Text and photos by Monsi A Serrano
As a boy, Josso Baldera dreamed of the sea. He imagined himself steering ships across vast oceans, chasing horizons, and learning from every port of call. The open water called to him like destiny.
But fate had other plans.
The sudden death of his father brought that dream crashing down. Forced to give up maritime school and work for survival, Josso found himself adrift—grieving, uncertain, and searching for purpose. In those silent, solitary hours, he turned to his hands. He picked up a tool. He carved. And in doing so, he unearthed a gift he never knew he had.
“Hindi ko alam na marunong pala ako (I didn’t know I had it in me),” he recalls. “My dream was to become a seaman, but God gave me another sea to navigate—the sea of creativity.”
From the ashes of loss came a life redirected—not toward the sea, but toward sculpture. What began as a detour became his destination.
Now based in Navotas City, Josso Baldera has handcrafted more than 400 pieces over the last decade—each one rooted in Filipino culture, faith, and memory. His works, showcased recently in “Crafted Visions by Josso Baldera” at Belmont Hotel Manila’s 5th Hiraya Art Exhibit, are deeply personal yet universally resonant.
One of his earliest sculptures was a gift to his wife, the woman he credits as his guiding star. “She’s my compass,” he says. “Everything I make, whether it’s for a client or myself, I make sure that it carries love, memory, and Filipino soul. This is my way of showing gratitude to my wife, to God, and to showcase our rich Filipino culture.”
From cherry blossoms and blooming orchids to saranggola flying in the wind, Lady Justice tributes, and serene Sunday fishing scenes, Baldera’s creations speak of everyday joys, quiet strength, and a heritage that endures.
“Our advocacy is to promote not just local artists, but the rich culture their work represents,” shared a Belmont Hotel Manila spokesperson. “Josso is not only talented—he’s deeply Filipino in every sense.”
Despite having no formal training, Baldera is now a sought-after artist, shaping wood and metal with precision and care, pouring life into every curve and cut. Yet his message to young artists remains grounded:
“If you want to be an artist, give it everything. Walang lugar ang tamad dito (There’s no place for laziness here).”
Where once he dreamed of oceans, Josso Baldera now sails a sea of imagination. His compass is love. His vessel, art. And with every sculpture, he charts a path that carves not just wood or metal—but a legacy of Filipino identity, one heartfelt piece at a time.
