1. Fernando Belen Sena was born on March 30,1948 and 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.
24 Facts About Fernando Sena
1. 2.
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.
3.
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.
4.
Fernando Sena's family was poor and struggled to provide an education to him.
5.
Fernando Sena worked part-time as a newspaper peddler from elementary until high school.
6.
Fernando Sena later entered Arellano High School in Santa Cruz, Manila for a vocational course in commercial arts instead of a college preparatory course.
7.
Fernando Sena continued working as a newspaper peddler to save money.
8.
Fernando Sena returned to Arellano to take up a vocational certificate course in painting and later graduated as class valedictorian in 1966.
9.
Fernando Sena was able to save up money for at least one semester of college.
10.
Fernando Sena joined a free workshop of the Children's Museum and Library while he began saving money for college .
11.
Fernando Sena obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Painting in 1971.
12.
Fernando 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.
13.
Fernando Sena teaches free workshops to the sick, such as cancer and leukemia patients, to prisoners in jail, and children in orphanages.
14.
Fernando Sena has taught in University of the East College of Fine Arts and the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts.
15.
In 1973, Fernando Sena held his first one-man show at the Little Gallery at the Tesoro Building in Makati.
16.
Fernando Sena participated in group shows at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Hotel Intercontinental Manila, and the SM Megamall.
17.
Fernando Sena sent his paintings to exhibitions in Germany, Belgium, and China.
18.
Fernando Sena is adept in using different mediums and is able to shift from one style to another, from being a cubist-pointillist to realist-impressionist.
19.
Fernando Sena is recognized for his exquisite still lifes such as his trademark pandesal and toys but tackles a whole range of subjects, such as landscapes, portraits, religious icons, and everyday people.
20.
Fernando Sena is currently the president of the ADLFI and a member of multiple art groups such as the Saturday Group, the Wednesday Group, the Art Association of the Philippines, and the Iguhit Alaminos.
21.
Fernando Sena received the "Outstanding UE College of Fine Arts Alumni" award and the "Most Distinguished UE Alumni" in 1986 and 1989 respectively.
22.
Fernando Sena was married to Nancy Canauay with whom he had three children.
23.
Fernando Sena first met Canauay, a UP College of Arts and Letters professor, at an all-women exhibit he organized at City Gallery in 1985.
24.
Fernando Sena's wife was later diagnosed with breast cancer and later confined at the Philippine General Hospital.