Pancho Piano completed his degree in Economics in 1978, but his true calling was always in the arts. Even before finishing his studies, he was already exhibiting his paintings, holding solo shows in Naga City in 1977 and 1981. His talent was further recognized in 1984 when he became a scholar under Dean Jose Joya at the University of the Philippines, one of the country’s leading figures in modern art.
Since then, Piano has built an impressive career, with over thirty solo exhibitions to his name. His artistic journey also took him abroad, where he studied leather craft in Germany (1985), mural painting in Tomakachi, Japan (1985–86), and stained-glass in Palau. These experiences enriched his practice and allowed him to expand into large-scale works. To date, he has completed more than 150 murals and stained-glass commissions for municipal governments and churches across Bicol, making his art a visible part of the region’s cultural and spiritual landscape.
Art critic Santiago Pilar described Piano’s work as showing “dynamic movement through brushwork, line and color, rich texture, and light flashes resonating Bicolandia’s fiestas.” His paintings embody the vibrancy of Bicolano life, blending tradition with expressive modern techniques.
