Bernardo Balagtas was born to a family of artists from Angono, Rizal in 1972. His love of the art had been evident even in his younger years when he consecutively won the Angono Ateliers Association Annual Competition from 1985-1989 and other art competitions as well such as the Metrobank National Competition, Shell National Student Art Competition, and PLDT Cover Directory Competition whilst being a student. He attended primary and secondary school in Angono and decided to study in the University of the Philippines (Diliman), College of Fine Arts, from 1990-1994, where he was a government scholar serving as a Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman at Barangay Kalayaan, Angono, Rizal. His talent and his wit were honed and furthered in the university where he had not only been an art scholar, College of Fine Arts Alumni Scholar; and Eduardo Castillo Scholar to name a few, but also a University Scholar (with GWA 1.45-1.0)

 

Bernie's roster of awards and achievements as an artist shows how exemplary and diversity can define an artist such as him. His masterpieces were showcased in his various Solo Art Exhibitions such as "Displacement" in 2016 at Artologist Gallery in San Juan City; Graces in Motion in Artologist Shangri-La Plaza (2021); Grand Opening of Balagtas Gallerie (2021); Displacements 2 at Balagtas Gallerie (2022); Galleria Perlita (2022) at Eastridge Angono, Rizal and also, in various Group Exhibitions such as Homebound at CCP Main Theater Building (2016-2017); Basic at CPV Business Center (2018); [ART]ernative at SM Center Angono (2018); Under Construction in Rockwell Makati (2019); Different Strokes at Angono Art Walk in SM Angono (2018); Tribute: Lito Balagtas Legacy at Balagtas Gallerie (2021); Bigay Pugay at SM Angono Artwalk (2021); Ateliers to the Max at Max’s Binangonan (2021); Continue at Gallery 2, Giant Dwarf Art Space (2021); Silangan: The ART EASTory at Angkla Art Gallery (2021); Random Thoughts at L2 Unimart, Capitol Commons (2021); From Petroglyphs to Art Capital at Balagtas Gallerie (2022); and Angono: Angking Yaman (2022).