The Youth is On Fire Issue 1: SPARK by The Youth Is On Fire

Spark TYIOF Issue 1

Youth power, p. 4 When reality bites, p. 6 Self-love and lipstick: a journey, p. 8 An ode to the young ones, p. 10 Adventure is out there, p. 12 A pail of yellow paint, please, p. 15

Art by Chissai Bautista 2

Photos by Elizabeth Regudo and Nelissa Chua

o matter how awkward and cringe-inducing it is to look at our old work, there’s still something to be said about the development that we all undergo as artists. Hours were spent hunched over starter sketchpads trying to perfect your favorite cartoon character’s eyes. On weekends, some aspiring JK Rowlings perfect the climax of their own fantasy novel. The truth is art requires work, and just like any forms of labor, there are by-products that are forgotten and outputs that make the cut. The ones that do reflect what we want to keep at that given present. They’re tangible representations of who we were. But time passes and essentially, our output for that given present changes just as we do. Life throws obstacles and inspiration our way and we have no choice but to deal with it. These experiences are what make us whole and be better versions of ourselves. David Bowie wasn’t born a superstar — documents say otherwise, but we could all be wrong — and Carrie Fisher didn’t become a badass overnight. They went through auditions, rejections, and victories. Because of these experiences, people eventually gained a deeper understanding of their art. The first issue of The Youth is on Fire is dedicated to those simple beginnings — those times when you decided to just do. The words and pictures in these pages capture the present time some of today’s youth. These stories are about the experiences that sparked them to create. We hope that these will inspire you, too.

Youth power

by Hikaru Murakami

We are the young ones with phones in our hands and lyrics in our ears. The generation known for selfies and dabs. But our capabilities are to be discovered beyond the tip of the iceberg.

The melody of poetry that flows from the tongue that fuels the passion. The passion that ignites the world with warm light and energy. One thing is certain: The youth is powerful. 5

When reality bites By Cerisse Madlangbayan

t comes like a gust of wind in the summer heat, or to be more accurate, like a jump scare at the end of an otherwise chill game of Snake. It is uninvited, thrilling, but nevertheless mind-bogglingly frightening. It is the quarter-life crisis. And it creeps on me and hangs around at the back of my mind along with other #adulting and am-I-gonna-be-single-for-life thoughts. It truly is fascinating to think that we had a rosy picture of how things are going to be when we grow up, but then jarring when we realize we’re literally at the point in our lives when we have to do something about it. We know this is the future — this is all that we’ve been waiting for — except it’s not as easy as we once thought it to be. The world may be an open field, but at the same time, it’s filled with rocks and crevices that hinder us from what we want — if we even know what we want. And most of us don’t. The youth may be strong and passionate but the fear of the unknown (especially in this era where almost anything is possible) is sadly just as strong. We cradle a spirit within us that burns for something that we often don’t know what; strangely this desire causes indecision or just borderline confusion. Because we kindle that fervor, we can’t help but get disappointed when things don’t go our way and have that tendency to despise failure. So now, I feel like every film I watch, every book I read, or every song I listen to has some cryptic message about life and our existence. One line in particular that really hits me is by Billy Joel: “Dream on, but don’t imagine they’ll all come true.” For me, the song Vienna pretty much sums up quarter life crisis in a nutshell. Failure is naturally engraved in our path to adulthood, but we shouldn’t let our fears diminish the dream nor should we let the indefinite future freeze us in our comfort zones. When I watch Disney’s Tangled, I still tear up slightly when Rapunzel sings When Will My Life Begin? It’s funny, really, because if I just truly paid attention to the movie, then I would know that all I have to do is at least try. Just try to get off the tower. It sure is scary when we do, but it’ll be more frightening when we don’t.

