How to look at contemporary art

A good friend and fellow museum professional and I started museum/gallery hopping two weeks ago. Both of us have been away from the Philippines for a while (I for over three years!) and we thought that this would be a great way for us to get re-introduced to the Philippine art scene.

Our recent adventures have taken us to several contemporary art spaces around the metro. I have probably  been to hundreds of museums and seen thousands of art works. But I still get confounded by contemporary art!  I would often ask myself "what am I looking at?" or "what does this mean?". Don't get me wrong, I appreciate contemporary art and most often than not, I am intrigued by them (and the artists who create them). But sometimes I just don't get it!

Postcard collection...

I have been collecting postcards since 2001. I normally buy a postcard of a place/city I visit and then mail them home to my parents. I also buy art works postcards from museums I visit, simply because I cannot afford to buy reproductions of all the works that I like.

Today, I found a new reason to collect postcards of artworks. I was at a meeting with the Education Director at the Harn Museum - a seasoned art educator. At some point during our animated conversation, she showed me a stack of postcards that she collected and use for teaching art.

What a great idea!!!

So now, I have a better reason for collecting postcards, and YOU can help enrich my collection by sending me a postcard, or two or three :) from a museum that you visit. Let me know if you want my mailing address. 

I would love to receive postcards from all over the world!!!

Spring break

I recently discovered some unexpected challenges in my graduate school funding. It turns out that I have a whole summer (2010) without any funds -none from Fulbright and none from the university. My Fulbright grant terminates in Spring 2010, which leaves me with a whole summer and a semester without their support. I am still negotiating with Fulbright to extend some funds for me until summer 2010 even if I am not enrolled in courses, especially since the grant supposedly covers two academic years. Although Fall 2010 will require a lot of belt tightening, it will be a bit easier since I still have a graduate assistantship that will cover my tuition fee and half of my regular stipend.

For a couple of days, I have been waking up with a killer headache from spending restless sleep during which I am still constantly thinking of a solution.The practical part of me tells me to cancel all of my planned travels and activities and just save as much as I could in preparation for next year. However,I know that these travels also enrich me personally, academically and even professionally, and have been sources of inspiration for some of my projects.

And so, I finally purchased my tickets to New York City today. I will still exercise smart spending (as I always do) but will not let this impede learning opportunities. I am exploring other possible sources of funding for 2010 and looking at possibilities of engaging in a paid internship at a museum (which still requires approval from Fulbright). If worse comes to worst, I will give up my apartment in Florida and ask a friend to adopt me for the whole summer in exchange for a baby sitter, cook, arts and crafts teacher, researcher, graphic designer, photographer etc. for three months!

I recently told a friend, "Don't stress too much, it will all work out in the end, sometimes even better than you hoped or ever imagined." It's time I heed my own advice! I will consider this trip to New York as my reward for an excellent first semester! :)

Writing Great Resumes

A couple of years back, my Kuya (who is a voracious reader!) sent me an ebook entitled "Job Interviews That Get You Hired".The book was a good read, easy on the eyes and came with a lot of useful suggestions.


But what made me a fan of this book was its chapter on writing great resumes. According to the book, "The biggest mistake most people make in writing resumes is focusing on job responsibilities, instead of emphasizing accomplishments on the job." After reading the book, I gave my CV a complete make over!

I realized that when applying for a job or even a scholarship (yes I used some techniques from this book on my Fulbright application!), it makes a difference when we package or position ourselves in a certain way so our application stands out from the rest of the crowd. As the old adage says "always put your best foot forward" and this holds true even for your CV. 

Click here to download a copy of the book. But if you prefer reading a hard copy, you can order one from Amazon for about 12$.

Below is the link to Learning Express, which offers hundreds of other ebooks on a wide range of topics:

http://www.learnatest.com/LearningExpressEBooks/


I promise to write about my Fulbright, ACC and other scholarship application experience soon. For the meantime, enjoy exploring the site and what it has to offer!

Relationships

I was just exchanging messages via Facebook with a friend of mine based in Germany. I never met him since he has already moved to the DHL Global Office when I arrived at the DHL Asia PAcific Regional Office in Singapore. But nevertheless, we have kept in touch even now that I have moved on from the big red and yellow company.
He just commented on how amazing the power of Facebook is because he found a classmate from college probably from my friends list . And I agree, I think the internet, networking sites and chat programs have revolutionized how we create and cultivate relationships with other people now.

When I woke up this morning, I suddenly thought of these Dutch (twins) friends of mine who have been my online buddies since 1999. In the nine years that we've been "friends", we've exchanged e-mails, letters, cards, spoke online and kept very well updated on what's happening with each of our lives (well, they live together as they are brothers so that's easy for them). But we have never ever had the chance to meet in person... not yet at least.

They are planning to visit Manila this December to meet up with their other Filipino friends. Sadly, I won't be there to see them. If I continue with my plan to go to Europe (keeping my fingers crossed) next summer, they won't be there either because they plan to spend a year traveling in Asia. But no worries, I'm sure we'll still be in touch, that's what the internet is for right? And eventually we will get to see each other and fulfill my dream of running across fields of tulips in the Netherlands hahaha - they will serve as my look-outs for angry farmers with pitchforks!

California for Christmas

It's final - I'm going to California for Christmas!!!

After hours of hunting for the best price online (and with lots of help from Keso and Mynen), I finally purchased my ticket this morning.Since I cannot fly to Manila this Christmas, this is the closest to "home for Christmas" I could get - spending it with very dear friends.

Copy paper

Last night I was talking to Carmel and we were discussing some words we use in the Philippines and their counterparts here in the American English language. You see, it's quite common for Filipinos to use the most popular brands of products as names of the items. For example, "cutex" for nail polish, "frigidaire" for refrigerator, "mighty bond" for super/ instant glue, or "xerox" for photocopy, just to name a few.

Add in the fact that I have to unlearn the British English terms (i.e. lift- elevator, rubbish- trash, serviette- table napkin, queue- line-up, torch- flashlight) I picked-up while I was living in Singapore for almost a year, Carmel predicted that I would eventually get blank stares when I look for some items here. Good friend that she is *sarcasm*, we went through (with her laughing throughout the whole conversation) a list of common items that are called differently in the US. 

Bond paper - Copy paper

Ballpen - pen

Pentel pen - marker

Stabilo - highlighter

Liquid paper - wipe out

Feminine napkin - sanitary pad

Oslo paper - card stock (although this probably not accurate)

Mighty Bond - crazy glue

Long bond paper - legal copy paper

Short bond paper - letter copy paper

Folder - manila folder

post it - sticky notes

back to blogging

After going on hiatus for almost a year, i'm back to blogging again.

I stopped blogging after I started reviewing for my GRE and TOEFL exams in November. However, after that, I got pre-occupied with so many other things including numerous trips in southeast Asia and exploring almost every corner of Singapore.

Since my last blog, I have added immigration stamps on my passports from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Macau, Hongkong and India. I should post some pictures of those trips online one of these days, except for India as I did not see any part of Mumbai aside from their airport, my hotel room and the DHL office!

Also, I've gone home to Manila four times already- one of the many perks of living in SG, so close to home. Once was on a first class flight on Singapore Airlines when my stupidity got the better of me and I was left behind by my original Jetstar flight. Lesson learned: never assume that you know your flight schedule unless you've physically checked your ticket a week before your date of flight. You could be wrong and one week is enough time to rectify the situation. Then again, two days before your flight, check it again because if you're anything like me, you might forget your time of departure! Blown my savings the past couple of month for the airfare ticket- 1700SGD!!! A very expensive lesson indeed but at leat I can tick off 'fly 1st class' from my 'to do before i turn 50' list :) Plus it was next to impossible to get a flight to Manila during the Christmas rush. So rather than be depressed until March (i know i will!) because I didn't spend Christmas at home, I just decided to go home in style ;) There's nothing like Christmas in the Philippines I tell you!

Let's see, what else is new with me? Oh yeah, I'm already in Florida. Finally confirmed my Fulbright Scholarship to pursue my 2.5 year graduate degree in Museum Studies at the University of Florida! Thanks to all those who helped me move my mountains through prayers!!!

Reaching for the stars

One of the few perks of working at the Corporate Communications Team is the opportunity to attend cool events organized by fellow Corp. Comms. members. I had the privilege of meeting two very inspiring people at the last 2 DHL-organized events. And saw two encouraging signs for my future.

