Born and raised in the Philippines, Arnica Acantillado first pursued a degree in Architecture at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. With the encouragement of supportive peers and a strong family support system, she was inspired to further develop her artistic abilities, eventually leading her to participate in various art competitions. Her determination to grow as an artist and contribute to the Philippine art scene became a constant driving force in her journey.

Through perseverance and dedication to refining her craft, Acantillado gained recognition for her work and received awards in several prestigious competitions, including the Shell National Student Art Competition, the Eyebank Foundation Painting Competition, the PLDT-DPC Telephone Directory Cover Competition, and the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence, among others. Today, she continues to actively exhibit her works in both group and solo exhibitions across different galleries in the country.