Art by DJ Dumapit 7

Self-love and lipstick: a journey

Art by Steven Comandante 8

by Lea Bolante

veryone’s experience with beauty is different. Learning about these from women — and men — can help one realize how beauty comes in various shapes and movements. Our personal narratives of beauty continue to challenge the standards that society has placed upon us. In a way, beauty also has the capacity to help us face our own demons, no matter how small they may be. In my case, rediscovering my interest in makeup continues to help me come to terms with myself. There were two instances that sparked my love for makeup: going through my late mother’s beauty stash and trying out her eyeshadow palettes, lipsticks, and skincare products. I was curious to the point that I accidentally shaved one brow using a razor when I was five years old. (That incident traumatized me, and up until now, I still refuse getting my brows threaded.) That same year, I saw an old Johnson & Johnson’s print

The world of makeup has always been an exciting and transformative realm, albeit a temporary one. You can immediately feel something positively different about yourself with one swipe of lipstick.

ad for pressed face powder that said ‘Because the baby is now a lady.’ Those words convinced me that wearing makeup was a step to achieving maturity. I was so eager to grow up and looking back, I regret that pronouncement. My love for all things beauty during my childhood manifested in mini-makeover sessions with my mom and buying kid-friendly beauty products. When my mother died, my love for makeup somewhat died too. I felt embarrassed to admit that I was interested in beauty because I felt that some people might judge me for it. But I snapped out of it. The world of makeup has always been an exciting and transformative realm, albeit a temporary one. You can immediately feel something positively different about yourself with one swipe of lipstick. While trying out makeup is fun, I think that there’s something deep and personal about it. For me, it made me think about what I want out of it. Rediscovering the world of beauty and makeup meant coming to terms with my physical appearance and learning how to love myself as a whole. In a way, it also meant commemorating my relationship with my mother. It made me realize how something like makeup can help empower people and take charge of their lives in one way or another. For me, wearing makeup is a reminder of self-care, especially when faced with tough situations. In fact, whenever I do my skincare and makeup routine, I feel a little less angry towards myself and that I am slowly reclaiming who I am from the fiery pit of self-doubt and self-loathing. 9

Art by Analyn Camantigue

An ode to the young ones By Denixce Trillana

Here’s to you who doesn’t get much sleep the you who fills up with pills and coffee only to lie down and weep You whose eyes project legendary landscapes but are clothed with despondency Stung by sharp shooting whispers from people claiming to be masters of authenticity To you who’s grappled by tales of people and moments and things and places Whose dreams contain the seed than can build a ladder to the sun But whose nightmares have taken form as Olympians challenging you to a run Here’s to you whose voice has been silenced by the knell of the watchers Betrayed by the treacherous dressed as old friends To the frustrated writers brimming with the fear of cul-de-sac Seth forth your raven for you are the extension of your pen To the athletes in the bleachers averting the crisis of the clock Rise from your slumber because whether you become a victor or not the stars will be your layers To the children of music and the arts fighting to banish rumours of mediocrity Haste, for this world would be a forgotten lullaby without your individuality To you who has something to say An act of kindness Ready to pave the way To you whose ideas can give birth to an uproar Draw your paper swords for a war has come And it is your very own battle in which you will always prevail You only need to go out there and declare your tale!

Adventure is out there Kir Bungen documents a trip where online friends meet IRL.

n instameet is a gathering of people who are passionate about sharing their craft through Instagram. They socialize, and, of course, take photos and videos. Our friends from the travel community Sino Pinas invited 38 creatives to celebrate their second anniversary in Zambales.

Before we left for Capas, we repacked school supplies and snacks for the Aeta children as part of the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s initiatives to give back to the locals who take care of the places we visit. I stepped into my first instameet surrounded by strangers whose square photos I religiously liked every day. Now, I have friends that I consider family. They continually shape my perspective of the world.

