Nemi Miranda

Nemesio "Nemiranda" Miranda Jr. was born on February 14, 1949, in Angono, Rizal. He was inspired by two prominent members of the Order of National Artists of the Philippines: Francisco Coching, a Filipino comic book illustrator, who became his exemplar when he started to paint at the age of five, and Carlos "Botong Francisco, a Filipino muralist and a National Artist from his hometown, who influenced him from furthering his craft up to having him engaged in scouting through the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. He graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in 1970 with a Degree in Fine Arts major in Painting.

During his younger years, one of his most impressive achievements was winning First Place in the Shankar International Competition in India when he was only 15. His entry, "Storm", has been particularly compiled together with the other prizewinning entries of artists from all around the world in Shankar's Children's Art Number, Volume 16, Indraprastha Press, 1965. From allegorical creatures based on familiar legends and folklore up to the ways of life of locals, his pure imagination, and his brushstrokes create masterpieces that embody a style that would be known as his signature imaginative figurative style of art. His artworks, like "Ang Nuno", "Habagat", "The Mermaid of Angono", "Maria Makiling", "Malakas at Maganda", "Bernardo Carpio" are just some of his remarkable pieces of art.

He also outstandingly contributed his expertise in sculpture and mural painting. Some of his significant works of art include the People Power I Mural. EDSA Il Relief Sculptures, The Way of Mary, which consists of 20 relief sculptures depicting the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary from EDSA Shrine all the way to Antipolo. Nemiranda co-founded the Angono Ateliers Association in 1975 to recognize the exceptional talent of Angono, Rizal's artists. He is also the promoter of the well-celebrated Higantes Festival of Angono. Nemiranda also served to assist in institutionalizing the Angono School for the Arts to hone young and talented students to excel in the arts. He even shared with the public the Nemiranda Family Museum, the Nemiranda Atelier Restoran, and the Nemiranda Art Camp as his way of engaging the people in the arts and promoting Angono tourism as well. With his more than 100 solo exhibits and numerous group exhibits. Nemiranda has significantly contributed to culture and the arts.