PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF FUNDACION Sansó artist Juvenal Sansó. 
LIFE

Fundacion Sansó gives back

Matthew Pirante-Pérez

During his early years, artist Juvenal Sansó received a stipend for his art education abroad.

Having enjoyed an enduring and accomplished career in the art scene, it had been his wish for other artists' talent to be nurtured and realized, especially those to whom life had dealt a bad hand.

Not wanting such potential to be wasted because of economical constraints, Fundacion Sansó was established — for art students and other creatives to be given the same fighting chance for their skills to shine.

'Keep the Faith' by Miguel Voluntad.
'Pangarap Kalayaan Kalusugan' by Geoffrey Allan Diezma.
'Ang Katotohanan sa Ilalim ng Kasinungalingan' by John Nino Esguerra.

Fundacion Sansó reinterpreted the artist's wish into a bursary that would benefit art scholars with different types of scholarships and grants, which not only help the beneficiaries financially but also enrich them through mentorship and projects, getting one foot in the door of the art industry.

Top prize Sanso scholar Charles Andrei Espiritu.

The Fundacion Sansó Fine Arts Student Stipend, launched in 2016, provides monthly financial assistance to select students, covering the purchase of necessary art supplies and other needs for their studies. The stipend currently supports its third batch of scholars from the Bulacan State University.

During a thanksgiving dinner held at the Sansó museum, director Ricky Francisco also explained the artist's understanding of creativity and inspiration, which takes time.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF FUNDACION Sansó
'The Radiance of Prayer' by Noreen Alfonso.

As such, overstaying is not an issue as support will be given as long as the artist excels.

The program has benefited 22 scholars in total and is projected to benefit more in the following years.