First was Illac Angelo Diaz. Yes the former model/actor, but that's not the reason why I am ecstatic about meeting him. He is the Philippine's 1^st National winner for the DHL Young Entrepreneurs for Sustainability (YES) Awards. He attended the regional YES awards in Singapore and I had a chance to meet him. This guy has impressive list of achievements- he earned his MBA at the Asian Institute of Management; was awarded the first TOYM Award for social entrepreneurship; went to MIT on research fellowship; and has now moved on as a research fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government!

But what's more impressive is the fact that he has put his skills and learning into projects that benefit our fellowmen. He established Pier One- no not the restaurant! This is a dormitory for Filipino sea farers. Another project he pioneered is the MyShelter Foundation- a non-profit organization which addresses housing and educational infrastructure concerns of rural areas.

As a Filipino, I was oh so proud when his name was called during the presentation of awardees at the DHL YES Regional Awards. Did I mention that he is still as dashing as ever especially in his barong tagalong walking down the catwalk leading up to the stage during the awards ceremony?

Oh and his fellowship at MIT was through a Fulbright-Humphrey award! Coincidence or serendipity?

The second stellar individual I met was Anousheh Ansari. She was the guest speaker at the DHL Leadership Dialogue Series held on September 12, 2007 at the National Museum of Singapore. Anousheh is a multi-million entrepreneur who made her fortune in the telecoms industry and was the 1st female private space explorer and 1^st space ambassador (yeah, you can now buy tickets to go to outer space!). Extremely inspiring woman! She dreamed of seeing the stars when she was a kid in Iran and she did! Talk about reaching for the stars.

Anyway, guess where she completed her master's degree? At George Washington University !!! Is this yet another sign for my future as a grad student under Fulbright? I surely hope so! Spoke to her and told her I was aiming to get accepted to GWU. She said to let her know if she needs to put in a good word for me. Is she just being polite? Heck, I don't care- she gave me her card and I will send her an e-mail to remind her of it. I hope it reaches her though. She's heavily involved in CSR for children, education, culture and of course, technology. This is like an opportunity presenting itself to me!

Again, I ask myself- coincidence or serendipity?

I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend these kinds of events. These leave you with such a positive energy and prompt you to do something significant with your life- to live not just for yourself but for multitudes of other people as well.

 

The Better Side of the Philippines

The following was written by INTEL General Manager Robin Martin about the Philippines :

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Filipinos (including the press, business people and myself) tend to dwell too much on the negative side, and this affects the perception of foreigners, even the ones who have lived here for a while. The negative perception of the Philippines is way disproportionate to reality when compared to countries like Columbia , Egypt , Middle East, Africa , etc.

Let us all help our country by balancing the negative with the positive especially when we talk to foreigners, whether based here or abroad. Looking back and comparing the Philippines today and 1995 (the year I came back), I was struck by how much our country has progressed physically.

Consider the following:

1. The great telecom infrastructure that we have now did not exist in 1995. 1995 was the year the telecom industry was deregulated. Since then billions of dollars have been invested in both fixed line and cellular networks producing a system with over 5,000 kms of fiber optic backbone at a world competitive cost. From a fixed line capacity of about 900,000 in 1995 we now have over 7 million. Cellular phones practically did not exist in 1995; now we have over 11 million line capacity.

2. The MRT, many of the EDSA flyovers (including the Ayala Avenue flyover), the SKYWAY, Rockwell and Glorietta 4, the Fort, NAIA terminal 2 and most of the new skyscrapers were not yet built in 1995.

3. If you drive to the provinces, you will notice that national roads are now of good quality (international quality asphalt roads). I just went to Iba, Zambales last week and I was impressed that even a not so frequently travelled road was of very good quality.

4. Philippine exports have increased by 600% over the past eight years. There are many, many more examples of progress over the last eight years. Philippine mangoes are now exported to the US and Europe .

Additional tidbits to make our people prouder:

1. INTEL has been in the Philippines for 28 years. The Philippines plant is where Intel's most advanced products are launched, including the Pentium IV. By the end of 2002, Philippine operations became Intel's biggest assembly and testing operations worldwide.

2. TEXAS INSTRUMENTS has been operating in Baguio for over 20 years. The Baguio plant is the largest producer of DSP chips in the world. DSP chips are the brains behind cellphones. TI's Baguio plant produces the chip that powers 100% of all NOKIA cellphones and 80% of Erickson cellphones in the world.

