Filamore Palomo Alcon and his canvas called Guam

Filamore Paolomo Alcon

By CJ Urquico

Filamore Palomo Alcon knew the power of beginnings. Born on Jan. 13, 1952, Fil grew up in Piti.  

He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1970 and left the service nine years later and joined the University of Guam’s Fine Arts program.  Along with fellow artists, he cut the ribbon to open the Guam Gallery of Art in December 1994, carving out a doorway for local artists looking to be seen.

He passed away on July 23.

I met Falcon--as he sometimes referred to himself-- in 1995 at the newly opened Guam Gallery of Art. I was new to the island, 18 years old and hungry to share my art. Fil introduced me to the art community, which welcomed me wholeheartedly. Almost immediately, he offered his walls for me to do an exhibit. He did not let up and pushed me so the following year, on April 12, 1996, we opened my one-man-show, titled “The Mind’s Eye.”

Fil had high standards when it came to art. He could be bossy, but his sometimes abrasive temperament was balanced by his gregariousness, big smile, and signature charm. He shared with me his Ilocano heritage. He told my mother that he, too, went by the name Amor, explaining, of course, that it means love. In every conversation, Fil always had the last word.

“The first time I met Fil, I was struck by that Dali-like mustache. His art reflected his deep love for the island, and his personality was just as vibrant. He had a gift for compressing big ideas into bold expressions—a true challenge and a rare talent,"  said artist, Pax Pineda who now resides in California.

"Born of two rich cultures, half Filipino and half CHamoru, he carried the best qualities of both. Slicked-back ponytail, island-themed shirts, paired with short, and that unforgettable mustache; Fil was one of a kind. An honor to have known him,” Pineda said.

“The forever art teacher Filamore was a strong supporter of artists coming together for group art exhibitions. He taught art at several elementary and high schools. It has been said that his art classes were more advanced than the grade level of his students. I experienced teaching alongside Filamore at St. Anthony School and numerous art workshops,” Monica Baza, artist and fellow art teacher.

Monica noted Filamore’s talent for constructive art critiques to bring the artist up to the next level. “Many of his students went on to become professional artists as adults. The Guam Gallery of Art became his life’s achievement and a proud accomplishment for more than 30 years of existence at the Chamorro Village. As Filamore’s prima and artist friend, I will miss him, the camaraderie and his long passionate art conversations,” Monica said.

“Filamore’s real lifeline was the gallery. He was hellbent on passing it on for it to continue. He ended up having to close and that was very hard for him. He had to be talked into letting it go,” she added.

“Fil is a tremendous loss to the island and the artist community. He created space—not just for art to hang, but for artists to grow. His vision was both rooted and expansive: Guam was his subject, but spirit was his medium. Rest well, Fil,” said Bong Redila, artist and author now residing in Florida.

“He was an icon in the art community, facilitating many shows in different venues, including the hotels,” said Viktoria B. Sayrs, artist.  Sayrs exhibited in the gallery twice.

 “He brings together a lot of the local artists. Fil did a lot for the Guam art scene,” Sayrs added. 

Here’s Fil. In his own words, in a Facebook post from Nov. 8, 2024.  He wrote: “One year before my discharge, I was assigned to the Graphic Arts Department at Andersen Air Force Base (1978–1979). After being honorably discharged, I decided to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Fine Arts, from 1980 to 1985. I am blessed—my Lord God has been good to me. I became one of His creative disciples, and I still am to this day.”