The art of ancestry: Joanna Ongpin-Duarte on uncovering roots and the spirit of the season

Christmas is a special time that celebrates the feeling of love -- love for others, of the things we do and, of course, ourselves, most importantly.

Sometimes, curiosity begins from an interest, then when that grows and is pushed a little further, it becomes a hobby. When a recreational activity or pastime becomes a regular commitment and an act towards mastery, passion is formed — it’s the greater awareness of who you are and not what you do. This means knowing, understanding and celebrating who you are — your roots, origins and ancestry.

NewNowNext (NNN) spotlights renowned philanthropist, entrepreneur and now accomplished artist Joanna Ongpin-Duarte for its Christmas edition as she takes us into her world of art. Her strokes of genius paint a thousand words as they reflect Philippine culture, tradition, heritage and genealogy.

She presents a plethora of characters that, for a moment, visually takes one back in time and somehow narratively echoes a scene from the nation’s past. Beautiful, brilliant and captivating, these masterpieces unravel gems of the past and relevant stories to tell.

NNN chats with the modest, kind and unassuming master-in-the-making in Philippine art.

How did this life in art begin? Is this a hobby? Do you have a normal job?

My painting hobby began accidentally. My children used to have an art teacher, Jheng Marzan, who came to our home on Sundays. Not all Sundays would have both able to do art, so I would take the open slot so as not to waste Jheng’s trip. At first it was simply trying something new. Over time, it became a real source of enjoyment, and eventually a personal commitment to keep going. When I began painting, I was working full-time at an NGO.

In the last year, I’ve been rewiring my life to focus more on art and my path toward becoming an executive coach. My past professional life has been in entrepreneurship, sales and marketing, a social enterprise and development. Painting is technically still my hobby, but it has grown into something much more personal and meaningful to me.

Did you study, have any training, background, take any workshops to develop this talent? If yes, what are they? If not, what was the turning point that made you decide to do this.

I am not formally trained. I never went to art school, and for a long time I believed you needed a degree to “earn the right” to paint. Jheng was a wonderfully patient and encouraging teacher who always said, “Madali lang yan. Kaya mo ’yan (That’s easy. You can do it).” Eventually, I believed him. The turning point for me was realizing that art is expression — a way of finding yourself and challenging yourself to go beyond. I was doing it for me, and whenever the art resonated with others, I was simply thrilled.

What are the subjects of your works in general and why? 

My subjects come from early Philippine prints, archival photos, postcards and family histories. I’m drawn to our ancestry as a way to understand the present. Each time I paint, I learn something about us, about our world, our roots and what we carry forward.  

What is your process? How long does it take to make a piece? What’s your medium?

I work in oil on canvas. My process usually begins with a historical reference — a print or a photograph. I first compose the piece on my computer, then make more adjustments once I’m in front of the canvas. A piece can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, especially since I generally paint only on weekends. I paint one canvas at a time so I can stay fully present and focused on that single creative conversation.

What was your first piece of art?  Why?

My first piece was a vignette of shelves in my home. It was easy access to a reference. That first work eventually began a series I call my “abubut paintings,” which I create when I take breaks from painting old prints and photographs.

What is the most difficult piece you did and why?

The most difficult pieces are always commissioned portraits. I see them as partnership projects that must carry both my artistic voice and the vision of the people who commissioned them. They stretch me, but they also teach me, and for that I am grateful.

What do you think makes your work distinct, authentic, your own voice?

My artistic voice comes from honoring our past and ancestry while giving myself the freedom to reinterpret them in my own way. Every person expresses these things uniquely. The family we’re born into, the life we live, the environment around us — all of these shapes our distinct expression in art. Mine is simply the natural outcome of my own lived experience.

What are your greatest influences, inspiration?

My greatest influences are some of my ancestors: Damian Domingo, considered the father of Filipino painting and established the first Philippine art academy. He was also known to popularize the Tipos del Pais style of painting. Alfonso Ongpin, a significant art collector of Philippine art and a Rizalist with an extensive collection on Jose Rizal, was also a photographer, historian and art restorer. He had vast correspondence archives -- filled with postcards, which I sometimes use for inspiration.

What are your dream projects and how do you see yourself as an artist in five years?

I dream of having more time to paint, of continuously evolving as an artist, and of reaching my next milestone — 200 paintings. I would love to create pieces that help beautify spaces and hold special meaning for their owners.

I’m especially excited about an upcoming collaboration with my artist cousins — portraitist Mia Herbosa, printmaker Caroline Ongpin, our niece Nina Herbosa and my daughter Rocio. Together, we will be launching Obras Ongpin, our first-ever booth at Art in the Park on 15 March, 2026. In five years, I hope I am still painting — with more skill, more confidence, a clearer voice and a deeper sense of who I am becoming through this practice.

In one word, describe how you are feeling about your life in art, and why.

 If I had to describe how I feel about this life in art in one word: Surprised (pleasantly).

This path wasn’t planned, and yet it has given me connection, meaning and an unexpected sense of self in the process.