Spotlight: The Late Bloomer

An old adage goes “age is nothing but a number” and Ronan Capili is one living proof that age won’t dictate just what one can do as long as the dedication is there. When we chatted with him one fine Friday morning for this feature, it was not difficult to see that he is full of life . One cannot help but to imbibe the zest he gives off as you converse. And as a photographer by profession, we asked him which celebrity would he be interested in taking a portrait of. His answer? Robin Williams. But just hold on yet, he answered this with a disclaimer: "This question never crossed my mind because I was never the type who would get starstruck. They're just people to me." And with that, one can tell that he is not here for the superficiality of it all. Ronan's passion is evident point blank.

Now at 32 (but as spontaneous, verbose and animated as ever), Ronan is what we could all consider a late bloomer. He always had that interest in Photography but he pursued Communication Arts in De La Salle University --- still not thinking that photography could be a viable career . He graduated in 2000 and has since started working in different industries. It was not only sometime in 2008 that he entertained the thought of pursuing AB Photography here in Benilde when he found out that the school was ready to cater to its 2nd batch of photography students. "A few years leading to my lightbulb moment, I met people along the way who pursued their passion in life a little later than usual. It helped me to reconsider where I was and where I wanted to go."

That decision to have another run at college life proved to be fruitful as even though he is still studying, Ronan booked the job of being a photo contributor for Philippine Daily Inquirer's 2BU section which gets published every Saturday. The job that he does is very similar to what we at theSDAproject do; however, he is not exclusive to the SDA campus and gets his subjects from wherever his feet may lead him. A big fan of color he takes notice of that someone who stands out in a crowd and just like Scott Schuman of "The Sartorialist", one of his inspirations, captures his subject's untouched emotion and where their personality is the life of his photos.

Aside from photography, he also sidelines in event hosting and choreographing routines for ice skating. This man knows how to segue himself into almost anything and that's just commendable on his part to be able to manage his interests. A rising name because of his huge talent in taking pictures and working the crowd, Ronan acknowledges that studying again at De La Salle- College of Saint Benilde was his best decision for himself to date. "The school lets us be dynamic, creative, relentless and resilient. Something I was looking for in my previous run in college." SDA happens to have students that are already working their way to be part of the creative industry and Ronan Capili certainly epitomizes that mold.

A person who never looked further than one week in his life, Ronan just plans to enjoy the ride willing to accept opportunities may it be in or out of the country after he graduates next year. Ronan could not dictate to himself just what he plans to do next saying that "that's what makes it fun and pressure-free" and we trust him that he will not disappoint. Ronan knows what's best for him and we would all just have to wait and see... how great he would turn out to be. ---theSDAproject

Follow Ronan on Twitter: www.twitter.com/putobumbong

Spotlight: The Second Time Around

The Meet-Up Place: Noriter Cafe, the eccentric, off beat cafe located above Tapa King along Taft Avenue.

If anyone already know this Cafe and will discover it after we post this article will definitely agree that this place is perfect for these two artistic personalities we're featuring this month.

And now we proceed to the first of this terrific duo from SDA that we're talking about, Christine Anabelle Luang or simply, Christine Luang, the 20 year old Third Year Multimedia Student/style blogger.

Christine is one-half of the sister powered fashion blog, The Big Bangs Theory that she runs with Camille Luang, her younger sister who is now studying at University of Santo Tomas. And if you do believe with the saying that "First impression lasts." we will confidently say that their blog will surely leave a strong imprint on your mind.

Their blog, just saying from their layout, is a whimsical, digital art filled, hipster if you want to call it inspired, the colors and almost everything reminds you of an offbeat, cool magazine like Nylon, Paper or Status. But the fun doesn't just end there.

Their style is just a perfect mix of cool, hip and as we want to quote Christine "your-thoughts-don't-matter-I'll-wear-what-I-want-to-wear" vibe. Taking her style inspirations from the likes of Rachel Bilson, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexa Chung, Agyness Deyn and the undone-looking-but-hip-chic kind of people she sees everywhere.

"What I love most about the SDA's environment is that it's very laidback . Its clean and modern environment allows my mind to think of new things, new ways to do something, and imagine infinitely. Also, I don't think it's as hot as other buildings.The weather in Manila is crazy! So just imagine if we had different colored walls or smaller hallways!"

-Christine on School of Design & Arts' environment

In our Internet-consuming generation, everyone loves to share things online, either through their Facebook Status or their tweets but with this topic Christine gives us the reason why she loves blogging among all of this social networking hiatus. She points out that you don't really have to say much to just share something to people. Simply post a photo and from the she says that she can make people feel what she felt or see what she saw. It's a simple sharing of a bit of who she is and what else she can do.

"It doesn't matter if people feel or see differently. Nothing is really made to be understood. I also think that through our blog, I can show people who I am and what I can do."

With our little chat while shooting our other personality and eating Noriter's delicious food, she tells me that College of St. Benilde wasn't really her first choice. Her original plan was to transfer to UST College of Fine Arts but fate as we know it wants something else.

After deciding to transfer to De La Salle - College of St. Benilde SDA, she realizes that most of the good things that's happening to her now will never happen if she was in a different school or if she was with different people. Other than the awesome, cool structure she says, she really was eager to study Multimedia Arts but was surprised it wasn't just about drawing and computer graphics. Though the course's rather intense, "the process of finishing projects", she says, "kills but in the end when you finally see what you have made, it's definitely the best feeling in the world! "

"Art and fashion makes life interesting.

I don't know how I'll get by if I wasn't allowed to dress the way I want to, if I wasn't allowed to draw or if I didn't have Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator! I don't know, I think it just inspires me to think and create differently, to see things in a different perspective and to try to look for perfection in the imperfection."

