Ponce is a self-taught landscape artist who hails from Nagcarlan, Laguna. He is an electrical engineer by education and worked as one for several odd years. During this time, his work’s Garden Club was at its height, piquing Ponce’s interest in joining. He met garden enthusiasts who encouraged him to be a member— so he did. He simply got by selling equipment and fertilizer. Through the exposure of joining several gardening shows, he became more and more intrigued with the medium. In his own words, the first exhibit he joined was “a complete disaster,” as he was a novice. Through that experience, he vowed to do better. He then joined the Horticultural Society exhibit and won first prize. This win carried along to the Philippine Orchid Show and Fern Society Show wherein he won first place as well. He was handpicked to continue to be a garden designer, wherein he continuously succeeded and became a “hall-of-famer”.

The aspect of landscaping that intrigued Ponce the most was the creative freedom and the potential of discovery ingrained within the profession. Throughout his stages of growth, he has always loved art and decided that he would start painting when he retired. He takes pride in his artwork being “not by the book,” not constricted to one style or medium. He finds joy and excitement in discovering new effects that varying mediums have on his work. His continuous inspiration lies within self-discovery from improving and experimenting, one painting at a time. Painting is yet another outlet wherein Ponce expresses his boundless creativity, to be enjoyed by all.