Experience of design

Opportunities for experience seldom come especially in a student’s life. Thus, it’s best to grab every opportunity. Axel Que, a junior taking up Bachelor in Fine Arts, major in Product Design at the University of the Philippines Cebu did and deemed the experience as worth it.

                His journey with art started when he was young. It has been Axel’s first love even before college. He used to design costumes for events like festivals, programs and the like. Even in his childhood, he would sketch a lot and stack his works. After finishing high school, he was bound to follow his dreams of enrolling in a university that offered a bachelor degree in fine arts, a promise that he used to tell himself. He enrolled at the University of the Philippines even though he didn’t have theories to back him up, only experience.

                Several months into his degree program, he began to understand slowly the basics of design. With this knowledge and his experience, he easily ranked top of his class. “Axel is very diligent in class,” says his classmate Kenneth Gallardo. “Even if our projects are hard, he always does his best to come up with the most outstanding design.”

                Last summer, he was invited by world-renowned designer Mr. Kenneth Coponbue to work for him for two months. Not for allowance nor for grades but for the worthwhile experience. “I got to glimpse the real world and how designers really work,” he commented.

                It all started during their second semestral exhibit of school year 2010-2011 at the University of the Philippines - Cebu. Coponbue, a critic of the said event, scrutinized his works on his table and invited him for a two-month internship in his office at the Interior Crafts of the Islands with a group of professional designers. He said yes, of course, without hesitation. Yet, he didn’t know what to expect in mind.

                His stay inside the office wasn’t easy as a design course. “This was a totally different world,” he said. “There were deadlines to meet and the entire process of designing a product was very tedious. It would take the company weeks and even months to finish one. I was really pressured.” However, all his efforts paid off when he was able to spearhead a design of a cabinet and a planter’s box.

                On the other hand, he was able to learn a lot from it and he wouldn’t trade that for anything else. He said that all the things he learned in school prepared him to face the two-month experience. “Inside, I knew how to innovate, to think out of the box and to make variations of a simple sketch.”

                 He dreams of being a top fashion designer in a few years from now, adding that his background on product design would take his career up a notch. For the past three years, he has designed gowns for school fashion shows and has spoken to design students from other universities. To date, he is still designing gowns for fashion shows (both in and out of the campus) apart from being a student.

                His field of expertise may be a bit difficult. But for Axel, nothing is impossible. As UP Fine Arts students would say, “Imadyina ang Impossible” (Imagine the impossible). His secrets are to keep on hanging to the inspiration of continuing his art and researching what’s the latest. “At times we want to give up but I’m telling you don’t. Saying ‘I can’t go on’ are just words but your actions can still go further,” he said as an advice to students like him.

                So if there are opportunities knocking on you right now, go for it. You might be in for the experience of a lifetime.

Out of the rain

Ever since popstar Sheryn Regis won her title a few years back, her revive of "Come in out of the rain" has been a hit in the market. Maybe so because she's pretty (?) and talented (hell yeah) but maybe a million people could relate to it. It's catchy chorus makes it a prospect tune for singing contests and karaoke moments.

You told me, that you loved me
If I ever change, welcome me into your arms again
Come on in out of rain
There's a place, in  your heart to love me again
happiness and joy you bring
when you call my name
Come on in out of the rain


Sheryn started making hits when she was still in college down at a local hotel restobar. She was also part of the CNU Chorale, one of the best chorales in Cebu and the whole world. They have made it to competitions worldwide and concerts with other outstanding chorales such as UV chorale, UE choir and a lot more. Truly, her heart was in for music despite her being an English Major.



So I close my stressful week with a heavy dramatic song from a world-class singer from Cebu Normal University, my alma matter. Kudos CNU, for producing such talents!

exasperated

Deadlines. Meetings. Appointments. Engagements. Exams. Quizzes. Reports. Assignments. Death.

Typical for a student's life isn't it? Especially for one who is in UP, I bet this isn't unusual. We're always bombarded with schoolwork and the demands of the different organizations both useful and non-useful. I've been there, exasperated? Yes, we've all been. According to a dictionary source, this means being in the state of being greatly annoyed. 

I remember when I used to have classmates who always keep on pushing their noses up against me as if I can spread the hottest talk in town. Living a papazzi-ed life? Not so much. But talk, definitely. Annoying as it may seem, people would always bug you, trample on you just to get their ways.

In the current state that I am in, I can't decipher which of which can be the true origin of this feeling. It's like one's inner soul is being stretched out for everyone to benefit and it is tiring. Those times when you don't really know which one to put down first or set aside. 

If I were given the chance to trance away, I would. But chances are chances, there's really nothing much we can do about it. Maybe to feel exasperated, exhausted and all the negative auras in the world. Keep refreshed! Tried it an it worked! That's typical for a student too. :)

Something real

"Aren't I lovely? Do you want me? Coz I am desperate, for something that would make me real."