A pail of yellow paint, please By Sienna Rose L. Mabuti

turned on the faucet and watched the running water wash away the paint on my palette and paintbrush. The colors splashed around in the bathroom sink and I named them one by one — red, blue, violet, orange, green, and indigo. “Perfect,” I whispered to myself. These are all the colors of the rainbow — except yellow. For some reason, I hate the color yellow. Despite the fact that my art teacher keeps on telling me that my paintings lack liveliness, I never dare to use it. I hate how easily it gets dirty; how just one accidental touch with blue turns it into green. I went to an art exhibit today. All the artworks were remarkable, but I was most captivated by a painting of a yellow daisy in a garden of roses. I walked towards the painting and observed how well the colors were executed. Until, of course, I saw shades of red slightly mixing and ruining the color yellow. I cringed and read the description. It said, “Who would choose a daisy in a garden of roses?” I thought about it, and realized that the painter — a girl named May who is two years younger than I am — was right. Who would? I made my way towards the food stalls to buy a vanilla ice cream near a mini art store inside the function hall. Someone bumped into me causing the ice cream melt over my dress. I looked up and saw a girl in a ponytail, white shirt, jeans, and a nametag that read, “May”. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to,” she said with a hint of worry in her voice. “It’s okay,” I replied. “Hey, you own that painting over there about roses and daisies, right?” She nodded and tears started falling from her eyes. I found a table for us as May started to calm down. She told me the story behind her painting. “I was a total outcast,” she told me. “I think it goes that way. Maybe I was too much of a cliché or too happy to be existing that I faded in the crowd because everyone seemed more valuable than I am. Thank you for listening and I’m sorry for being a mess,” she smiled. I told her it was okay and asked, “Then why are you still choosing to be cheerful? How do you still stay so positive and continue brimming with joy?” She younger than I am but she’s already so wise. Age truly is not a measure of maturity. She wiped her tears and said, “Because like the yellow daisy in the sea of red roses, you have to be brave enough to embrace your vulnerability.” It is rumored that Vincent Van Gogh used to eat yellow paint because he thought it would make him happy. I guess we all have our own yellow paint — something that can make us believe that we can be truly happy. For me, that’s having the courage to break down my walls. Like how the color yellow can easily get dirty, yet still be what 14

Art by Shaira Bungcag

It is rumored that Vincent Van Gogh used to eat yellow paint because he thought it would make him happy. I guess we all have our own yellow paint — something that can make us believe that we can be truly happy. it is: full of vulnerability, radiating brightness, bringing a spark of life and happiness to wherever it is flickered. You see, in order to enjoy life, you have to be willing to feel pain. You have to be both happy and strong. You have to be strong enough to handle challenges but still be able to say jokes. You have to be willing enough to welcome others in your life despite the possibilities of heartbreak and still be able to laugh at comedy movies. You have to embrace who you are, accept your flaws, know your strengths and go beyond your potentials. You don’t have to color yourself red and pretend to be a rose when you’re meant to shine like a daisy. What matters is that you should never, ever let anyone take your smile away. Don’t let the world change your smile. Let your smile change the world. Happiness may be scary because it’s temporary, but at the same time, joy will help you get through permanently as long as you open doors for it. I stood up and walked over to the counter of the art store. The boy at the counter asked what he could get for me. I flashed a genuine smile and said, “One small pail of yellow paint, please.” 15

We put the spotlight on designer-illustrator Earvin Padua for the first issue of The Youth is On Fire by Gaby Gloria

by Earvin Padua

As a kid, graphic designer Earvin Padua was sure of one thing: that he wanted to create and invent. Earvin, better known by his nickname Herbs (an offshoot from “Earvs” and his interest in plants), took up advertising at the University of Sto. Tomas to do just that. His college years were all about finding his voice — a voice that he is currently using to remain versatile in the industry.

With its solid pops of basic reds, blues, yellows, and greens, Herbs’ style is a definite fit to the design firm, especially since he can incorporate and tweak it based on what clients want. For the first issue of TYIOF, we caught up with Herbs to talk to him about his life as a budding illustrator, how he takes his inspiration from daily life, and his thoughts on originality in today’s society.

