Obituary for Leonides Silverio Valdez
Leonides "Ding" Silverio Valdez was born on August 8, 1929 to Gregorio Cosme Valdez and Florentina Silverio Valdez in Manila, Philippines. Ding was an accomplished sculptor. He began his studies at the University of the Philippines, College of Fine Arts, majoring in sculpturing. In 1957, his professor, Guillermo Tolentino, advised him to further his studies and techniques on loose wax bronze casting. Guillermo Tolentino took Ding as his understudy to Piestrasanta, Italy for four years to personally observe and learn the various techniques in bronze casting. It was in Italy that the two casted the bronze statue of Dr. Jose Rizal that is now in Pasig City, Philippines. He created several notable statues, including a double life-size statue of Nicholas Loney, "Father of the Sugar Industry in the Philippines," and a life-size bust of Ferdinand E. Marcos that was presented to Imelda Marcos in Hawaii. Ding is also the original artist/designer and manufacturer of the FAMAS Awards statuettes.
After the burning of his house in Manila, Ding moved to Honolulu, Hawaii with his wife to join a few of his children. There, he continued to study sculpturing at the University of Hawaii. He made one of his favorite pieces in Hawaii that he named "Adam and Eve" and proudly displayed it in his house.
Although Ding suffered from numerous health issues, he was a seen as a fighter to his family and would work hard at recovering after each hospitalization. He loved being in the presence of his family and would always smile when his grandchildren were around.
Ding is survived by his wife Mila and their children Sylvia, Grace, Bobby, Philip, Enrico, and Louie. He was preceded in death by his two sons Anthony and Vincent Martin.