3. TOSHIBA laptops are produced in Santa Rosa , Laguna.

4. If you drive a BENZ, BMW, or a VOLVO, there is a good chance that the ABS system in your car was made in the Philippines .

5. TREND-MICRO , makers of one of the top anti virus software PC-Cillin (I may have mispelled this) develops its "cures" for viruses right here in Eastwood Libis, Quezon City . When a virus breaks in any computer system in the world, they try to find a solution within 45 minutes of finding the virus.

6 . Today a majority of the top ten U.S. Call Center firms in the U.S. have set up operations in the Philippines . This is one area in which I believe we are the best in the world in terms of value for money.

7. America Online (AOL) has 1,000 people in Clark answering 90% of AOL's global e-mail inquiries.

8. PROCTOR & GAMBLE has over 400 people right here in Makati (average age 23 years) doing back-up office work to their Asian operations including finance, accounting, Human Resources and payments processing.

9. Among many other things it does for its regional operations network in the Asia-Pacific region here in Manila , CITIBANK also does its global ATM programming locally.

10. This is the first year ever that the Philippines will be exporting cars in quantity courtesy of FORD Philippines. (I have an idea this article was written between 2001 - 2002, so this operation should have been on-going for the last 3 years or so. CYN)

11. The government is shedding off graft and corruption slowly but surely. This is the first time in our history that a former president is in jail and facing charges of plunder. Despite all odds, we are still pursuing the ill-gotten wealth of Marcos now enjoyed by his unrepentant heirs.

Next time you travel abroad and meet business associates tell them the good news. A big part of our problem is perception and one of the biggest battles can be won simply by believing and by making others believe. This message is shared by good citizens of the Philippines who persevere to hope and work for our country.


56,000,000 Filipinos speak, read and write in English even if we have our own national language. Speaking a second language takes a certain kind of unique intelligence.



PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO OTHER FILIPINOS!!!

All Because of PhilArts

I was invited to talk during the Annual Career Symposia of UP Manila. Every year, they would invite me and I usually go. The symposia, entitled "Eto Kami Ngayon", is aimed at providing freshmen insights into what life is after finishing their chosen course.

I was quite happy with what I wrote so i decided to upload it here.

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Hello future colleagues in the cultural field!
My name is Ethel Villafranca and I finished BA Philippine Arts major in Arts Management in 1998. I would have loved to join you today for EKN9 but I am currently in Singapore for a one-year internship with DHL. So, Tita Zeny and I decided to just write you a letter and she will read ala-lovingly-yours-Helen.

Please allow me to share with you some of the things I have been able to do because I am a BA Philippine Arts graduate.


•Immediately after my graduation in 1998, I was hired at Ayala Museum where I had successive promotions from being an Educations Assistant to Programs and Marketing Officer and finally as Supervisor for Visitor Services- BECAUSE I AM A BA PHILIPPINE ARTS GRADUATE.


•I received an Asian Cultural Council Fellowship Grant and
was able to travel to 6 different states- New York, California,Kentucky, Massachusetts, Chicago and Washington DC.        
and to more than 60 museums. And all these for free
BECAUSE I AM A BA PHILIPPINE ARTS GRADUATE.                                                                      


•I became an Intern at the San Diego Museum of Art where I had first hand experience on how museums in the US operate BECAUSE I AM A BA PHILIPPINE ARTS GRADUATE.

•I was able to contribute a section to a book published by Museo Pambata on Creating Education Programs for Children BECAUSE I AM A BA PHILIPPINE ARTS GRADUATE.


•I spent 3 years as Project Development Officer of The Robinsons Children’s Library managing the operations of the two branches, project management, program design and implementation, fundraising, PR and Marketing and some HR functions as well. It would interest you to
know that the person who replaced me as Project Development Assistant is also a PhilArts graduate, Jemma Zafra. I was hired by the Managing Director BECAUSE I AM A BA PHILIPPINE ARTS GRADUATE.

                                                                                                                   
•I was able to teach Major Arts Management Courses- Financial Management
 for the Arts and Project Management for the Arts- in
UP Manila BECAUSE I AM A BA PHILIPPINE ARTS GRADUATE.



