Here’s the story on my experience working for a magazine.

Growing up, I have always had different ideas of what I wanted to become. I was always into fashion and the arts as a young kid. The shows I would watch were interior decorating shows, shows involving styling clothes, traveling, and the like. At a young age, I had a mindset that I wanted to experience working for a magazine. I have always imagined myself working in a magazine as an intern. As far as dreams go, I thought about it, but I have never expected it to actually happen.

The two weeks working in Art+ Magazine taught me things I wouldn’t be able to learn in the classroom. Working fast-paced and doing multiple jobs with a deadline was a struggle but I managed to work through it all and send in the best of what I can possibly do.

Aside from that, being able to experience having an actual “job” gave me the sense of realization about the real world. It was a struggle to go to the location because it was farther than what I’m used to doing on a daily basis. I was also taught that I will encounter different types of people along the way, and being shy is not an option. In that industry, we sooner or later have to thicken our skin if we want the best for ourselves and our company.

I never saw myself as a writer. As I entered this job I honestly expected less than what I was given. I came in with no idea of what’s to come. The experience to write articles for the magazine got me nervous and excited. I never saw myself as a good writer, and knowing that a lot of people would read my works got me scared. The feeling of having something you have made published is a nice feeling of accomplishment.

All in all, this whole experience was a memorable one for sure. It was like a breath of fresh air to be given freedom and to be able to work alongside people who have been doing this profession for years, and for that I have immense respect for them.

1. “Wood Things” by Luis “Junyee” Yee Jr. (Metropolitan Museum)

The Metropolitan Museum located on Roxas Boulevard stands as a home for both old and new Philippine contemporary artworks. You can clearly see the progression of the interest of Filipino artists through the different types of media seen in this museum. From the various selection of artworks, it was hard to choose just one piece that stood out. If you have entomophobia (fear of insects) brace yourselves because Luis “Junyee” Yee Jr.’s “Wood Things” can be found here. Using dried banana leaves, dried banana stock, and a pod from a Kapok tree, he surely mastered the illusion of scattered bugs that just by looking at it, the hair on the back of your neck might stand up!

2. “Spolarium” by Juan Luna (National Museum of Fine Arts)

If you grew up in the Philippines, chances are you’ve heard your previous art and history teachers talk about “Spolarium” a few times. This painting created by Juan Luna is one of the most famous pieces here in the Pearl of the East. After hearing about it countless times, you can see this grand piece for yourself in the National Museum of Fine Arts which can be found in Ermita, Manila. This painting which shows waiting spectators and dying gladiators is also the largest in the Philippines with a whopping size of 4.22 meters x 7.68 meters.

3. “The Diorama Experience” (Ayala Museum)

The Ayala Museum located in Makati is known for their exhibits which greatly presents Filipino art, culture, and history. Since its completion in 1973, “The Diorama Experience” is one of the most renowned attractions you can find. This exhibit is a visual narrative created from woodcarvings and miniature paintings that perfectly depicts sixty major events in the Philippine History ranging from the prehistoric times to the People Power Revolution. This exhibit was highly enjoyed by the both children and adults that the Ayala Museum recently uploaded 15 selected dioramas that can be viewed online in participation of the Google Art Project.

4. “The Fruit Gatherer” by Fernando Amorsolo (Vargas Museum)

If this painting seems familiar to you, chances are you’ve seen a meme using this portrait pop up on your Facebook or Twitter wall. “The Fruit Gatherer” created by one of the most famous and important artists in Philippine history- Fernando Amorsolo, can be found in Jorge B. Vargas Museum and Filipiniana Research Center in the University of the Philippines Diliman campus. This painting of a woman holding a bilao of fruits under a tree shows Amorsolo’s conception of Filipina beauty.

5. “España y Filipinas” by Juan Luna(Lopez Memorial Art Museum)

The Lopez Memorial Art Museum and Library in Pasig is the oldest privately owned museum and library that specializes in Philippine material. Another historical and iconic painting of Luna hits this list with “España y Filipinas.” This was the famous portrait which caused Jose Rizal to accuse Juan Luna of being a “Hispanophile” saying that he[Luna] was never able to create a painting against the Spaniards. The painting thattranslates to “Spain and the Philippines” represents Spain leading the Philippines to progression and development. 

Richard Tuason is known for his astonishing art pieces and talent in creating artworks through the use of the different forms of media. From building sculptures with the use of random materials such as piano parts, old doorknobs, and scraps of wood, to painting contemporary pieces using oil on canvas and sometimes even through charcoal; it is no doubt that Richard Tuason is one that can make staggering artworks through whatever can be found- including a simple ballpoint pen and paper.

