My City, My SM: Nemiranda and his Rizal

MANILA, Philippines - Popularly known as Nemiranda, ?painter and sculptor Nemesio R. ?Miranda, Jr. is a child of the ?lakeshore town of Angono, Rizal, which is known as the Art Capital of the Philippines. His works reflect the mystic charm of his hometown — its folklore and rustic lakeside scenes, as well as its people’s love for their family and the environment.

Drawing the human form through pure imagination, Nemiranda has evolved as the country’s forerunner of Imaginative Figurism and a master of the human form. He has had over 50 exhibitions in various parts of the world, and has been commissioned to do sculptural monuments like the People Power Mural at the EDSA Shrine in Ortigas, the World Earth Day Mural in the Philippine Senate, and the 20 Mysteries of the Holy Rosary from the EDSA Shrine to the Antipolo Cathedral, which have become landmarks in key cities in the Philippines.

Apart from being a prolific painter and sculptor, Nemiranda is considered a leader in Angono’s thriving cultural community. The first in Angono to popularize sculpture in concrete, his Nermiranda Art House and Museum serves as an exhibition hall for the artists in Angono and the rest of Rizal.

Together with other artists, he trail-blazed the development, promotion and growth of regional art by founding the Angono Ateliers Association, the Rizal Arts Federation, the Angono Foundation for Tourism and the Arts, and the Angono Tourism Council.

Nemiranda beside the Ang Nuno, a sculpture on the grounds of his Art House inspired by the hermits of folk legend and lore.

Nemiranda’s passion for the arts and his involvement in civic groups like Boy Scouts of the Philippines and the Rotary Club have made him a catalyst in the development of his hometown as the Art Capital of the Philippines. Here, he takes us around his Rizal, his SM.

“I made painting and sculptures of mythical creatures like mermaids and Malakas at Maganda because legends can be forgotten with the passage of time. But if you immortalize these with art works, they will not be forgotten by future generation.”

Known as the House of Legends, the Nemiranda Art House and Museum was designed and constructed by the artist himself, using indigenous materials such as bamboo, sawali, and old recycled wood coming from Angono’s old convent and church. The Arthouse is surrounded by mythical murals of the Mariang Makiling, Mutya ng Pasig, and Bernardo Carpio; and is a showcase of the works of the artist and his five children. Attached to the Art House is the family residence, which has become a tourist attraction because of its turn-of-the-century wooden designs, and its collection of Nemiranda’s works from the Sixties and Seventies.

“Apart from painting and sculpture, it is my passion to transform Angono into an Artist’s Village. I have been training artists since the 1970s.”

“No visit to my hometown would be complete without stopping by the Carlos “Botong “ Francisco Gallery.”

The Art Camp at the Nemiranda Art House and Museum complex is a center for art workshops and events, while the Atelier Café in true artistic fashion uses old sewing machines for tables and has photographs and artistic notes from artists past and present. It will serve Angono cuisine like sinigang na kanduli and organic tea. Both the Art Camp and the Atelier Café are envisioned to be gathering places for artists.

“If I would take guests around my hometown, I would take them on a tour that would celebrate the arts. We are home to two national artists — Carlos Botong Francisco for the Visual Arts and Lucio San Pedro for Music. Rizal also has numerous galleries and a vibrant art scene.”

“Art lovers must not miss the Blanco Museum, which showcases the works of Jose “Pitok” V. Blanco and his family.”

“SM has not only brought progress to Taytay and the rest of Rizal province, but has also been our partner in promoting our regional arts.”

“I like shopping for my clothes at SM’s Menswear Department.”