But I guess, it's not just art and fashion that makes life interesting: it's what we do with those two. Either we create things for other people or we blog and share art and fashion with the rest of our generation. -theSDAproject

Visit Big Bangs Theory on www.bigbangstheory.blogspot.com

Follow Christine on Twitter www.twitter.com/ChristineLuang

Extras

David's Moleskin:

Queen B.

BIANCA YUZON is no ordinary girl. You will see her walk the corridors of SDA with a personality you can't help but admire. No wonder she's the SDA Representative at the College of St. Benilde's Student Council. She is currently a sophomore taking up a degree in Fashion Design and Merchandising. She's also the lead vocalist of a band called the Oneiros. Here is our personal interview with our dearest Bianca.

TSP: What inspired you to become a representative of the School of Design and Arts?

BIANCA: When I was signing up to run with KA-ISA PARTY, I saw the position for SDA representative was still vacant. Something just clicked and felt right. I was really just pining to represent my course as a frosh student before that but this was definitely worth the wait. It honestly felt like a calling. We have a great school with a uniquely structured building equipped with the latest technology required for each course, but despite all of that, there will always be room for improvement: academically, internally and externally; and I know that working together, we can achieve the positive change we want to see. Before me was the opportunity to serve my fellow artists, and to give back to what I had grown to call "home" over the past year. How could I refuse? REPRESENT.

TSP: What are some of the best experiences you’ve had while serving in the Student Council?

BIANCA: Every project is special not just because it serves its own purpose, but because you never really know what to expect, especially when working with a council so full of life. It almost seems like some of us never run out of energy - do not be fooled though, sometimes part of the sacrifice is being the last to fall asleep and the first to get up. Hustlin' from dusk 'till dawn, and you never hear a word of complaint, which is why I really look up to my peers. I'll never forget Star Week: the heat in Plaza Villarosa was just ridiculous (global warming people!), but it was definitely worth it, especially when we were united with our newest members at our first general assembly. Frosh Solidarity Night is also at the top in my book. We're barely halfway through our first term - the fun has just begun!

TSP: How would you describe the students in the School of Design and Arts?

BIANCA: Definitely one of a kind, passionate about our craft, a distinct fashion sense (whatever the dress code throws at us, we manage to make it work somehow) and not to be messed with because we've got the internal fire. SDA students are the future (and even present for most) of the creative industry, restless to express within those white walls.

TSP: What is something that most people don’t know about you?
BIANCA: I learned how to read and write properly at the age of six (that's a bit late, isn't it?) but by seven, I published a book of poems entitled "Love On the Doorstep". Before that I used to write in hieroglyphics which were strangely accurate when compared to the egyptian manuscripts in books. My family was quite freaked out. Over the years those poems turned into songs, and in the future I hope they transform into epic fashion or worldly articles and novels. I have come to the conclusion that I was Cleopatra in a past life. C'est fini.


TSP: Where do you get your daily inspiration?
BIANCA: Music, my surroundings, emotions (not just my own), conversations, reading materials, my personal muses, and MUSIC. Because it takes you places... the most random things actually. A tea cup can trigger something in a person - it's all a matter of perspective.

TSP: Being a student taking up AB in Fashion Design and Merchandising, how would you describe the fashion seen in the SDA?

BIANCA: A play on dualities. Vintage mixed with modern: from tight leggings to flowy tops to oxfords or the latest high tops. We make drab work but were also not afraid of color.

TSP: Who are your favorite designers both locally and internationally?

BIANCA: Lulu Tan Gan, Monique Lhuillier, Kaye Olfindo, Vera Wang, Giorgo Armani, Coco Chanel, Pierre Balmain, Kenzo, Ralph Lauren, Anna Sui, Cristobal Balenciaga.. the list goes on. At the end of the day we will always return to the classics, it is inevitable.

TSP: What are some of your favorite brands both locally and internationally?
BIANCA: River Island, Accessorize, Zara, Forever 21, Billabong, Aldo, Nine West, Vans, People are People, Pacsun, Topshop, Burberry, H&M, Folded &Hung, Rustans, Carrion, Six, Cotton On, and random vintage flea markets (favorite ones are in HK and Paris) or bazaars.

"She who does not mix it up will forever have a parched wardrobe."

TSP: What’s next for Bianca Yuzon?

BIANCA: Student Council projects, songs to record (found at http://www.myspace.com/oneiros), runways and streets to cross safely, rain forest and animals to save and model townships to be established (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=157033287836), auditions, manual driving lessons, countries to visit, friends to make, salad and frozen yogurt, Grammy nominations, etc. -- the usual.

TSP: Any message to the SDA students?

BIANCA: Mes amis,

You are all beautiful, so wax on, wax off and rock awnn.

I know it may be a challenge most of the time to get out of bed (especially for those who have long breaks and end up staying in school from 8am to 8pm), meet deadlines, finish plates, buy an endless list of materials..but remember, you are only given what you are capable enough to handle; and hot damn you are capable.

I'm sure we all know someone who can sketch, shoot, shade or edit to save their lives. It could be you and you may not know it yet, but hang in there and from the basics you are taught, you will begin to develop your own distinct style with your work. Dream big and believe in your dreams, attracting positive energy along the way.

For the graduating students, your memories will be forever etched within the hallways, computer labs, etc. You will take the world by storm and it won't know what hit it. Congratulations in advance.

Be thankful and use your God-given gifts well, uplifting your nation in your own way. You are all talented and ahh-mazing.

infinite x's and o's,

Bianca Y.