Collection: Fernando Sena

For his unwavering dedication to sharing his skills and expertise with those who aspire to learn, Fernando Belen Sena is acknowledged as the Father of the Philippine Art Workshop. A versatile artist, Sena was born in Tondo, Manila and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the University of the East in 1971.

Following his graduation, Sena selflessly volunteered to teach art classes for the CMLI for nearly ten years. As the number of his pupils grew, their parents urged him to establish his own classes. Sena currently provides free workshops in impoverished areas like Tondo, Sapang Palay, Carmona in Cavite, San Bartolome in Malabon, Antipolo, Taytay, and as far away as Tabaco, Albay. He also imparts free lessons to the infirm, such as cancer and leukemia patients, prisoners in jails, and children in orphanages. To this day, organizations invite him to deliver art classes. Sena offers art workshops during the summer at the Philippine Heart Center, U.P. Vargas Museum, and at his own home, among other places. His former pupils include Fidel Sarmiento, the incumbent president of the Art Association of the Philippines, who was trained in 1975 in the CMLI art workshops, and Ronald Ventura, whom Sena taught in Malabon. He has also instructed in the University of the East College of Fine Arts and the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts.