Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____________ 
Introduced by HON. YSABEL MARIA J. ZAMORA 
and HON. AMPARO MARIA J. ZAMORA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill was re-filed in January 2020 by Hon. Ronaldo B. Zamora, under the 18th 
Congress. Unfortunately, the onset of the Covid-19 Pandemic prevented its consideration and 
approval. Thus, today, under the new 19th Congress, these Representations, both staunch 
believers in the Arts and in the world-class talent and artistry of the Filipino, are re-introducing 
this measure. The goal is to grant Philippine citizenship to Juvenal Sanso, a Master Painter 
born in Spain, but has spent most of his life here in the Philippines. 
Juvenal Sanso first came to the Philippines in 1934 with his father, when he was just 
four years of age. He took his first art lessons under Alejandro Celis in the years following the 
Second World War, initially for their family-owned wrought-iron business. But in view of his 
newfound interest and inclination to painting, he prompted his father to enroll him at the 
University of the Philippines School of Fine Arts, for more formal lessons in the art. He 
received tutelage from a number of renowned artists, including Fernando Amorsolo, Guillermo 
Tolentino, Dominador Castañeda, Torribio Herrera and Ireneo Miranda. He also took special 
classes at the University of Santo Tomas. 
In March 1951, Sanso joined the annual exhibit of the Art Association of the 
Philippines. His entry, an oil painting entitled “The Sorcerer,” won first prize. For the first time, 
he was officially hailed an artist. Later that year, he won first prize for his water-color work, 
“Incubus.” His professor, Antonio Garcia Llamas, advised Sanso to go to Europe. In 1952, he 
took formal lessons in Rome and Paris. 
Juvenal Sanso gained recognition in different parts of the globe not just for himself, but 
for the Philippines as well. Many of his pieces depict Filipino themes and scenes, including 
those in the “Baclad,” “Barong Tagalog,” and “Bulaklak” series. He was cited “Artist of the 
Year” by the Cleveland Print Club. His work, “Moonglow,” was also chosen as “Print of the 
Year” by the Philadelphia Print Club.  
Sanso has had exhibits in many capitals of the world. His pieces had been acquired by 
major museums and private collectors worldwide. All recognitions that Sanso gained abroad 
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always traced him back to the Philippines. No wonder Filipino artists and critics always refer 
to Sanso as “Spanish by birth, but Filipino at heart.” The Philippines was, and will always be, 
in Sanso’s heart even when he lived abroad. He spent two to three months a year in Manila. 
But in 2002, Sanso decided to retire and live permanently in the Philippines. He is registered 
with the Philippine Retirement Authority. 
Juvenal Sanso is now a nonagenarian. He maintains his endeavor and commitment to 
provide scholarships to promising Filipino art students. Through his membership with the UP 
College of Fine Arts Alumni Foundation, he has helped in making available valuable works of 
art to the public. He was a volunteer mentor to art students in the Shell National Artist 
competitions. In 2015, upon his guidance and generous support, the Fundacion Sanso (Sanso 
Museum) was established in the City of San Juan. 
We earnestly urge all of our honorable Colleagues in the current 19th Congress to 
consider and approve this bill with dispatch. Please allow these Representations to note, finally, 
that this proposal had been filed and approved on Third Reading in the 14th and 16th Congresses, 
authored then by Hon. Del de Guzman in the 14th Congress, and Hon. Neptali M. Gonzales II, 
Hon. Josephine Veronique Lacson-Noel, and Hon. Victoria Noel in the 16th Congress. Please 
accept our deepest appreciation, in anticipation of your favorable consideration of this 
proposal. 
YSABEL MARIA J. ZAMORA 
AMPARO MARIA J. ZAMORA 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____________ 
Introduced by HON. YSABEL MARIA J. ZAMORA 
and HON. AMPARO MARIA J. ZAMORA 
AN ACT 
GRANTING PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP TO JUVENAL SANSO 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled; 
SECTION 1. Juvenal Sanso is hereby granted Philippine Citizenship with all the rights, 
privileges and prerogatives, as well as the duties and obligations appurtenant thereto and with 
the same effects and subject to the same conditions as provided under the Constitution. 
SECTION 2. Upon the taking and registration of the Oath of Allegiance to the Republic of 
the Philippines before the Bureau of Immigration and the issuance of the Certificate of 
Naturalization, Juvenal Sanso shall enter upon the full enjoyment of Philippine citizenship. 
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official 
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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