Atty. Vicky O. 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 has since made remarkable strides in the genre. Her work was recognized as a finalist in the Non-Representational (Abstract) Category of the GSIS National Art Competition in both 2024 and 2025.

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

With her extraordinary eye for detail, exquisite sense of style, and love of storytelling, Artist Bernadette Bueta Fermo has built a devoted following. Admirers are drawn to her remarkable ability to create paintings of striking realism, capturing subjects with exceptional precision and depth.

As she puts it, “I try to put my subjects on canvas as realistically and as detailed as possible. However, I make sure I leave something for the viewer’s imagination.”

This philosophy reflects her artistic approach—balancing meticulous realism with subtle mystery, inviting viewers to engage with each piece and discover their own interpretations.

For Birgit Daniela Gross, the greatest source of artistic inspiration lies in the quiet poetry of nature. She is endlessly drawn to the water, where light, movement, and color come together to create moments of fleeting beauty. During one of these moments, she noticed a tiny crab—so small it could have easily gone unseen. Yet within its delicate form, she discovered a world of subtle colors, intricate textures, and quiet resilience.

For Gross, nature is the greatest painter—every reflection, every tide, and every living creature tells a story waiting to be discovered.

Through her work, she seeks to capture these intimate encounters, inviting viewers to pause, look closer, and rediscover the extraordinary beauty hidden within the ordinary.

An accomplished artist specializing in traditional Chinese brush painting, Carolina “Carol” Ocampo-Llanillo began studying the Lingnan style under Master Hau Chiok of China and the Philippines in 1981.

In the spring of 1985, Carol took a break from her Chinese brush painting studies to pursue art in Florence, Italy, where she enrolled at the Scuola San Lorenzo under the guidance of Prof. Patrick Hamilton. Her training focused primarily on charcoal and pastel nude drawings, with occasional exercises encouraging her to draw freely from her imagination.

In 2015, Carol developed a passion for oil portraiture. With the encouragement and expert mentorship of Maestro Fidel Sarmiento, President of the Art Association of the Philippines, she further refined her craft. Within just two years, she completed portraits of the first 16 Presidents of the Philippines, along with portraits of several close friends. Today, Carol continues to create commissioned portrait paintings. In 2020, Imelda R. Marcos commissioned her to paint two of her portraits.

To date, Carol has mounted eleven solo exhibitions in the Philippines and abroad, including one at the Philippine Center on Fifth Avenue in New York City, two exhibitions in Italy organized by a friend from Genoa, and an exhibition at the World Trade Center in Stockholm upon the invitation of Ambassador Gatmaitan in celebration of Philippine Independence Day. She has also participated in numerous group exhibitions.

In recent years, Carol has embraced abstract painting using the impasto technique. Alongside her portraiture, figure paintings, and her signature “girl” series, oil has become her preferred medium of expression.

Inspired by the beauty and serenity of nature, the artist is delighted to once again participate in the exhibition at Sunshine Place.

A devoted nature lover, she finds joy and inspiration in every movement of the leaves, the gentle sway of the trees, the colors of sunrise and sunset, and the soothing breeze of the wind. These simple yet profound moments capture both her attention and her heart. While becoming one with the universe may be difficult to describe, the emotions they evoke are always uplifting.

Nature is her greatest source of inspiration, awakening a deep desire to capture its beauty on canvas.

She extends her heartfelt gratitude to Maestro Fidel and Sir Robert for sharing their knowledge and teaching the techniques that continue to shape her artistic journey.

Above all, she hopes that everyone remains thankful for nature and Mother Earth, and wishes all who view her work many blessed, joyful, and inspiring days ahead.

Conchitina Bernardo has been painting at Sunshine Place for the past ten years. Although she embarked on this artistic journey later in life, it opened the door to a wealth of creativity and personal fulfillment.

Painting allowed her to discover a talent that had lain dormant for many years, bringing both a deep sense of accomplishment and renewed purpose.

She finds great joy in completing each work and is especially grateful when her paintings resonate with and are appreciated by others.

