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.
Commented: September 18, 2010 at 9:54 am
Condolences to the Arellano family.I learned a lot from Him,He is a Good teacher and friend from us.We will miss you but what we learned from you is our treasured.God bless your Soul and your family.
Commented: August 3, 2010 at 7:56 am
Greetings from Baguio! The daughter of my friend Tony Flores of Santiago City sent a message to me today to ask which portrait photographers will I recommend to her to interview for her thesis in UST. When I Googled familiar names, this site came out. This is very sad to know. It was an honor having had the chance to mount a photo exhibit with him and Francis Rivera at De La Salle University Taft in the late ’90s. To the family of Toch, please accept our deepest condolences.
Commented: December 13, 2009 at 11:14 am
taos puso po akong nakikiramay sa pamilya arellano at buong batch 22 fppf..
Commented: December 1, 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.
Commented: September 23, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Isang napakalaking inspirasyon para sa ating lahat… di namin kayo makakalimutan! Condolences to the Arellano Family.
Commented: August 12, 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…
Commented: August 10, 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.
Commented: July 21, 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..
Commented: July 9, 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…
Commented: June 26, 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…
Commented: June 20, 2009 at 8:30 pm
My Condolences To The Family Of Sir Toch.. Thank You Sir!! Salamat Sa Inspirations.. Godbless
Commented: June 19, 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.
Commented: June 15, 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!!!
Commented: June 13, 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..
Commented: June 2, 2009 at 4:54 am
My sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Sir Toch. You will always be remembered.
Commented: June 1, 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
Commented: May 31, 2009 at 11:13 am
my deepest condolences to his family. Sir Toch thank you for sharing your knowledge…..
Commented: May 29, 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.
Commented: May 28, 2009 at 11:39 am
Words seem inadequate to express the sadness I feel.
My deepest Condolences to his family.
Commented: May 28, 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.
Commented: May 28, 2009 at 8:01 am
nakikiramay po ang buong batch9 2009 basic classs sa pagpanaw ni “sir toch”
Commented: May 26, 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
Commented: May 26, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Deepest Condolences to the Family of Sir Toch byee.of ,,, from: strong ads photography & Bruce Lee Strong TEAM…
Commented: May 24, 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…
Commented: May 23, 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.
Commented: May 21, 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.
Commented: May 21, 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)