Sansó’s Inks on Canvasses, Papers, and People
Juvenal Sansó continues to live on through his paintings, the people he met, and “Sansó: Prized and Personal,” a book made possible because of him.
Words Rica Mae Labbao
Photo courtesy of Fundacion Sansó
December 05, 2025
It is the legacy of a man that lives long to narrate his timeless story. With Fundacion Sansó’s launching of “Sansó: Prized and Personal,” Juvenal Sansó is celebrated through the masterpieces he created and the narratives of the people who cherish and admire his incredible lifelong journey.
Collectors turned friends, book contributors, and art historians relive Sansó’s depth, warmness, and generosity throughout his long life, in which even after he left, he still continued to leave a mark by helping budding artists through his foundation.
This 464-page volume reveals almost 600 prized artworks by Sansó from private collectors and deep personal interviews from scholars who’ve interacted with him. This paper trace of Sansó offers an extensive historical insight into the Presidential Medal of Merit awardee’s creative trajectory and distinctive philosophy.
“It is a mirror reflecting why his art continues to be both prized and deeply personal. Because his publication is not meant only for collectors and scholars, his publication is primarily meant for our nation,” Fundacion Sansó Director Ricky Francisco remarked.
Characters of Different Authors
In the eyes of many, Juvenal Sanso is defined by various stories all shaped in a single genuine narrative—a brilliant man in tune with his emotions and values.
A person who is not biologically Filipino but a pure Filipino part of the Philippine art scene is how artist and art critic Cid Reyes describes Sansó.
“Mr. Sansó taught me how to look at art beyond the physical, literal level of art making. And for that, I'm really very grateful. It's really like he's always been a part of our consciousness.”
For long-time gallerist Jack Teotico, Sansó is a very expressive artist. According to him, there are five criterions in art—vision, innovation, technique, emotional impact, and signature—all of these are met by Sansó, most importantly the fourth one.
“Actually, we, well, some of us in the community, we like to refer to him as the foremost or the first expressionist painter of the Philippines. Because he could really express even the angst and the anguish of his life,” Teotico shared.
Back Story of Fundacion Sansó
In the narration of Jack Teotico, Fundacion Sansó started its humble journey with Sansó’s worry of the precedented biological reality within their family.
“He said, you know, my mother died from Alzheimer's. And then he said, my ate, my older sister, already has advanced Alzheimer's. So he said, it's going to happen to me. So I think he spoke well of his vision and foresight. And so he said, you know, why don't we put up a museum? And then, we sort of laughed about it. But we started getting an architect, a very good architect. And then we found a place,” Teotico recalled.
After two years, the museum opened its doors, and unfortunately, as he predicted, Sansó was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Since then, the museum paved their way to exemplify and immortalize not just the artworks of Juvenal Sansó but the lasting impact and advocacy that he left.
As of today, the museum’s latest exhibit, “Prized and Personal: The Legacy,” is open for visitors at the Art Lounge Manila - Podium. This exhibit is the celebration of Juvenal Sansó’s birth anniversary that coincided with the launch of the book, another milestone commemorating a single man that caused a ripple effect to many through his emotions depicted in canvases, papers, and people.
“Prized and Personal: The Legacy” is open for viewing from November 26 until December 4 at the Art Lounge Manila, while “Sansó: Prized and Personal” is available for purchase at the website below: https://fundacionsanso.shop/products/sanso-prized-personal
