ARTISTRY MAY BLOOM in the most mundane of places. One such instance is the story of Dr. Juno Parungao, PhD., a part-time professor of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) teaching “The Life and Works of Rizal” and “Ethics” courses. But beyond this portrait of an esteemed Doctor of Educational Psychology lies a passionate soul for the arts. 

Recounting her journey as an artist, Dr. Parungao iterates her personal experience—from once hesitating even to pick up the brush to unexpectedly having her artworks featured in prominent art exhibitions as well as in significant broadsheets like Inquirer, The Philippine STAR, and Manila Bulletin. Immerse yourself in this narrative painted on canvas as Dr. Parungao details the brushstrokes of her life, both dark blues and vibrant yellows, that have made her the beloved artist and professor she is today. 

The ‘Flame’ that Never Went Away 

During her childhood, Dr. Parungao confessed that she has always been fascinated with art—a follower of the arts, as some may say. It was due to her young self, thinking above and beyond the box and finding a medium to express herself beyond the limits of ABCs. However, just as how the perils of Filipino indoctrination would affect artists from pursuing their passion, so did she. As the old heads argue, “passion will never feed a grumbling stomach.” 

But even amid the misplaced perspective people have with the arts, the fire that lit Dr. Parungao’s passion never disappeared. It did waver, in a sense, as she admitted that her abilities would sometimes fall short. But nonetheless, her passion for expressing them outweighed them all.  

“There is no framework out there that would tell me that I would be able to do it, kasi given that what I had, parang I’m short of talent and that skill, but I know I have it in me, that urge to express,” Dr. Parungao added. 

However, Dr. Parungao’s fate would slowly take a turn, following the presentation of her artworks at the Rockwell Club in 2008 that would eventually become a springboard to her entrance into the world of professional artists.  

Defining ‘Art’ 

“Art comes from feelings and experiences,” Dr. Parungao told The Bedan. She highlighted that art is a medium that proves humans have humanity—a kind of humanity that pertains to the life that each and every person experiences. Joy, pain, laughter, anxiety, depression, and nirvana are just a fraction of what truly defines man as human.  

Recalling Dr. Parungao’s words, our feelings and experiences can be expressed in many ways, through patterns, colors, musical notes, letters, and other mediums of expression. She highlighted that these emotions are “not isolated,” as they “connect us to the plane of reality” we experience daily.  

“Feelings make us human. That complicated, sophisticated feeling, that is not just a chain; it is a web, a mosaic, that goes on and on in a non-linear fashion,” Dr. Parungao said.  

Dr. Juno’s Bread and Butter 

If every artist has their own unique style—so does Dr. Parungao, taking in the form of Esoteric Art which would ultimately serve as her bread and butter as an artist. She and her fellow artist, Ivan Basit, brainstormed to think of a way to set themselves apart from fellow artists. To your knowledge, esoteric art refers to secret knowledge, not just referring to the supernatural. To Dr. Parungao, esoteric art is personal, allowing a person to feel either empowered or enlightened. 

Alongside Ivan, Dr. Parungao delved into symbols to conceptualize their esoteric art, which aimed to be inclusive as they embraced humanity’s cultural beliefs and uniqueness. Sacred Manifestations was one of the many art exhibits in which Dr. Parungao released works akin to esoteric art. Released last 2016 at the Art Circle Café Makati, the artworks were centered on the pre-colonial life of the Philippines. But despite this, she invited observers to have their own take on the meaning of her works. 

As an artist, she alluded to “growing through life’s lessons” as an inspiration. Dr. Parungao saw to it that her evolution inspired her to continue to change and get better than the last time. “You cannot not change. If you’re changing, you have been allowing life to influence you and teach you for anybody—that’s a good thing,” she added. It is evident that Dr. Parungao’s art has evolved and became more refined over time.  

If you are an artist with a keen eye, you may have noticed the influence of Wassily Kandinsky, Josef Albers, and Dr. Oliver Sacks’ “Musicophilia” in Dr. Parungao’s work. She admitted that she may be the only one who “heard” the canvas, and this is due to the aforementioned artists’ styles that involve shapes, colors, and varying elements carrying a heavy use of symbolism. At the same time, Sacks’ work serves as her inspiration. 

“Kumbaga may tune depending sa colors na ginamit niya. So na-inspire ako d’un na pwede ka pala maging playful on canvas. Hindi naman pala kailangan na super real, or balanced, or you do that classical style. Hindi pala ga’non,” she professed. 

A Splash of Color, One Art Exhibit After Another 

Dr. Parungao is no amateur artist as she’s had several art exhibits under her belt. Among many accolades, she has participated at Sacred Manifestation in 2016 and at Siklo Art Circle Gallery in 2019. All of these wouldn’t have been possible without curator and gallery owner, Kitten Alcantara, who is also Dr. Parungao’s godmother in the field of art.  

Ms. Alcantara ushered Dr. Parungao’s first solo art exhibit way back in 2009 at the UP Bahay ng Alumni. She highlighted how Ms. Alcantara’s biggest contribution to her was “channeling her emotions” to art. With the media covering her artwork from her first solo art exhibit, this helped in giving Dr. Parungao a “sense of validation.” 

“Nakakaadik ‘yung feeling, you know, [na] you’re doing something right—it feels great, ‘di lang good,” she added, while referencing Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs under reaching self-actualization. 

When the Art Stood Still 

Acknowledging that Dr. Parungao is a professor first and an artist second, life is “challenging” as she “balances both worlds.” As she teaches ethics, philosophy, and history, just to mention a few, she confessed how “’di mo maiwasan na, when you have been reading a lot about psychology, culture, sociology, society, and all that stuff, so talaga na-i-incorporate mo siya.” 

However, it has been quite some time since she released another obra maestra, with her latest art endeavor being framing an art piece for her boyfriend. Now, her current focus is on the world of academia—specifically, at San Beda University (SBU).  

A ‘Trivial’ Pursuit 

Pursuing one’s passion is not an easy feat; it takes a leap of faith–and Dr. Parungao took this next step. For her story as an artist, Ms. Alcantara’s mentorship pushed her to where she is right now. It has been 15 years since Dr. Parungao’s art debut, and yet, she’s still driven as ever to pursue such a passion.  

For the Bedan community, she shared that art is also about life’s journey. Therefore, she deems it important for us, Bedans, to widen our horizons and seek above and beyond the sky’s limit, emphasizing that “we have to keep on evolving.” After all, she argued that art is not just a medium for expression, but also a means of coping before life’s ambiguities.  

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Passion, though a bad regulator, is a powerful spring.” Given how the world has operated for the last hundred years, our passion will allow us to rise above the challenges we call life. 

Life is hard and challenging, but our passions will keep us afloat no matter what. Our passion for our families, parents, brothers, sisters, partners, and friends allows us to keep taking the blows of reality’s punches and kicks. So again, our dear reader, I encourage you to keep fighting the good fight, and keep the fire of your passions burning. 

(with Nathaniel Soriano and Jake Evangelista)