Lawyer by profession, artist by passion.

Weekdays, Vicky handles real estate contracts; weekends, she paints vibrant, realistic flowers. She is the Philippines’ Georgia O’Keefe! She brings nature to life, aiming for the viewers to “smell the roses” through her art.

Her artistic journey began two decades ago, mentored by Rody Herrera. Recently, she ventured into abstracts influenced by Fidel M. Sarmiento. Vicky’s works has been exhibited in Rose Bowl, San Fernando, La Union, the Archaeology of Power Plant Mall and Chef Jessie at Rockwell Club and online, earning her recognition as a finalist in the 2024 GSIS National Art Competition for the non-representational category (abstract).

An Ateneo College and Law School graduate, Vicky has 35 years experience in real estate, with stints at San Lorenzo Development Corporation, KPPI Land Corporation (now Shang Properties Inc), Rockwell Land Corporation and Bonifacio Civic Center Holdings Inc.

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.

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

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.

I love porcelain painting! Our wonderful teacher and friend, lao shi, 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.

Thoughts from an “accidental Artist”.

I am, who you can call an “accidental artist”.

Back in the early 2000, curious as to why my retired friends excitedly shared their new “passion”-oil painting on canvas, I joined them. Started with pastel painting, then slowly graduated to oil on canvas! These weekend lessons brought me so much joy and excitement , and extended to my professional banking career. My office was a venue for my new works. Oh , my new works were all over my office!

This new excitement rubbed it in with my hubby ; that soon, he too , enrolled in my painting class. These new learnings further veered me away from the daily rigors from my professional banking career. With no endorsement from anyone; just curiosity, led me to walk in , in Sunshine Place. This time, its my adventure in painting on porcelain under teacher Mee Lee Casey. Soon, decoupage, and other arts and craft ideas, opened new doors for creativity, as teacher Tess Colayco let us in , in the importance of utilizing and converting household materials into pretty works of art.

Truly, in Sunshine Place, I have found my “Ikigai”, my forever “Happy Place”! Come, and let us usher you in , our Happy Place.

After working in the logic-driven, fast-paced IT field for almost 4 decades, I am now blessed with a more relaxed life – retired, and happily exploring my creative side. I am grateful to be part of the Sunshine Place community, where I have unlocked many platforms to express myself — be it through dance, visual arts, and crafting – allowing me to create art as I’ve never did before. I became part of this community in July 2024 and my days have become sunnier since! My mind is now always filled with exciting ideas for acrylic/porcelain and decoupage projects. I am also incredibly grateful in meeting new friends who share the same creative energy and interests, and love for good food on the side!

Some say that once one becomes a senior citizen, you enter the sunset phase of your life. This may be true, but the sun shines more vibrantly during sunset, right? I hope to be able to continue to create new things and make new discoveries here at Sunshine Place.

Nani Santos retired in 2014 from the corporate world after almost half century of productive learning. In 2016 she discovered the joys of new beginnings offered by Sunshine Place.