You graduated from UST with a major in advertising in 2014. When did you know that you wanted to go into that field? Honestly, I didn’t. It’s more of a gut feel. But ever since I was a kid I was kind of sure of one thing — I want to create and invent. So by the time I was about to choose my course in college, advertising looked versatile enough for me and I thought I could just specialize in a specific practice that I would want later on. Did you do other work aside from what you did with the Illustrators Guild of the University of Sto. Tomas? Not quite. During college, I was more into finding my voice. Having chosen advertising, I did not see myself as an ad man during those days (which is kind of a bad practice?). So I just kept on practicing, honing my skills in my own ways and pace — gathering as much inspiration as I can from people around me, books, games, places, the Internet, the Guild, pretty much anything I could set my mind to – until I developed different styles that I want and have fun doing. So most works that I have done during college are personal works. Some I still have today. But extracurricular works? Not much. How did you start working for Vgrafiks? I actually started in Vgrafiks as an intern in 2014. Having been required for an internship in my college, I set my eyes on Vgrafiks because, simply put — they look fun. It was then and there that I was motivated to pursue my hidden interest in design and identity. After my internship, I focused on learning about branding, identity, and design. After finishing an academic degree, I was still not satisfied with what I know and what I could do. So I decided to go back — this time as a designer for the team. Thankfully, they took me in. Working with team and meeting

different clients has been a blast for me so far and it’s a great experience to have. Have you done any notable design work for them recently? If so, can you tell us about it? One of my favorite projects so far would be a zine that I have created entitled, “Jank”. What it is basically, is a visual representation of a young designer’s life after art school (albeit in my personal experience). I am not able to print or release it yet but I could tell you that its tone is blunt and somewhat tries to achieve an in-your-face tone of despair that you have to face as a young designer — I mean come on, this world is not an easy place to thrive in! I had loads of fun with this project because I got to go with what I want and what style I wanted to use – which rarely happens with client work. You have so many boards on your Pinterest — I saw some titled “Etchy Sketchy” and “Geospazzmic”—you seem to take inspiration from a lot of places! When it comes to your own style, what are your main inspirations? Yes, in my spare time, I love collecting inspirations from websites, blogs etc. Just to get myself a vague information with the current flavor of design around the world. But I have started to limit myself in doing this mainly due to the reason that you could find more interesting, if not, more natural inspiration in what happens in your daily life and experiences. I guess, it’s safe to say that most young designers tend to take their inspiration online (which is not a bad thing at all), but as you see their works you’ll see that most of the time they merely copy the exact same thing and do not progress from there — I know everyone’s guilty of this at some point. Right now, I strive to base my work foremost on the content and later on the aesthetics — a value that I’ve learned while working in Vgrafiks and talking to other designers as well. 19

In light of the previous question, how do you maintain your own style? Maintaining your own style is the easiest part, the hardest is finding it. When handling a project, I create my story first before I set the style that I deem fit for the job. In terms of inspiration, I base my work mostly from conversations and daily stories, articles, news, history, various research materials and inject them with my own wit — that’s when I know that I have created something of my own. I noticed that a lot of artists and designers nowadays use “taking inspiration” as an excuse to copy the style of other people. But then again it’s also fair to say that nothing in this world is original. What do you think about that? An artist I know used to say that originality is overrated, and I agree with that. Even the great masters took inspiration from the Greek, the Egyptians, Sumerians and other great ancient civilizations. There’s really no issue for me here, if you like to copy then so be it, stay as a copy cat, your work will always be second-rate of who you copied it from. But take something as an inspiration and create with your own touch and your own story, that’s original enough — it will be something that you can be proud of.

Fireplay

By Kat Kaw

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;It is frigid, it is darkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, thought the boy who played her heart. But it was hot, it was bright, he got burned, he played with fire.

Art by Hannah Aquino

Analyn Camantigue Cerisse Madlangbayan Chissai Bautista Denixce Trillana Dj Dumapit Elizabeth Regudo Hannah Aquino Hikaru Murakami Kat Kaw Kir Bungen Lea Bolante Nelissa Chua Shaira Bungcag Sienna Rose L. Mabuti Steven Comandante

This Youth is on Fire is the monthly online zine of http://youngstar.ph 24