A little over a year ago success was conferred with his previous art gallery in Art Underground Manila entitled “Temporary Art” which showed various contemporary art pieces representing an audience’s perception of art under the influence of media. His pieces were mainly formed by the use of ballpoint pens. A year later, Richard Tuason opens a new gallery in Art Underground entitled “Alpha.” Alpha is way for Tuason to communicate the need to see how animals are remarkable in their own habitats in order to understand how amazing the Earth is without the damage formed by human effect. It is important for the audience to see animals the way he sees them- as valuable creatures.

Just like the pieces in Temporary Art, the main medium used for the artworks put up in Alpha are a ballpoint pen and paper. Contrary to the previous contemporary works Richard Tuason has created, these pieces are far more realistic with each detail carefully put together. Portraying images of different species and kinds of animals, one may notice that the titles of each piece have a significance to various bible stories.

An eye-catching artwork showing a flock of sheep entitled “99” shows resemblance to the “Parable of the Lost Sheep” where a shepherd leaves his flock of ninety-nine sheep in order to find the one which is lost. Another artwork in reference to a bible story is one showing a Pride (group of lions) entitled “Darius, Daniel and the Den”. This artwork’s title shows resemblance to the bible story of “Daniel in the Lion’s Den” where Daniel was cast by the king into a pit of lions and later survived because God sent an angel to close the jaws of the lion causing the people of the world to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. Tuason’s drawing of scattering birds flying entitled “After the Flood” also connects to the bible story of “Noah’s Ark” where a great typhoon was set to come and each pair of animals were kept in the ark in order to survive the flood. Aside from those three pieces, an artwork in the gallery entitled “Conquest, War, Famine and Plague” showing four horses can be familiar to some because it also resembles the bible story known as “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.” This was a prophecy describing a period of time when a quarter of population of the earth was killed by a combination of wars, famine and disease.

Connecting the names of Richard Tuason’s artworks and the message he is trying to portray, one could truly understand the real essence of the pieces in the gallery. Each title resembles a bible story involving animals. Everybody grows up believing that we are all creatures living in this planet we consider as our home. Because of this, he emphasizes through his pieces in Alpha that as humans believed to be the ‘stewards of God’s creation’, it is our responsibility to take care of the planet including these animals which continue to suffer because of us. With each expression of the animals drawn, it is safe to say that Tuason truly put in the effort to connect the audience to his individual pieces. Through the art he has created, Richard Tuason hopes that others will be more aware of the environment and respects it the way humans are believed to. For someone to receive that message equates to his success in fulfilling his obligation as an artist. That is the sole reason behind why he creates the art that he does.

Welcome to my life.

“Keep going, you’ll get there. Every moment is an opportunity to add a little value to your future.”

In a span of one year, a lot of events came into my life that left me surprised at how fast everything seems to come and go. In an instant, everything is coming close to an end without even realizing it.

The past two years of my high school life really gave me a realization that I’m growing up. This was the time where I had to carefully make decisions that will mold my future; these decisions I make as a seventeen and eighteen year-old would soon become my life. Counting down to my last few weeks of calling myself a senior high school student, I want to use this opportunity to look back on the memories I have made- the people I met, the adventures I’ve been on, and the experiences I have gained.

The friends that I have made introduced me to a life I’ve never imagined. I can say that I have had the most fun in the last two years than I have had in a while. Being around my circle of friends is therapeutic for me. For the first time in what felt like forever, I have this group of people whom I can fully trust and who I get along with so easily, and can go through the depths of life. It is positive to say that with them- I feel whole.

Ending 11th grade meant preparing myself to decide what college is best for me. Throughout the process all I was thinking about was the next four years of my life. This is where I will be spending most of my time; this is where I will be creating a new batch of memories as well as shaping my future. Through hard work and prayers, this ride was not the easiest, but I am happy with the outcome.

Entering 12th grade, I knew this was going to be a lot of lasts. The new friendships that have been formed would be separated so quickly. These transitions in my life came so fast, and in moments like these I need to step back for a while and take time as it is. Going into college next year, I am excited to move onto a new chapter and a new environment where everything is as fresh as it is.

As I am closing off this school year, I will keep what I have learned forever. Although it may have felt like I have been through a lot, it is important to remember there is so much more for me to see. This is just the beginning.