•I have been invited to share my expertise and experience in workshops/seminars conducted by different cultural organizations such as NCCA, Ayala Museum, Lopez Museum and Museo Pambata BECAUSE I AM A BA PHILIPPINE ARTS GRADUATE.

•I was hired by DHL as the Internal Communications Coordinator for the Asia Pacific Region because of the skills and competencies I learned in my previous jobs which I landed BECAUSE I AM A BA PHILIPPINE ARTS GRADUATE.


•I have eaten gelato in Italy, crepes in France, fish and chips in London, dim sum in Hong Kong, chili crabs in Singapore, visited the Stonehenge, seen the Mona Lisa, was mesmerized Michaelangelo’s David, had a stiff neck looking up at the Sistine Chapel Ceiling--- Ok these things were not entirely BECAUSE I AM A BA PHILIPPINE ARTS GRADUATE.

•BUT, I did go ice skating at the Rockefeller Center, spent Halloween in Salem, Massachusetts, went window shopping in Rodeo Drive, drank tequila in Mexico, cried at the end of Phantom of the Opera in Broadway and tasted snow in my tongue ALL BECAUSE I AM A BA PHILIPPINE ARTS GRADUATE.                          
                                                                                                                                            
I have gone places, met interesting people, done some pretty cool stuff and enjoyed it all BECAUSE I AM A BA PHILIPPINE ARTS GRADUATE.

And with God’s grace, I will be able to pursue my graduate degree in Museum Education as a Fulbright Scholar in 2008 to 2009. I am almost there, I just need to get accepted to a university- and this is again BECAUSE I AM A BA PHILIPPINE ARTS GRADUATE.

If you stick around and finish this course, you are in for the ride of your life. There will be a lot of challenges along the way but if you think you have what it takes to become one of the pioneers in this fairly new field, then you have chosen the perfect course.



BA Philippine Arts is not just a course- IT IS YOUR PLATFORM TO A GREAT CAREER!

He never said "NO"...

I have just received notification that I was chosen as an Alternate Candidate for the Fulbright Program 2008-2009. There were 167 applicants this year and the Board approved 9 Principal Candidates and 3 Alternate Candidates. That’s about 7% out of the total number of applicants. Not bad huh?

So what does an alternate candidate mean? Well, we have been approved by the Board as candidates but, due to limited funds, are not guaranteed funding for our graduate degree unlike principal candidates. We can be upgraded to Principal Candidates if: (1) any candidate backs out for any reason (although I don’t imagine anyone doing that. I know I wouldn’t but hey I might just get lucky! Hehe) and (2) if there are additional funding that comes in.

The good news is that in the past 5 years, ALL Alternate Candidates went on to take their graduate degrees along with the Principal Candidates. This was achieved by encouraging all candidates to pursue studies in universities which offer grants or scholarships for their studies. This way, they don’t spend 100% on each individual candidate and gets the funds spread out to both Principal and Alternate. So now, it is crucial for me to find a university that offers my graduate degree program (Museum Education) and offers scholarships to students.

So now, just like the Principal Candidates, I go through the application process and submit all requirements to PAEF (Philippine-American Education Foundation, they facilitate Fulbright in the Phils) who in turn will forward my documents to the Institute of International Education (the US agency that arranges academic placement for most Fulbright nominees and supervises them throughout their stay in the U.S).

Right now, I am in Singapore for an internship with DHL Asia Pacific Regional Office. I am currently involved in CSR and Corporate Communications work. I just started this internship last week. I will write a separate blog on my internshp and the exciting new things I am learning everyday.

Another good news is that PAEF does not require me to go home to the Philippines and terminate my internship with DHL- in fact I was told that I can even finish it since school does not start until September 2008. I will be corresponding with them via e-mail or phone. I will just have to make sure that I submit all necessary documents to them way ahead of the deadline and attend a couple of mandatory seminars towards the end of May. We will also need to clarify if I can take the GRE in Singapore or if I need to go to Manila for that.

So it’s another round of prayers and begging from Him from now until the time I get accepted to a university.

I guess last year, when I asked Him for this Fulbright Grant, He did not say “NO”. He just said, “Ethel wait until you are more ready for it”. In the same way that 2 years ago, when I asked for the same DHL internship I currently hold, He also said “Later”. I suppose this whole experience with DHL and Fulbright is a lesson in patience and trust. And believe me, I have learned a lot!