The intricacies of art in all forms have naturally intrigued Rica Rosario B. Ong from an early age.
A graduate of Fine Arts major in Interior Design at the College of the Holy Spirit, Rica was born October 3, 1966, to Remedios Cabral Balingit and Ong Ben Cuan in Gabaldon Nueva Ecija. Her entrepreneurial father uprooted the family to Binondo, Manila which instilled the art of business to young Rica and dislodged the art of painting.
But the art of designing jewelries beckoned her. And whatever she does, she prepares to be the best in the field. Hence, she carries a sought after diploma in Diamond Grading from the prestigious Gemological Institute of America. Rica indulged in this sparkling intriguing industry for 14 years relegating interior design to a hobby.
The art of business continued to motivate Rica. An eureka moment happened during one of her Bangkok trips. Armed with faith, schooled and guided by her father, she founded a cargo business she knew nothing about and in a foreign land at that. Hence, for 10 years, Rica lived in Bangkok, growing the business which is still thriving for more than two decades.
She finally fully embraced the art of painting this year after a serendipitous encounter with Sunshine Place alumna. Under the tutelage of master artist Fidel M. Sarmiento, Rica developed a realist style using acrylics. She paints listening to slow and country music, because “music speaks what you feel inside.” More inclined to monotone colors, Rica believes that her multi-faceted interests from furniture and interior design, jewelry design to gardening, conspired her towards painting.
“ Art for me is a way to express my emotions and feelings. It can be used to communicate ideas and thoughts, or a tool for self expressions. It is a form of therapy, or a means to find beauty and balance in life,” said Rica.
Her works are heavily Asian influenced - blue and white ginger jars, old lamps, calado embroidery, vintage furniture- “ representing old world charm...am an old soul in a contemporary world.” To relax, Rica walks along side her furry babies in the beach watching the sunset or simply gardening. Every act becomes an inspiration for her rediscovered love for painting. She credits the woman she is today to her late father who pushed her not with fear but with courage to fulfill her dreams.
