B orn in the Bicol Region of the Philippines, Niña graduated from     the University of the Philippines and attended post-graduate programs at the George Washington University (Washington, DC) and L’Institut de Francais (Villefranche-sur-Mer, France). Upon her retirement in 2000 after a rewarding career in human resources with an international financial institution based in Washington, DC, she took up photography and learned to love it. Since then, Niña has undertaken 8 solo and 10 juried group exhibits in Washington, DC and in New York. She has also been the recipient of numerous awards for her photographic works: • 1st Place, Best Black&White Print, Juried International Photographic Society Annual Exhibit (Washington, DC ), May 01 • 2nd Place, Rookie of the Year, International Photographic Society (Washington, DC), Season 2000-2001 • 2nd Place, Photographer of the Year, International Photographic Society (Washington, DC) Season 2001-2002 • 1st Place, Photographer of the Year, International Photographic Society (Washington, DC) Season 2002-2003 • 1st Place, Best Black&White Print, Juried International Photographic Society Annual Exhibit (Washington, DC), May 03 • 1st Place, Best Photograph of the Year (Black&White), International Photographic Society (Washington,DC), Jun 03 • 1st Place, Best Photograph of the Year (Color), International Photographic Society (Washington, DC), June 03