Pinoy painter gives Iron Man his masterpiece

LOS ANGELES - Filipino painter Jun Aquino, who has immortalized the world?s first eight-division boxing champ Manny Pacquiao in his paintings, gave the Iron Man one of his masterpieces.

Aquino, who started painting Pacquiao in the 90s, became friends with Robert Downey Jr.?s 20-year-old son Indio Downey when Indio watched the fight of former world super flyweight champion Marvin Sonsona against Jonathan Arellano in California last year.

Aquino gave Indio one of his still-unveiled latest paintings: the Pac-Man Immortalized on Canvas Ahead of Bradley Fight III, which the younger Downey brought to his father?s gym. RDJ, a fan of the Filipino boxing icon, was surprised.

?He asked Indio, ?How much do I owe?? Indio told him that Pacquiao?s official painter gave it for free with Pacquiao?s signature,? says Aquino excitedly.

Aquino does not sell Manny Pacquiao paintings especially if it is signed. He has donated all his paintings to Pacquiao who displayed them in his Las Vegas and Los Angeles homes. Aquino and Pacquiao have an agreement to sell only for charity auctions or fund raising. The price range for a small painting in a 2014 charity event in Beverly Hills was $5,000 to $10,000; the big ones from $20,000 to $50,000.

?Robert Downey is a philanthropist, he is good man. He is like Manny,? says Aquino, who has been invited by the Iron Man to dinner in the artist?s convenient time.