“Elmer Borlongan, I believe will someday become a national artist,” declares Fernando Sena in front of the crowd at the Children’s Museum and Library, Inc. (CMLI) Reunion Show reception. The event featuring his former students and spearheaded by Borlongan, also marked Sena’s 71st birthday.
It’s been more than four decades since Borlongan started under Sena’s tutelage but the teacher’s admiration for his student has not waned. Speaking mostly in the vernacular, Sena, also known as the Father of the Philippine Art Workshop remembers being impressed by the 11-year old Borlongan on the first day of classes. “I immediately saw that he had talent.”
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The young Borlongan religiously attended Sena’s workshops. “I witnessed his progress, how he improved over time,” says Sena. “He was hardworking, kind, creative, and determined. He told me he wanted to become a great artist, so I guided him.”
“Mr. Sena was encouraging. He would never make you feel like you’re doing something wrong. He would be all-praises. So when I was in his class, I had no inhibitions and no thoughts of whether my work was good or bad, I just enjoyed the process,” recalls Borlongan who conversed in Filipino.
He would come to class without materials and Sena provided everything—the pastels, pencils, watercolor. “I didn’t even have a sketch pad, instead I used the backside of posters that Mr. Sena would collect from the CMLI office.”
The workshops covered all medium. “Mr. Sena was generous, he taught us everything from the proper way of holding a pencil, to shadings, techniques, and drawings. He never held back anything and whenever I had questions about my work, he would always be willing to lend me a hand, especially when it came to coloring,” says Borlongan, a multi-awarded artist whose works are much sought-after here and abroad.
Sena puts emphasis on “sharing of colors.” For Borlongan, this took meaning beyond the canvas. “Mr. Sena would always tell me that someday, I should share with others what I learn from him. That really left a mark on me.” The 52-year-old mentee also says that the septuagenarian also mentored other artists even outside of CMLI, including multi-awarded Tarlac painter Ferdie Montemayor and figurative expressionist Joy Mallari.
Student becomes teacher
In exchange for free tuition at Sena’s CMLI classes, Borlongan became Sena’s assistant—erasing blackboards, sweeping the floor, and tagging along when Sena would go around depressed areas to educate the indigents on art. They would go to Antipolo, Tondo, Sapang Palay, Novaliches. “He taught everyone, and despite the flooding in Malabon, he would still go there to teach. I saw his dedication and he really became a role model to me,” the student raves about his teacher.
Borlongan was so inspired that, at 12 years old, he conducted his own art classes in his community, for children who could not afford to travel to Sena’s class. “I would memorize Mr. Sena’s lessons on Saturday then the following day, I would gather five of our neighbors in a small room in our house. I would set up visual aids, a blackboard, and still life and imitate how Mr. Sena teaches. I also allowed them to use my extra art materials,” he relates. Borlongan accompanied his students to art competitions. “I felt so happy when they would win,” And then he started to understand why Mr. Sena did what he did.
Borlongan eventually took up Fine Arts major in Painting at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. Sena was instrumental in this move. “I was thinking of taking up Architecture. When I consulted Mr. Sena, he said he spent years teaching me how to draw freehand then I will go to college to use a ruler and T-square?,” he laughs.
“The teacher is not always a teacher,” acknowledges Sena. “I also picked up a lot from Elmer. I only provided him the foundation, his basic training. I don’t keep secrets from my students because when they grow I also learn from them. Their success becomes my driving force to paint more. And when they become famous, I feel I’m a shadow that’s still part of who they are.”
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Despite their busy schedules, they have kept in touch through the years. Occasionally, Borlongan would still assist in Sena’s classes like the one conducted for juvenile delinquents at the Bacoor municipal jail. And instead of bonding over pancit luglug in Quiapo like they used to, they get together for breakfast to catch up these days.
“Elmer is like family to me. He still calls me for advice, I see to it that I am always supportive of him. He helped put my kids through school and reiterates to my children that he is ready to provide assistance because I helped him with his art many years ago. Maybe that’s why the lord has placed him where he is now because he is loving to his parents, has faith in God, and is humble. He is like a tree bent to the ground, reaching out to the soil that nourished him,” describes Sena.
“Noon at Ngayon: CMLI Reunion Show” features a collection of past and present paintings by Fernando Sena’s former CMLI students. Aside from Borlongan and Sena, the other participating artists are Rolly Acuña, Joy Ann Cabanos, Ferdinand Doctolero, Cecille Solidum Lelina, Pol Mesina, Jr., Mitzi Aguilar-Reyes, Jun Rocha, and Andy Abu Urag. The exhibit runs until April 17 at Sining Kamalig in Ali Mall, Cubao.