Ben-Hur Gorospe Villanueva (pronounced as ben hur) (October 28, 1938 – January 25, 2020) [1] was a Filipino sculptor, painter, educator, lecturer, and art entrepreneur based in Baguio.
[2] Villanueva spent 30 years teaching arts at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City, Philippines.
In interviews he said this experience convicted him of the importance of the school motto, "Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam" (For the greater Glory of God and A Man for Others).
"Every individual has his/her artistic inclinations and propensity be it visual, music, dance, literary, or fashion and so he/she has the right to enhance and utilize it creatively," he is quoted as saying.
[4] He put up an arts workshop, Arko Ni Apo (Ilocano: Ark of the Lord), and he started spearheading various art-related activities catering to people ranging from professionals, educators, students, young artists, television/film writers and directors, street children, to various religious groups.