Connie discovered her love for painting later in life, when she was in her fifties. What began as a Saturday hobby became a meaningful creative pursuit, proving that art—and learning itself—knows no age or profession.

Delle Paulino has always been immersed in the arts. A fashion designer by profession, she owns a uniform manufacturing company that has been a forerunner in the industry for over 30 years. Beyond fashion, she has also explored landscape and underwater photography.

In retirement, Delle embraced a new creative chapter, pursuing oil and acrylic painting while continuing a lifelong journey in the arts.

Ed Ramos: From Finance to Fine Art

Ed Ramos spent over 25 years as a bank trader before discovering his passion for painting in 2015. His work spans landscapes, portraits, still life, and most recently, abstract art.

In 2025, he was selected as one of 29 finalists in the non-representational category of the GSIS National Art Competition, chosen from over 450 entries nationwide. It was a proud moment that marked how far he’s come on his artistic journey—and how much he continues to grow through his love for painting.

Erlinda “Leni” Reynoso-Araullo is a Filipino contemporary artist recognized for her richly textured acrylic paintings inspired by sacred iconography and devotional traditions. Drawing from Byzantine and Catholic imagery, she transforms acrylic into sculptural relief, creating works that invite contemplation, reverence, and spiritual reflection.

A lifelong educator, Araullo has devoted over fifty-six years to teaching culinary arts in the Philippines and the United States, and seventeen years teaching in the medical field across six colleges and two universities in the U.S. She holds five academic degrees, including two master’s degrees and a doctorate in Education.

A recipient of First Honorable Mention at the 2026 GSIS National Art Competition, Araullo has mounted two solo exhibitions and participated in numerous group and online exhibitions. Two of her works are part of the collection of St. Casimir Lithuanian Catholic Church in Los Angeles, California.

Through her distinctive textured technique, Araullo continues to reinterpret sacred imagery with craftsmanship, devotion, and enduring faith.

A former writer of children’s books and lifestyle columnist, Lin has found a new creative calling in painting under the mentorship of Fidel Sarmiento and Robert Hernandez.

From the written word to the painted canvas, she continues to express her creativity through art, finding renewed fulfillment in every brushstroke.

Mr. Sarmiento has received numerous prestigious awards in the Philippines and abroad. He currently serves as President of the Art Association of the Philippines and is a former member of the Board of Trustees of the National Museum, reflecting his significant contributions to the country’s artistic and cultural landscape.

Ka Fidel’s interest in colonial architecture began during his studies in architecture at the Mapúa Institute of Technology in Manila. He later earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from FEATI University, laying the foundation for a distinguished career as one of the country’s respected artists and mentors.

From an early age, Grace Agbayani’s appreciation for color and composition was nurtured through the world of fashion. Her mother, Florencia Coronel, created beautiful children’s clothing under the brand Cinderella, surrounding Grace with a vibrant tapestry of hues, design, and creativity.

Immersed in this symphony of color and artistry, Grace developed a lifelong passion for the visual arts—one that naturally found its expression through painting.

Joyce Ashworth (b. Manila, Philippines) is a contemporary Filipino artist whose practice explores ambiguity, perception, and emotional restraint through abstraction, minimalism, and contemporary realism.

Working primarily in acrylic, she develops paintings through disciplined composition, subtle tonal relationships, and layered surfaces, inviting quiet contemplation.

Ashworth is a Selected Artist, Woman Art Award, Milan (2026), GSIS National Art Competition Finalist (2023, 2025), Honorable Mention (2024), and a Finalist in the 2025 Sining Filipina Painting Competition (Figurative).

Her work has appeared in publications including Lady Masters of Contemporary Philippine Art (2026), Woman’s Essence: 10th Anniversary Edition (Milan, 2026), Alphabet of Filipino Contemporary Artists (2024), and the Art Association of the Philippines Book (2023). She was profiled by The Manila Times in 2025.

Her work has been exhibited in the Philippines and online internationally, including New York, and she is a listed artist at The Art Gallery at Rockefeller State Park Preserve, New York. She lives and works in Manila, Philippines.

