The Raw, Unfiltered Beauty of Berong: Pasig’s Resourceful Master of Impasto

In a world where fine art is often gatekept by expensive canvases, fine camel-hair brushes, and imported pigment tubes, 54-year-old Marlito Miranda proves that true artistic vision requires none of the above.

 Known in local art circles simply as BERONG, this Pasig-based portraitist and visual artist has captured hearts with a raw, expressive style born out of sheer resourcefulness and an undeniable calling.

An Undiscovered Gift Born from Necessity

Berong only recently unlocked his gift for painting, but his approach carries the conviction of a seasoned hand. Living in poverty, he faces daily financial hurdles that make traditional art supplies an impossible luxury. Rather than letting scarcity stall his creativity, Berong turned his immediate environment into his studio and dumpster diving into his supply run.

His palette is a patchwork of whatever medium he can get his hands on:

Repurposed Paints: Leftover house latex, poster colors, student-grade acrylics, and industrial primers gifted by friends or scavenged from neighborhood garbage discarded near Pasig streets.

Found Canvases: Scraps of salvaged plywood, discarded cardboard boxes, and recycled wood panels.

The Aesthetics: Tactile, Expressive, and Unapologetic

Despite using everyday, non-traditional materials, Berong’s output is far from crude. His floral and portrait works lean heavily into a post-impressionist, folk-expressionist language reminiscent of Vincent van Gogh.

Thick Impasto Texture: He applies paint with heavy, energetic confidence, leaving bold ridges that give his flowers and vessels a tangible, sculpted dimension.

Vibrant High-Contrast Palettes: His signature work often pairs vivid teals and deep cobalt blues with crisp whites and warm yellow-ochres, creating instantly striking visual harmony.

Graphic Line Work: Heavy outlines in deep indigo and dark blue anchor his forms, giving his compositions a strong rhythm and graphic soul.

Why Collectors Are Taking Notice

What makes Berong’s work magnetic to local art enthusiasts and collectors is its absolute authenticity.

 There is no pretension in his brushstrokes—only an urgent, joyous impulse to create. Every canvas carries a story of survival, ingenuity, and pure aesthetic passion.

Berong’s journey is a reminder that art doesn't live in high-end stores; it lives in the human spirit. Through discarded materials and an unyielding drive, Marlito "Berong" Miranda transforms everyday trash into timeless, soulful beauty.