Juan Senson’s ‘Baptism of Jesus’ painting was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Clement in Angono, Rizal, on December 14, 2024.

National Commission for Culture and the Arts chairman Victorino Manalo and Bishop of Antipolo +Ruperto Cruz Santos D.D unveils the plaque signifying Juan Senson’s ‘Baptism of Jesus’ as a National Cultural Treasure.

Believed to be one of Senson’s later works, the ‘Baptism of Jesus’ painting has two renditions, one of which is housed at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned in Marikina City.

Painted on a simple tin sheet and restored by Jose ‘Pitok’ Blanco in the 1980s, the artwork shows minimal signs of overpainting, suggesting that it remains largely intact. However, the restoration process was not fully documented.

A petition was filed by the Angono church, led by parish priest Fr. Eymard Balatbat, for Senson’s painting to be declared a National Cultural Treasure. The petition emphasized that the piece “illustrates the creativity and mastery of [the] medium of 19th- to early 20th-century Filipino painters.” The artwork’s national significance was further supported by educator and author James Owen Saguinsin.
The historic declaration and unveiling stand as a testament to Angono’s rich history, religious devotion, and artistic heritage.

For more information on this press release, contact Mr. Rene S. Napeñas, Head of the Public Affairs and Information Office, at pais@ncca.gov.ph or 0945 788 5698. Visit www.ncca.gov.ph or follow the Facebook page @NCCAOfficial.