Like my husband says, I am a woman of leisure. A wife, a mother of three, and a grandmother of 5.

One year in, and it’s been great! I first joined Sunshine Place in 2024 with the goal of joining the dance classes as a means to stay active and have fun. From there I learned about acrylic painting, porcelain painting and decoupage, and discovered I have untapped talent in those areas too! I’m grateful to Sunshine Place for helping me learn these new things, and even more grateful to my teachers and newfound friends for being so supportive and encouraging. I look at my art now and find myself still developing new ideas, getting excited to create more and share more with the Sunshine Place community.

Ma. Angeles Gelano is a watercolorist, specializing in Chinese painting. She started with oil, evolved into watercolor, and then fell in love with acrylic. She has had ten group exhibits and one solo exhibit.

Her passions are painting and art in general. She has delved into sculpture and enjoys most arts and crafts.

She has been instructed by Renato Habulan, Caesar Cheng, Tom Daquiaog, and Fidel Sarmiento. She is a member of the Makati Artists Guild.

I am an active volunteer with the Women’s Board of St. Luke’s Medical Center, supporting the Social Services Department and helping raise funds for indigent patients of the hospital. As an artist, I paint primarily for leisure. My journey began in 2015, when I encouraged my mother-in-law to explore art with me at Sunshine Place. There, I discovered my own passion. With no formal training, I developed my style through regular practice under the guidance of Fidel Sarmiento and MeeLee Casey. I work on both canvas and porcelain, often portraying old doors with rusted locks, and weathered textures that reflect time, memory, and resilience.

ATTY. VICKY ORTEGA-POLLISCO has been honing her craft in painting since 2015 at Sunshine Place, under the mentorship of Maestro Fidel M. Sarmiento. A lawyer and licensed real estate broker by profession, she finds her true passion in the world of art.

In 2017, she began exploring abstract painting and she has made remarkable strides in the genre. Her talent has been recognized as a finalist in the Non-Representational Category (Abstract) of the GSIS National Art Competition in both 2024 and 2025.

While she continues to develop her abstract style, she still enjoys painting flowers – often capturing them with striking realism and delicate detail.

Mee Lee Casey, instructor to Porcelain Painting, shares her 20+ years of knowledge and training on the craft. Learning from various countries, UK, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, she brings the new art form in the Philippines, hence the first of its kind in the country.

Rhoda Canto is a retired banker, having worked in the industry for nearly 40 years. She currently teaches, on a consulting basis, various subjects in banking and finance, management, business development and communications.

I started my painting journey with acrylic, oils & watercolor in 2003. It’s a hobby that I love when I was busy raising my children. I am so glad that I was introduced to porcelain painting in February 2018 & found a group of fun and warm painting buddies at Sunshine Place.

The Hong Kong Porcelain Painting Club (HKPPC) was founded on 6th October 1999 by Mrs Rosemary Oh.

I love porcelain painting! Our wonderful teacher and friend, lao shi (italized), Mee Lee, makes it such a wonderful expefience! It’s been 6 years of growing in this particular style of overglaze painting, and 6 years of great caramaderie with my classmates! I have found my ikigai! My heart is full.

Terly has been in a corporate setting for over 40 years and had always dreamt of living her retirement journey crafting, painting and giving back to society. She now enjoys most of her days serving in her community at Contemplative Outreach Philippines, and as a member of The Women’s Board of St Luke’s Medical Center if not busy having fun with friends at Sunshine Place where she learned porcelain painting and decoupage.