about the artist

I graduated from La Salle College-Bacolod (now University of St. La Salle) in the Philippines in 1984, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. As a college student, I have been very much interested to know more about God and my Catholic faith. Thus, most of my friends were nuns and seminarians, and I frequented convents, seminaries, and retreat centers.

In 1985, I decided to become a nun and joined the Religious Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (ICM). After six years, I realized I was not called to that state of life, and so I left Taiwan (my second mission assignment) for home in the Philippines. Upon my return to the "lay" life, i worked as a teacher and was active in Campus Ministry, conducting spiritual retreats for some years.

Many of my growing up years were spent in church and school choirs.

The musical instruments I play are piano and guitar. My twin sister was the pianist and the musical director of our school plays and shows. I was the singer. Years back, I have composed a number of religious songs (unpublished but sung to this day in convents and monasteries).

In my late 30's, I experienced a great hunger for silence and prayer. I was restless and I wanted to seek the path I am meant to take for the rest of my life.  So I left my teaching job and devoted myself to a whole year of exploring my interest in drawing and painting. The motivation was to engage in an artful activity with the use of my hands where I can have the quiet and creative environment conducive to nurture my spirit seeking for direction.

Two full years of drawing and painting everyday gave me a deep sense of self and happiness. So, yes, I have found my path. I am to live my life as a full-time artist! Not long after, I met the one who was meant to be my companion in life. Marriage followed, and a year after, my twin boys were born.

For a while, my brushes and paints stayed kept in boxes. When my boys reached the age of three, I began to slowly take out my materials and started making drawings and small paintings in-between chores. My Home Studio has evolved from just the kitchen table to a corner in the living room. Now, I have a nice and big open space in my home where I work six days in a week.

I received the chance to share my art beyond my family and friends when I was invited to do a solo art exhibit during the first anniversary of Lifestyles Bacolod last December 2008. The theme, A Celebration of Mary and Motherhood, captured the message my paintings wish to convey.

It was a wonderful experience and a very encouraging one.

It propelled me to devote the first half of this year (2009) to go deeper into myself to be able to offer an even more beautiful, relevant and unique style and message through my paintings. The effort bore fruits. I gained more focus, clarity, direction and inspiration. This website is one of the fruits.