Biography of  Daryl Y. Cuaresma

Daryl Cuaresma was born on June 7, 1967 in Larena, Siquijor. His family soon moved to Sacramento, California where he grew up. He is married to Maribel Sumalpong and they have two sons, Eric 23 years old and Jared 14 years old.
Although Daryl had not done any wood carving before, his love for this art form, instilled in him as a young boy would have to wait decades to blossom. He studied art and architecture during his youth but he never really completed either one. Instead, he set aside his affinity for art to pursue a more mainstream occupation. At the age of 43, Daryl embarked on his second career: Western American art, “When God closes a door, somewhere He opens another”, he says of his decision to begin carving. He believes that his Filipino heritage, unique ability and talent are gifts bestowed upon him from God, and must be shared with others. He always had a knack for working with wooden materials and extreme attention to detail where he feels he is creating his strongest and most meaningful works.
With his wife’s support, he started to develop and experiment his own distinctive and unconventional style of etching & burning to clearly depict his personal art expression. “I wouldn’t be where I am without her encouragement, love, mercy, sacrifice and believing in me” he admits. The couple’s love for art and western antiques grew into a passion that in 2015, their journey took a positive turn when they opened to the public, KANHERON, an American Old West museum in Siquijor. This dramatic architecture is a big open space featuring a soaring high-beamed cathedral ceiling facility using indigenous materials artistically designed to Daryl’s specification and satisfaction. He takes pride of this electric building like a masterpiece.
Daryl has no fear of making errors when working with wood which could easily break. He is a free thinking artist who breaks away from the traditional art forms. Each piece is unique, evoking upon the viewer a 3D effect and a life of its own. He enjoys working while listening to 80’s music or with a video playing an old western movie in the background.
Daryl is motivated with passion and grace as he carves the beauty of God’s vast, lush, and stark landscape of the West, and of animals. He is inspired by the picturesque surroundings and the ranching life of Western California.
When speaking of the long and winding path he has taken, Daryl says “God has been looking out for me”. He encourages young Filipino artists to never give up on their art, to keep working, to make your opportunities happen and to grow as a person.
Daryl’s works hang in the permanent collection of Kanheron Ranch Old West Museum in Siquijor and a few in private collections in Northern California and the Philippines. He and his wife Maribel, make their home both in Elk Grove California and Siquijor, Philippines. “Like the first frontier folks, we are always looking toward the horizon for the next adventure and we enjoy wild-at-heart impromptu journeys together”.


Group members:
Kyzelle Ambalong
Teresa P. Erolon
Ma. Theresa S. Lubguban
Nenia Sheila Magsalay
Ramel Tinae