Loida Tan is an active volunteer with the Women’s Board of St. Luke’s Medical Center, where she supports the Social Services Department and helps raise funds for indigent patients. Although she paints primarily for leisure, her artistic journey began in 2015 when she encouraged her mother-in-law to explore art with her at Sunshine Place. It was there that she discovered her own passion for painting.

Without formal training, Tan developed her distinctive style through regular practice under the guidance of Fidel Sarmiento and Mee Lee Casey.

Working on both canvas and porcelain, she often portrays old doors with rusted locks and weathered textures, reflecting themes of time, memory, and resilience.

Over the years, the artist has explored various mediums, including charcoal, oil, watercolor, and, most recently, acrylic. Through the mentorship of Maestro Fidel Sarmiento and his able assistant, Robert Fernandez, the artist has gained a deeper understanding of the medium, developing the skills and techniques that have enriched a growing mastery of acrylic painting.

For the artist, painting is a form of silent meditation—keeping the mind active, nurturing creativity, and providing relief from the stresses of daily life.

Through each work, the artist hopes to offer a visual expression that invites viewers to discover their own interpretations and personal connections with every piece.

Mee Lee Casey, instructor of porcelain painting, shares over two decades of knowledge and expertise in the craft. Having trained in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Australia, she brings a wealth of international experience to her teaching.

Drawing from her training abroad, Casey introduced porcelain painting to the Philippines, making it the first of its kind in the country.

For Rica Rosario B. Ong, art is a means of expressing emotions, ideas, and personal reflections. It serves not only as a form of self-expression but also as a source of therapy, allowing her to find beauty and balance in life.

Deeply inspired by Asian aesthetics, her works feature blue-and-white ginger jars, antique lamps, calado embroidery, and vintage furniture—capturing the timeless charm of a bygone era. As she describes it, she is “an old soul in a contemporary world.”

Beyond the canvas, Rica finds inspiration in life’s quiet moments. Whether walking along the beach with her beloved furry companions at sunset or tending to her garden, each experience nurtures her rediscovered passion for painting. She credits her late father for shaping the woman she is today, encouraging her to pursue her dreams with courage rather than fear.

Robert Lopez Fernandez is a Filipino painter whose journey in art began in 2001 with the Art Association of the Philippines, where he served as a volunteer and canvas maker before fully committing to painting. Originally a tattoo artist, he transitioned into the visual arts and has since developed a disciplined practice in still life and figurative painting.

Fernandez has received multiple awards since 2006, was selected as a finalist in the GSIS National Art Competition, and has exhibited internationally, including participation in the Young Art Philippines 2009 Euro Tour across Europe.

For more than six years, he has taught painting alongside Fidel M. Sarmiento at Sunshine Place, nurturing new artists and contributing to community art education. His work reflects both technical rigor and an open engagement with tradition and everyday subjects.

Veronica Veloso Yap Wuson is a writer, golfer, and visual artist whose creative life seamlessly bridges storytelling, sport, and the visual arts. As a longtime journalist and feature writer, she has chronicled inspiring people and communities through essays and lifestyle stories published in leading Philippine publications. On the golf course, she channels that same focus, embracing the game’s core values of discipline, integrity, and camaraderie.

Her journey as a visual artist began unexpectedly on a rainy afternoon when she wandered into Sunshine Place and discovered its art classes. Deciding that the weather shouldn’t keep her away from the game, she chose to play golf on canvas instead. Under the guidance of artists Fidel Sarmiento and Robert Fernandez, her work quickly evolved.

A finalist in the 2025 GSIS National Art Competition, Wuson expresses her lifelong creative journey through richly textured compositions, delicate gold leaf, and deeply layered imagery.

Victoria Lopez began painting under the mentorship of Maestro Fidel Sarmiento and Robert Fernandez in October 2019. Since then, she has continued to pursue her artistic journey at Sunshine Place.

For Victoria, Sunshine Place has become her “Happy Place”—a space where creativity, learning, and fulfillment come together through art.