fairs across the country with enthusiastic crowds gathering to watch him create live portraits and caricatures. An artist of many mediums, he even began designing, carving and selling custom wooden rocking horses.

In the early 1980s, Antonio’s talent for cooking lead to opening “Filipina’s” restaurant counter at the then newly restored Union Terminal in Cincinnati. Named in honor of Virginia, Filipina’s was one of two restaurants they owned around this time.

Antonio’s proudest achievement was his “Oyster” — a 2-masted wooden sailboat inspired by a Chinese Junk ship. From sewing the sails on a foot-powered, vintage Singer sewing machine, to hand-making his own block and tackle, he designed and built the entire ship with his bare hands.

Even in his old age, Antonio continued to create. Forever the inventor, he could be found making intricate geodesic dome models from household items or even fashioning his own custom false teeth!

He is survived by his son, Homer, who is largely influenced by his father’s art and creativity.

Funeral will be held Saturday June 22 at Palm Eastern Mortuary & Cemetery, 7600 S Eastern Ave Las Vegas, NV 89123. Visitation starts at 12pm with services at 2pm and reception from 3-5pm. Placement will be held at 3pm June 27.