Collection: Juanito Peñera

Peñera’s work is heavily influenced by his early life. Growing up in Naga City, he lived close to Our Lady of Peñafrancia Shrine, the site of the annual Peñafrancia pilgrimage and celebrations in Bicol. Thus, the image of “Ina”, the Virgin Mother, figures as a constant subject in his paintings. His works honor the festivity and warmth of the Marian devotion. He also paints subjects evoking love for family and community. He often paints scenes from the past to remind us about the peacefulness and simplicity of a foregone era. His paintings depict the beauty of untouched nature – so vividly that we can almost smell the fragrant air ourselves.

Peñera got his big break during one of the Naga City exhibits of the Salingoy Art Group. It was during this time when Father Joel Tabora, SJ, then president of Ateneo de Naga University, was in search of an artist to paint a native Jesus for the newly built University Church. Father Tabora saw Nitz’s art works and commissioned him to make all the church’s paintings (see featured images) as well as the colorful sacred glass designs on the ceiling, front door carving, church pews, and sculptures, And the rest as they say, is art history. Nitz was one of the finalists who received the Bayaning Bayan award from the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) in 2015. His recent paintings about Bantog of the Ibalon epic are intended for the Museo de Isarog of Partido State University.