Those lines from a contemporary christian song kept bothering me over the weekend. Not because I was in the position from the lyrical context of the song, but someone close to me was on my mind. I kept humming the song's melody and most of my friends felt the same thing. "Where is she now?", we all asked in unison. Who knows. We kept on praying for her, never in the world did we thought it'd end up like that.

For me it wasn't something real. I was in denial, a stage that would haunt me for the longest time. Maybe it's just a phase, I would often tell myself. But the more I do, the more I can feel the touch of reality that nothing's going to happen. Most of us are certain about how we think, not knowing the truth behind every thought.

Maybe it's an issue of letting go and moving on. We all want something real in our lives. Something to hold on to until we can still do. And it's an issue of having to grow. In this christian world, we all need maturity and indeed it takes a lot of time. We don't hold the future no matter how certain we may be.

Why we fight

People always get in the way of what we want. A simple nudge and snob sparks the entire flame resulting to anger. We tend to judge, assume and presuppose without really being certain of what is not. We fight, yes we do. I can't seem to find a concrete reason why but it has brought a lot of meaning to a relationship.


I remember a quote from my speech class which I'm currently taking up, "Cold fights are the worse of all the arguments. It's better when they are shouting at each other, at least you know what's in their mind". I may have to agree but I still cannot find a point for fighting.

Some say we fight to get it our way. Some say we fight because it allows the other party to know that they lack and what they should change. Or simply put, they tend to explain the fights make the bond stronger. Experience wise, I can say I've been through a lot of so-called fights and misunderstandings that led me to no where. I hurt myself and rocked myself to tears. However, my scope of the whole perspective has changed setting me on a higher pedestal than the rest.

So mind you, if you are in a brawl, a quarrel or a petty fight, make a wise decision to stay rather than standing up on what's supposed to be fixed. It's hard to understand but a step cannot be skipped in a cycle. Wherever you may be, there are always difficult people to encounter along the way but with the courage to stand up against every kind of fight we are bound to shine amongst the rest. The society needs people with determination and with this, we might change a wee bit of it step by step.

What was left behind

Being a sophomore does not mean a lot. Sure, I've been in these halls for more than twelve months or so but what is it to me. I do not know the past nor the future of this known institution. Sitting upon an old office with tons of back issues by the the official school publication, I realized there is still much to know.

Fidgeting on what was scattered all over the place I took notice of how the students of the past showed their enthusiasm on school. Contrary to the apathy of what is of today, they were involved in everything - from issues to political party conflicts even up to outside forces that have concerned the school. Yet here we are left with nothing but a mere office loaded with a heap of old newspapers and maybe a couple of other things which can be deemed useful. 

I then wonder on what has been left behind by the previous batches who has stepped forth in the institution. They have produced such quality yet what has happened? I do not know what or who to blame nor do I want to. The times have changed and technology has taken over attention of what has seemed to be useless for some. There is so much to do and a span of time. Lucky for me, I still have more or less three years left to spare in this institution. Maybe we cannot really rely on the past after all but we can learn from them. Their mistakes, their failures, their triumphs and success. So I write without any hesitation that a left publication would come to life again. What was once strong and colorful will be alive again, tug-ani will rise again. :)

Birthday Greeting

So much has passed. Yes, within a span of six years this woman has grown. Back when we were still in junior youth camp where we were short and young, we felt like we knew everything. It was as if we were only there for the fun, for the adventure. More than that, we were expected to learn about life. I did, I don't know with the rest. Even found a friend, never thought she'd turn out to be one of the best. 

2006 JY Camp

Few years passed and it was just a typical hi hello over the internet. Constant travel to her hometown never really made us close, well maybe a bit. It took another powerful camp to pull the bonds much closer. By the time I was a senior in high school, I came to discover the woman whom I have journeyed learning with.

2009 Youth Camp

She was a friend, even more like a sister. Set apart from those I have treated the same with. What I admired was her patience, her persistence, her determination. I lost a few steps, back tracked a bit and got entranced with the big walls of college. I sheepishly took for granted our precious friendship which we've spent so much on to cultivate and grow. However, what seemed to be gone still persisted. I thought I'd lost her then and there, but she still remain and I know from what she has shown, I will too.

Her visit during my highschool graduation

And now that she's turning a year old when the clock says it's already time for her to do so (not on her own discretion of course haha) there's nothing more to wish for her but the will of the Lord to be fervently followed by her. Things may not be the same as when we were once young but I definitely know that we can always more forward, or fly for the very least. May she be blessed in all her endeavors in life. Lord knows I love this woman even I'm the meanest person in the world. nineteen years of existence, nineteen years of struggle, pain and happiness. Life truly isn't what we always wish for, but we can always adhere to what the heavens may be asking from us.

For all the laughters, tears, stories and endless chikkas, you deserve a blast!

 Happy Birthday, manay, Angel Rubio. You are always loved. Enjoy Cebu!