Two Diwata paintings, a 48” x 36” acrylic on canvas, were painted by the father of Imaginative Figurism, Angono-based Master painter and sculptor Nemi Miranda last 2017. 

The first “Diwata” is a garden fairy performing a flower dance. The second painting, “Diwata II,” is also a fairy but not a garden fairy;  instead, it looks like a mythical rice harvest creature holding a grain bundle while flying into the skies.

The mysterious thing about these Diwata paintings that were painted seven years ago is the two Diwatas look like Vice President Sara Duterte, whom Miranda admits to meeting for the first time on the day of his 2024 grand exhibit. 

The master chose me to be the emcee of the ribbon-cutting of his exhibit with the vice president of the Philippines as his guest of honor, so I had to ask Miranda if he really painted both Diwatas with the image of Inday Sara, who at that time was serving her first term as Mayor of Davao. “To be honest, my students and volunteers pointed out to me that I had two paintings that looked like Vice President Inday Sara Duterte. They figured it was a sign that I invited her to be my guest of honor in my exhibit. I told them I had always been a fan of VP Inday Sara ever since she was the mayor of  Davao City, especially when she protected several families during a settler demolition in Davao City. But I also told them that I am just a simple man and do not know the vice president of the Philippines personally. But my head volunteer, Dra. Geraldine Martens (Ph.D.) was persistent and said she would try to write a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Education and pray that VP Inday Sara is available and agrees to cut the ribbon and give a speech as the guest of honor since the proceeds of the paintings will go to the construction of a school for gifted children in Angono, Rizal.” Master Nemi told me while we were admiring his Diwata paintings. 

I showed the master an article by Katherine Hurst in lawofattraction.com, and she says, “Literally painting a picture of how you dream your life can help you clarify your goals... Additionally, using your creative brain can help you connect with the mental state you need to allow manifestation to occur!”

As it turns out, the VP and DepEd secretary was also a fan of visual art, particularly Miranda’s paintings, and agreed not only to be the guest of honor in Miranda’s 2024 exhibit at the One Ayala but also to write a message for Miranda’s 2024 Artbook of his works through the years. In his book, our DepEd Secretary writes. “ It is an honor to witness your works that remind us of the beauty of our culture, heritage, and history, and I am deeply inspired by your singular heart to create an impactful message of hope from your art.” 

Miranda planned to give his Diwata Paintings to the beautiful DepEd Secretary, but she politely turned down the gift as public servants must adhere to the “no gift policy." Republic Act 6713 Section 7 (d) of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees states that “Public officials and employees shall not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties.” The Diwata paintings (48’ x 36x) valued at P1.3 million are currently exhibited at the 6^th floor KMC Solutions Display Area, One Ayala, Makati City.