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The Road Less Planned: My Journey from Graphic Design to Teaching

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We love movies with twists and turns, but life? Life writes its own plotlines—sometimes stranger, sometimes more meaningful than anything on screen. Today, I want to share one of my own twists, a journey that reshaped my career, my passions, and my understanding of myself. The Early Dreams As an undergraduate, I was a fairly typical student—not overly studious, not lazy, just… simple. I had simple dreams: to have a band, create art, and write plays for the stage. These were the things that made me feel alive. They weren’t necessarily practical, but I imagined a life where I could flourish in these pursuits, and for a while, that was enough to keep me motivated. Finding My Career Path After completing my BFA, I entered the workforce as an illustrator for a small children’s magazine. It was modest work, but it connected me with the professional world. Soon after, I became a graphic designer for retail, then hotels. During this time, I discovered a new aspiration: to beco...
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When One Job Isn’t Enough: Life as a Filipino Millennial

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Have you ever felt like you’re always on the run—especially when it comes to work? Like, no matter how much you give, how many hours you put in, or how hard you try, it still isn’t enough? These thoughts have been lingering in my mind for years. Why do we have to juggle two or three jobs just to make ends meet? And yet, somehow, even with all that effort, we never truly feel secure. Juggling Multiple Roles I am a job juggler myself. On the academic side, I work one full-time and one part-time position. On the creative side, I run a small business that serves clients whenever opportunities arise. If you only work a single job, this might sound impressive—or even enviable—but the reality is far from glamorous. Even with multiple streams of income, I still find myself stretched thin. Not empty, but never quite enough. “Despite technically managing three jobs, there are days when I have to tighten my belt just to make it to the next payday.” I live modestly. I buy only what I can afford,...
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Why No One Listens Anymore?

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Lately, I have been thinking about how noisy the world has become. Everyone has something to say. Every issue invites a reaction. But in the middle of all this speaking, listening seems to be disappearing. Listening is not just about being quiet while someone else talks. It is about being open. It is about allowing another person’s idea to enter your mind before you respond. Today, however, many conversations feel like competitions. People wait for their turn to speak instead of trying to understand. Social media has made this more visible. Posts are judged by likes, shares, and views. What becomes viral is often treated as true. But popularity is not the same as truth. When we rely only on what trends, we stop thinking deeply. We react quickly instead of reflecting carefully. The philosopher Socrates believed that wisdom begins with recognizing that we do not know everything. This idea requires humility. To listen well, we must accept that we might be wrong or incomplete. Without tha...
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When AI Points a Gun at Creativity: A Reflective Blog

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  Since the pandemic era (2020–2022), AI has sparked endless debates among academicians, students, professionals, and society at large. For me, AI itself is not the problem—it can be a powerful tool for research, writing, and innovation. But when it comes to AI-generated art , I draw a clear line. I’m reflecting on this because, just last week, our college came under public scrutiny for producing an AI-generated poster to promote an event. Reactions poured in through Facebook groups, chats, and other channels. Many students expressed disappointment, some even condemnation, largely because the poster was created by a member of the college administration. The creator defended AI as a tool for creativity and innovation—even within a college devoted to art and design. I respect that perspective, but I remain critical. As Walter Benjamin once observed in The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction , the aura of art—its uniqueness and presence in time and space—is diminished wh...
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Location: Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
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Surviving a Toxic Workplace Without Losing Yourself

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I used to think a workplace was just… work. You go in, do your job, and go home. Simple.  But over time, I realized something: your workplace is basically your second home. You spend most of your waking hours there, talk to the same people every day, deal with stress together, celebrate wins (sometimes), and survive deadlines. Of course, it shapes you.  I’ve been in work environments that were supportive, light, and motivating. People helped each other. Feedback was healthy. You went home tired but not emotionally drained.  And then… there’s the other kind. The kind where tension is always in the air. Where compliments feel suspicious. Where people smile in meetings and criticize in private. Where gossip moves faster than emails. Where you slowly notice you’re becoming more guarded, more cynical, maybe even a little meaner than you used to be.  That’s when it hit me: the biggest danger of a toxic workplace isn’t just stress — it’s turning into someone you don’t even...
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Realities and Struggles of Running a Freelance Graphic Design Business

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  Have you ever imagined owning your own business? Or dreamed of finally being your own boss? For many creatives, that dream stays exactly where it starts—in our heads. I was one of those dreamers, and in 2022, that dream became real when I launched my freelance design studio, Grafiko Commercial Art Services , or simply Grafiko . At first, everything felt surreal. What used to be just an idea during my college days suddenly became a legally registered business. I processed the paperwork, paid the fees, and eventually landed my first clients. It was exciting, fulfilling, and honestly a little intimidating. But as the initial excitement faded, the real work began. One of the biggest realities I faced was how different freelancing is from how it’s often portrayed. Movies and social media make creative work look glamorous—designers are shown as effortlessly cool, mysterious, and somehow always inspired. In real life, that image doesn’t help you survive, let alone succeed. Clients don...
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Location: Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
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I Have Joined the PhD Program!

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The year 2026 feels like a fresh start. Every new year brings change, and for many people, that change comes in different forms. Some begin new jobs, some enter new relationships, and others discover new paths in life. For me, this year marks the beginning of a new and unexpected chapter—starting my journey as a PhD student. To be honest, I never thought I would study beyond my undergraduate degree. For a long time, my heart was set on working in the industry. I believed that real learning happened outside the classroom, through practice, experience, and hard work. Higher education, especially at the doctoral level, was never part of my plan. But life has a way of surprising us. Sometimes, it gently pushes us toward paths we never imagined taking. Today, I find myself fully part of the academic world. I am now teaching as an instructor in three universities, and slowly, I have learned to embrace the role of an educator and researcher. Looking back, this shift did not happen overnight...
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