Fernando Sena

Fernando Belen Sena (born March 30, 1948) is considered the Father of the Philippine Art Workshop for his tireless efforts in sharing his knowledge and talent with those who wish to learn. An all-around painter, Sena was born in Tondo, Manila and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree majoring in painting from the University of the East in 1971.

Early life Fernando "Nanding" Sena was born on March 30, 1948, in Tondo, Manila to Arturo Sena, a plantsador, whose livelihood was from ironing clothes, and Faustina Belen, a market vendor.

Sena's family was poor and struggled to provide an education to him. He worked part-time as a newspaper peddler from elementary until high school. This stint led him into honing his drawing skills as he copied illustrations from comics and movie ads from unsold papers before returning them to the dealer.

Education For his elementary studies, he attended Gregorio del Pilar Elementary School, where his teachers recognized Sena's artistic skills. They asked him to draw historical figures and posted his works at the school library. Sena later entered Arellano High School in Santa Cruz, Manila for a vocational course in commercial arts instead of a college preparatory course. This was a backup plan in case he could not enter college, as he would be employable in the print industry with the completion of the course. He graduated from Arellano in 1965. As the number of his students grew, their parents suggested to him that he conduct classes of his own. Sena now conducts free workshops in underprivileged areas such as Tondo, Sapang Palay, Carmona in Cavite, San Bartolome in Malabon, Antipolo, Taytay, and as far away as Tabaco, Albay. He also teaches free workshops to the sick, such as cancer and leukemia patients, to prisoners in jail, and children in orphanages. To this day, organizations invite him to conduct 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. Among his former students are Fidel Sarmiento, the incumbent president of the Art Association of the Philippines, whom he taught in 1975 in the CMLI art workshops, and Ronald Ventura whom Sena taught in Malabon. He has also taught in University of the East College of Fine Arts and the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts.

The Artist Fernando Sena divides his time between his two passions, painting and teaching. In 1973, Sena held his first one-man show at the Little Gallery at the Tesoro Building in Makati. Other solo shows followed at the Sining Kamalig, Gallery One, the National Library, the City Gallery, the Manila Hotel, the SM Megamall, and the Shangri-La Galleria. He participated in group shows at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Hotel Intercontinental Manila, and the SM Megamall. Sena also sent his paintings to exhibitions in Germany, Belgium, and China.

Sena works in different mediums and is influenced by different styles such as cubism, pointillism, realism, and impressionism. Sena is recognized for his still lifes of pandesal and toys but also tackles a whole range of subjects, such as landscapes, portraits, religious icons, and everyday people.

Social involvement To Sena, a painter serves two functions: the Wednesday Group, the Art Association of the Philippines, and the Iguhit Alaminos.

Reception Other than gaining the reputation of being the "Father of Philippine Art Workshops", Sena was named as one of the "Ten Outstanding Manilans" in 1979 for helping the youth develop their talent in art. He also received the "Outstanding UE College of Fine Arts Alumni" award

In 1999, he met Ester Tacayon, an elementary schoolteacher from Cotabato. Tacayon served as tutor to Sena's son Roald. In 2001, Sena and Tacayon got married. A year later they had a daughter, whom they named Christine.