Written by Michelle P Ranges | Photographs courtesy of Jenny Marsha Agtani and Norman D. Patiang
In a city where mist settles gently over pine trees, and creativity moves with the rhythm of mountain life, Jenny Marsha Agtani has built a life shaped by color, resilience, teaching, and art. A local Baguio artist and faculty member of the School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts at the University of Baguio, Agtani stands at the intersection of two powerful callings: creating art and nurturing others’ creative potential.
Her art comes from a lifelong love of drawing, shaped by challenges and change. “Drawing has been my greatest passion since childhood,” she says. Growing up during the “golden age” of Tagalog and English comics, she dreamed of becoming a comic book illustrator and writer. She later studied engineering, where she learned “resilience and perseverance,” then moved on to Political Science, fashion illustration, and finally teaching. Each step helped her develop her artistic skills, discipline, and appreciation for creativity.
Photo credit: Norman D. Patiang.
Art was part of her identity even before she became an educator. Agtani remembers “scribbling and drawing on the walls of our house,” or “puro drawing sa wall.” Encouraged by teachers and family, she joined poster-making and editorial cartooning contests in grade school. At fifteen, she received her first set of oil paints and learned through “constant practice and experimentation.” Later, joining the Baguio Arts Guild Inc. connected her to local artists, exhibitions, and Baguio’s creative community.
Today, Agtani’s art is known for its color, reflection, and honesty. She still tries new subjects, but some themes always come back. “Love, self-reflection, and the pursuit of happiness remain central to my artistic practice,” she says. These ideas show up in her “vibrant and expressive palette,” where color is more than just decoration. In her paintings, color expresses “emotion, optimism, and the richness of human experience.” Her words, “I love making colorful artworks!!!” capture the excitement she brings to her art.
As a faculty member at UB STELA, Agtani brings her real-life art experience into her Art Appreciation classes. She does more than talk about art as theory or history. She teaches from her own journey, creating, experimenting, showing her work, taking feedback, and always learning. This helps students see art as something personal and alive, tied to their own memories, identity, discipline, happiness, and
determination.
For Agtani, painting and teaching complement each other. “Both painting and teaching share the same fundamental principle: the pursuit of excellence through wholehearted commitment,” she explains. “Each relies on imagination, experimentation, and critical engagement, allowing one to inform and enrich the other.” Being a teacher helps her grow as an artist, and being an artist shapes how she teaches. When things get tough, she turns the classroom into a creative space where students learn to appreciate art and discover their own ability to express themselves.
One story from her Art Appreciation class shows this impact. Agtani remembers a student who found out he could paint only after taking her course. With support from her and his classmates, he kept practicing, even when he was unsure at first. Over time, he gained confidence and eventually became an artist himself, now showing his work in his home province. For Agtani, this proves what one of her professors taught her: “The true purpose of education is to discover and cultivate human potential.”
Her work also supports the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 4: Quality Education. By teaching, Agtani helps students develop creativity, confidence, discipline, and a love for the arts. She believes “every meaningful endeavor deserves one’s full commitment,” and tells students to “always give your 100 percent.” In this way, Art Appreciation becomes an experience that builds character, perseverance, and creativity.
Her contribution also supports SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. As an artist rooted in Baguio, Agtani helps sustain the city’s cultural and creative identity. Through exhibitions, participation in local art circles, and engagement with fellow artists, she strengthens the community that keeps Baguio’s visual arts alive. Her presence in the local scene shows that artists contribute not only by producing works but also by mentoring others, sharing knowledge, and preserving the city’s creative spirit.
Baguio itself remains central to her artistic identity. “I consider myself fortunate to have been born and raised in Baguio City,” she says. The city’s “slower rhythm, quiet landscapes, and serene atmosphere” foster reflection and creativity. As a cultural melting pot of the Cordillera, Baguio continues to shape her worldview and artistic voice. Her work, teaching, and community involvement reflect the city’s identity as a Creative City, where culture is integral to how people learn, connect, and grow.
Balancing teaching and art are challenging. Agtani says teaching is “both deeply rewarding and profoundly demanding,” and it takes physical, emotional, and mental strength. When things get tough, art is her safe space. Creating gives her “a space for reflection, renewal, and self-expression,” helping her keep her passion for both art and teaching.
Through her colorful works, her teaching at UB, and her continued engagement with Baguio’s art community, Jenny Marsha Agtani shows how creativity can become a form of service. Her story is about helping students discover their potential, contributing to sustainable creative communities, and keeping Baguio’s artistic spirit alive—one brushstroke, one class, and one inspired learner at a time.
