NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. No. 1357
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of tlip
*22 SEP 29 P4 43
RECEIVtDBV;
Introduced by Sen. Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT
GRANTING PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP TO JUVENAL SANSO
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill seeks to grant Philippine citizenship in deference to his rich cultural 
contributions that have made the Philippines a vigorous artistic community, especially 
in the art of painting.
Inspired by the likes of Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, two Filipino 
painters recognized in Europe, it is submitted that Philippine citizenship be accorded 
to a foreign national artistic painter whose heart has always been a Filipino - Master 
Painter Juvenal Sanso.
Juvenal Sanso came to the Philippines in 1934 when his father, Jose Sanso-Pedret 
decided to settle in the Philippines. He was four years old. He received his first art 
lesson from Alejandro Cells, one of the first graduates of the University of the 
Philippines (U.P.) School of Fine Arts, who introduced the young Juvenal to a whole 
universe. He later enrolled at the U.P. School of Fine Arts. His art professors were 
Fernando Amorsolo, Guillermo Tolentino, Dominador Castaneda, Torribio Herrera and 
Ireneo Miranda. It was in U.P. where Sanso found himself totally committed to art.
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 and for 
the first time he was considered an artist. Later that year, he won first prize in 
watercolor for a work entitled "Incubus." His professor Antonio Garcia Llamas advised 
Sanso to go to Europe if he was serious about a career in art. Sanso departed for 
Europe in 1952 where he took formal art lessons in Rome and Paris.
Juvenal Sanso made a name for himself in different parts of the globe but the 
Philippines, his home country, always had a special place in his heart. His painting 
depicted themes and scenes of the Philippines such as his "Baclad," "Barong Tagalog" 
and "Bulaklak" series. He was cited "Artist of the Year" by the Cleveland Print Club. 
His work entitled "Moonglow" was chosen as "Print of the Year" by the Philadelphia 
Print Club. Sanso exhibited his works in all the capitals of the world. His paintings 
were acquired by major museums and private collectors worldwide. All the 
recognitions he received abroad always traced him back to the Philippines. Filipino 
artists and critics refer to Sanso as "Spanish by birth but Filipino at heart." The 
Philippines was and is always in Sanso's heart even when he lived abroad. He spent 
two to three months a year in Manila. In 2002, Sanso decided to retire and live 
permanently in the Philippines. He registered with the Philippine Retirement 
Authority.


Part of his many continuing commitments to his beioved country, the Philippines, 
was to give scholarships to promising Filipino art students. Through his membership 
with the U.P. College of Fine Arts Alumni Foundation he 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 view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
-'TT>>S
Senate
o( tijf S’l'ci ftarp
•22 SEP 29 P4 ^3
SENATE 
S.B. No.
RECEIVLOBV
Introduced by Sen. Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT
GRANTING PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP TO JUVENAL SANSO
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Mr. Juvenal Sanso is hereby granted Philippine citizenship with
2 
all the rights, privileges and prerogatives, as well as the duties and obligations
3 
appurtenant thereto under the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of the
4 
Philippines.
5 
Sec. 2. Upon taking his Oath of Allegiance before an officer duly authorized
6 
for this purpose, and the registration of the same with the Bureau of Immigration,
7 
Mr. Juvenal Sanso shall enter upon the full enjoyment of his Philippine citizenship.
8 
Sec. 3. Upon registration of the Oath of Allegiance, the Bureau of
9 
Immigration shall issue Mr. Juvenal Sanso his Certificate of Naturalization.
10 
Sec. 4. This Act shall take effect immediately upon publication in at least
11 
two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,