In 1980, Filipino award-winning artist George Guerrero Facelo enlisted in the US Navy instead of fulfilling a painting scholarship in France, which he was awarded from a national art competition sponsored by the Rotary Club of Makati-North in the Philippines. Coming to America was a challenge and a change of career for the young artist. He dedicated his time and effort to fulfilling his military duties and had almost no time for creating art. Due to his determination and drive, he made time to improve and polish his art style, “Abstract Expressionism” in acrylic.

During his time at Boot Camp, he was easily spotted by his Company Commander with his talents and was assigned a daily task to print the Plan of the Day on the chalkboard for every co-recruit to read. He did sign paintings on some of the Regiment’s offices, and since he was a flag bearer, he designed, painted, and carried the company’s “Hell Flag.” While assigned onboard a US Navy ship, his paintings were chosen to be permanently exhibited in the Navy Combat Art Museum in Washington, DC.  In 1983, he won First Prize and “Best of Show” at the USN Southern Pacific Regional Arts and Crafts Fair in San Diego.

In the mid-1990s, he became more involved in his art, winning First Prize in the Poway Artist’s Guild Annual Art Competition. He also won the Third Prize and “Best of Show” in the St. Mark’s Methodist Church Annual Religious Art competitions. He earned special recognition in various local art competitions and participated in art exhibitions throughout San Diego.

George has exhibited his paintings since he was studying Fine Arts at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. He was a member of Art-A-Fair in Laguna Beach and the Coronado Art Association in San Diego.

After retiring from federal service in 2020, George continues to concentrate more on establishing his art career and creating more art. He is currently spending more of his creative time at his studio in San Diego, California.