Jun Sergio Rocha (b. 1956) took up BS Chemistry at the Manila Central University. His love for visual arts, however, took him to another direction. In 1989, Rocha took up watercolor painting at the American Academy of Arts and oil painting at the School of Art Institute of Chicago. He became a member of the Palette and Chisel Art Academy and the Plein Art Painters of Chicago. In 2002, he received an Outstanding Community Artist Award from the City Mayor of Chicago.  After more than two decades abroad, Rocha came back to his native Philippines where he continues to showcase his talent for the arts.