100-year-old 'Father of Contemporary Printmaking' is oldest overseas absentee voter

Manuel Antonio Rodriguez Sr., the 100-year-old "Father of Philippine contemporary printmaking," is the oldest Filipino so far to register as an overseas absentee voter for the 2013 polls. In a news release, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday said United States-based Rodriguez regisered as an overseas absentee voter on August 23 in San Francisco.

 

Rodriguez registered during the launching of his coffee table book celebrating his centennial year at the Philippine Center in San Francisco, the DFA said.

 

Rodriguez is "100 years and eight months old," the DFA added. 

 

"Mang Maning, as he is fondly called, is a pioneering artist who revived printmaking as a major art form, which led to the graphics arts movement in the Philippines. He is now based in the United States," it added.

 

The DFA reminded Filipino citizens and dual citizens 18 years old and up to register as overseas absentee voters before Oct. 31.

 

Those who wish to register should bring a copy of their latest Philippine passport for Filipino citizens.

 

Dual citizens should being their Oath of Allegiance or Identification Certificate.

 

"Registering for overseas absentee voting (OAV) will give them the capability to exercise their right to vote and help chart the political future of the Philippines," Philippine Consul General to San Francisco Marciano Paynor said. - VVP, GMA News