In a society wherein minorities are presented with lesser opportunities because of certain circumstances, the ladder of success is seemingly harder to climb. However, brought upon by the challenge of this arduous life is the irrevocable desire to take a step above the status quo. Hindered by a conservative stereotype or curtailed by imposition of being marginalized, these people have doubled their efforts against all troubles and shortcomings, and surged their way to their pedestals of success.
Find out how these individuals established themselves in their respective careers and fields in the midst of society’s typecasts.
Antonio Vazquez, Photographer/Model
Photo by Ricardo Yan II
After taking three years of Chemical Engineering, 21-year-old Antonio Vasquez decided he wanted to push through with his passion for photography. Recognizing that his love for the arts was worth pursuing no matter what, he dropped out of college and chased his dream of being an international photographer. With nothing holding him back, his passion and creativity helped him build a trademark for himself.
“For the people who feel like they lost their way, don’t lose hope. Find ways. You just have to experiment on your life. But don’t wake up every single day, thinking ‘What now?’ Just do it. You’re not going to lose anything. For me, that’s what I think. If I choose to do this, and it doesn’t end in success, well then, back out and look for something new. For any college student out there, if you feel like this isn’t you in your situation right now, already think ahead, because this is your life we’re talking about. This is not some college thing just to meet friends or the likes. This is something you have to prepare your life for. If you think this isn’t for you, shift and follow your heart. If it is for you, go and grow as an artist, as a person. Help other people. Don’t always forget to help other people. Grow up as a person, and like I said, wake up, and just do it.”
Sohan Motwani, Computer Programmer
Photo by Ricardo Yan II
Computer programmer Sohan Motwani has battled the limitations of his disability of being blind by consistently pushing the barriers of success. Battling the struggle of losing his sight at the age of 17, the Benildean web developer took his disability and turned it into his strength, and is now highly successful in his field, consistently winning multiple local and international competitions.
“It was not until very recently that I learned to accept my disability. It takes time. And until I did not accept it, I did not have the confidence to go around the campus. When I started accepting it, I tried. I told myself, “Ano ba naman mangyayari? Mawawala lang naman ako, ‘d iba? Ayun lang naman.” I’ll probably find my way. When you really muster that courage, you find that eventually people come to help you […] We need to accept whatever situation is thrown unto us. It’s not just about disabilities…we all have problems in life. Whatever problem one faces in life, acceptance is the key. It’s already there. What we can change is what is to come. We cannot change what has happened. I have to accept. I need to accept, and life will move on. And when I learned to accept, believe me, not one, not two, actually hundreds of doors opened for me. I think that’s a mantra for life. Accept whatever is thrown unto you, and eventually, you’ll find ways to get up.”
Sky Teotico, Trans Actor![]()
Photo by Ricardo Yan II
Sky Teotico, a self-made actor from Manila, is someone who took his talent and identity and brought it to the world of show business not only to make a name for himself, but also to push the envelope of storytelling in film. By being an openly trans male, he sets an example of success to other aspiring members of the LGBTQ+ community.
“Ayun ‘yung mahirap sa pagiging transgender, pwede mo naman tanggapin ang sarili mo sa katawan na nasaan ka. So triny ko ‘yun, triny kong i-embrace. Actually, na-embrace ko na ‘yung femininity ko, ‘yung pagiging effeminate ko. Kahit ngayon, ‘di naman ako ‘yung lalaking-lalaki. So parang iba pa pala kasi ‘yun. That’s expression. So kahit in-embrace ko na siya, hindi ko pa rin nararamdaman na belong ako. Ever since nag-out ako, sobrang happy, sobrang content, sobrang peaceful, as in. Eto pa nga eh. First day na nag-shoot, sobrang tahimik ko raw sabi ng partner ko. Pero sa akin, ang dami kong iniisip. At ‘yung mga iniisip ko ay “Finally.” Hindi ‘yung empty thoughts. Mas masaya na siya…na nararamdaman ko na siya deep inside.”
Zar Donato, Gay Actress
Photo by Ricardo Yan II
Up and coming in the indie film industry, Zar Donato, an alumna of Benilde, has recently set a benchmark of representation for the LGBTQIA+ community after starring in the critically-acclaimed lesbian movie, Billie and Emma. Overcoming the backlash from the typecasts that stemmed from her sexual identity, she’s achieved her goal of making a name for herself in the film industry and is on her way to become a devout advocate of her community through her passion for acting.
“I think it’s inevitable to have an experience with backlash from other different communities with opposing views with sexual identity. So ayun, what you have to do is actually just stand up, and you don’t bump into them but you actually show them that it’s okay to be who you are. It’s okay despite all this backlash from others. It’s okay to show them that it’s okay to be open with you are, and from there, everyone’s gonna actually follow. It’s not a fight. It’s basically accepting. Tolerance is different from accepting, but we can’t actually stop other people from tolerating since their culture is different. All they can do, for now, is to tolerate. But then, with a little bit more encouragement and we show more of them that this is how our world grows. That’s where the acceptance comes in. Society’s being more diverse now, and more accepting. Just know that there’s a really big support system from LGBT+ community.”
This article was originally published in The Benildean Vol. 5 No. 1: Emergence.
