Blog posts

If there's one from the upperclassmen that I could remember as a nasa-kaniya-na-ang-lahat person, it would have to be Aran Villanueva whom I regularly address as "Sir Aran". As soon as he got home from California, I got excited to know his experiences in performing onstage abroad.

When I first watched his performances via Facebook, I was surprised to know that he too is a violinist. Long I have known Sir Aran for being a guitarist and a member of the Blue Jays drumline when he and I have joined together for recitals conducted by Zion's Praise Music Incorporated that is based here in General Santos. Without any doubt, I placed my bet on his victory.

A year has passed now since he was able to grab a silver and two bronzes.

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I then sought correspondence with Sir Aran as a part of Adventure's coverage for its features section:

"As an artist, you have to learn to be flexible and versatile in your styles.

"Here in Gensan, there are people who appreciate classical music. I am part of the Gensan Youth Orchestra and we play and love Classical Music. We also have an audience that greatly loves to hear us play.

"I hope to make people happy by entertaining them with high quality music that many people will remember very well. I hope they would be really looking forward for my next performance and they would really have high expectations to see me and they would already have a mindset on how you will play and entertain the audience.

"That is my ultimate goal in life and I can achieve it by striving hard and practising. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit and by perseverance and discipline in all my rehearsals, I can realize my dreams.

"I would be more relaxed if I perform here because I am doing it for fellow Filipinos and I’m really used to that."

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But above all, Sir Aran declares that he still has a long way to go: "If there is one thing that I learned in WCOPA, it’s that there is so much more that I have to learn. I am excited to work hard and be an even better musician."

Sir Aran, I am excited to see you become a professional musician and watch your recital at the Palais Garnier. I foresee that by then, you would have become a renowned composer who might conduct your own. All the best, Sir!

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My thanks go to Tita-Doc Michelle, Sir Aran's mom for allowing me to feature him!

And also to Super Graphic's Sir Kalel Arnold de Guzman for having me on October 14th — friends, mark your calendars; ha-ha char lang!

Maraming-maraming salamat kay Sir Jepoy ng Manila Bulletin sa kaniyang leksiyon ukol sa pagdisenyo at paglapat ng diyaryo noong gabi ng ika-27! Mga kapuwang tagadisenyo, maaari niyong i-access and video sa pahina ng NOW sa Facebook.|jvdm|

NO discussion in this entry but only a dedication of these works to a mother,a  mentor, a chef, a friend Gng. Glenny Solead who passed away two weeks ago. I am still mourning. 

Thank you so much for listening to my stories. You've been there in victory and in weeping — those I will never forget and will cherish for a lifetime.

Because of you, my passion for design humbly began in grade school when I part-time worked in Ang Guryon wherein you served as student publication adviser.

Ang Guryon 2016-2017

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Ang Guryon 2017-2018

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Ang Guryon 2018-2019

7th Best Elementary Filipino Student Publication of RXII, SOCCSKSARGEN, winning:

- 4th Best News Page

-6th Best Features Page

-7th Best Features Page

-7th Best Opinion Page

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Ang Guryon 2019-2020

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Ginang Glenny and the guryon has finally flown upwards to heaven.

'Til we meet in Paradise, GINANG!

ADVENTURE'S opinion pages aren't that boring anymore. As part of the "rethink" project, I decided to inject some color into these spreads.

Do allow me to say that I had to face this snafu on colored opinion pages. Contrary to what I did for this year's issue, some so-called "design experts" still insist that color can nary be present in this formal, "masculine" section.

Opinion pages are vital to the newspaper; that is where readers get influence from the ideas of the editorial board and the columnists. Design, therefore is crucial here to effectively and easily convince the readers of the editorial board and columnists' stand.

Definitely, I couldn't bear to let readers have an extremely dull reading experience. I wanted to give them some excitement as they flip through the pages. Injecting color, aside from placing pull quotes, infographics, and numbers is a way to make the opinion pages more animated. It doesn't lessen much the formality. It doesn't eventually become "feminine", to say.

But to make it clear: A solely grayscale opinion page does not make itself boring to read. Pull quotes, photographs, illustrations, and infographics can add a little bit of excitement, too!

We're continuing to provide the best reading experience for our readers. As renowned News Designer Mario Garcia would best say, "As I repeat often, it is not about print dying, but about thinking of ways to make the product livelier."  I coax you to not only experiment with your elements, but also with your color and negative space, too. Keep the formality, make it exciting at a certain extent (not too flat and unentertaining, not too busy and not too embellished). Find the best ways to keep them reading.

(Read more on: https://garciamedia.com/blog/coloring-opinions/)

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"Comment is free, but facts are sacred," wrote British Journalist Charles Prestwich Scott in his essay "A Hundred Years" published in the then Manchester Guardian, now The Guardian when it marked its centenary in year 1921. Adventure welcomes you to its all-new COMMENTS section. 

 

To give you still that sense of formality in the design that Adventure preserves, we'd give you only grayscale and Prussian blue — cool-as-ever classic colors.

 

 

Journalist Edwin G. Espejo who is presently on extended leave wrote a piece regarding Former Congressman Jun Acharon's attempt to run again in the 2019 congressional elections which was later on called off when the Supreme Court released its ruling to proclaim Congresswoman Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles as the winner. Beside his commentary is a timeline named "Aton ini!" (Congresswoman Nograles' Hiligaynon catchphrase that roughly translates to "This is ours!") of the turn of events regarding the matter. The congresswoman has gone through a lot before her oathtaking as a member of the House of Representatives.

 

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Thanks so much, Sir Edwin for contributing to this issue.

 

Special mention to Bai Judd Bañas of The Thirteenth Scholars, thanks for our three-going-on-four years of friendship. Am very favored to have a friend who's also a good designer, a brother, and a listener of showbiz-like drama.

 

Kuys Alvin Resuello, adviser of Ang Paulenyo, I could've gone to your place had COVID-19 not spread like wildfire. Looking forward to our bagnet eating someday.

 

Mark Cayunda of The Courier, I hope you do well always. Hang in there! Let's make each day productive!

 

Allow me to praise Kuya Jimmy Grajo of Channels for always doing a good job in both design and music!

 

Kuya Ian Lopez who presently designs for the UPLB Perspective has helped me a lot. Adventure wouldn't have its present look if I had not gotten to know him IN 2018. |jvdm|

 

"MORE EQ victims need help."

Such words painted in white display on wooden signboard hanging on an acacia branch with its nails loose. It is a welcome sign however with an urgent request.

Heart-wrenching experience at Matanao, Davao del Sur when successive earthquakes rocked Southern Mindanao.

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Who gave them more of the relief in order to survive after being mongered with fear? NGOs have so far supplied food and materials for creating makeshift shelter, residents say.

But those from the local government are inadequate to quench their thirst and to cure their hunger, "Daghan pa requirements nga i-submit aron makadawat 'mi." 

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Warm greetings to another confidante, bully Kent Adal of Invictus : Thanks for backing me up and making me grumpy  more often than not.

Kenny Dizon of Ang Salamin, Armando "A3" Barcebal of Teodoran Gazette, James Sablay of Magnum Opus continue your pursuits in life — all of you are great!

Bunso Jorosh Resurrecion of The Kingians, John Macling, Jose "Phil" Salido, may you continue to grow in this field.

NSPC 2017 News Writing Queen Rhoda "Kyang" Ebad, thanks for listening to all of my dramatic narratives in life, and for teaching me how to write. I cannot repay your kindness right now, but I will someday.

Yikes, am compelled to keep some money to have this printed and sent via snail mail (hope I do).

What warmth from all of your ENCOURAGEMENT! |jvdm|