The Multimedia Arts (AB-MMA) program set the 10/F of the Design and Arts (D+A) Campus ablaze on Nov. 20, launching Incadescent: HEATWAVE—a portfolio exhibit that turned the works of 72 graduating Benildean students into a full scale creative surge. Reshaping the space into a dynamic showcase, the event presented a collection of creative work across 3D animation, video production, graphic design, and video editing.
Serving as the vibrant prelude to the program’s awarding ceremony on Nov. 21, the winners for each multimedia award category are:
Best in Photography - Yobhel Valenzuela (ID121)
Best in Video - Miguel Lorenzo Cruz (ID120)
Best in Graphic Design - John Gilbert Escorial (ID122)
Best in Illustration - Juan Miguel Ayco (ID122)
Best in 3D - Joan Neriz Revuelta (ID122)
The Best in Portfolio was presented to the top 3 students, including:
Top 1 - John Gilbert Escorial (ID122)
Top 2 - Azlina Santos (ID122)
Top 3 - Miguel Lorenzo Cruz (ID120)
The exhibit opened its doors for an immersive journey into the students’ creative processes. The showcase blazed from Nov. 20 until the 22nd, and gave Benildeans and art-enthusiasts three days to step into the wave, feel the fire, and witness firsthand the work of a batch determined to burn bright.
The heat is on
The air crackled with anticipation as the hosts welcomed guests, declaring the event a space to “inspire, move, and spark” a creative fire within. The ceremonial ribbon cutting officially unleashed the heatwave, and it opened the floodgates to a field of stories by the College’s diverse artists.
Guests then flowed into the main exhibit space, where the theoretical “heatwave” became a tangible reality. The 10th floor buzzed with conversations as visitors navigated a labyrinth filled with blazing artwork, from the meticulously rendered worlds of 3D animations to the compelling narratives of paintings. The vibrant pulse of the event was palpable, a true testament to an entire journey of burning creativity condensed into one incandescent display.
Behind the spectacle was a vision carefully forged, to bridge student creativity with the professional world. Joseph Bamba, an ID119 MMA student and the creative director of the exhibit, shared the core concept, stating, “‘Burning passion’ talaga kasi, ‘yun na ‘yung mismong keyword nung exhibit.” This intent materialized into an exhibit designed as a vital springboard, one that invites the public and industry insiders to witness and acquire the artists’ works.
Passion burns bright
Bamba emphasized the burning passion this batch offers, using heat as a metaphor for creativity. “Since we were transitioning from Momentum [last term's theme], which uses waves, it's very calm, gusto namin ng contrast. So, we were thinking, ano ba ‘yung magiging contrast from waves and the calmness? Siyempre ‘yung heat, surge of passion.”
He shared how each term, students try to surpass what the previous batch had accomplished, a drive that encapsulates the fiery and passionate vision of Incandescent. An eagerness to ignite new ideas and create something more daring than before.
With this vision in mind, Alyssa Tabungar, an ID122 MMA student, interprets this theme as if it was the drag scene, exhibiting a captivating photograph as her final piece. Having been deeply connected in the drag world through her close friends and her interests, even assisting them, she sees the intense preparation, creativity, and dedication that’s being put into the art.
“They do everything I love doing, which is makeup, dressing up, fashion, performing, or dancing in general. And non-drag fans don't know that it's so hard to do drag. They thought, ‘Oh, it's just makeup, and then you're just gonna lip sync, and then just perform, and that's it.’ But no, if you saw what's behind the scenes of how they prep, they prep for more than four hours,” she explained.
Passion comes from different places, as Andre Senar, an ID122 MMA student, took inspiration from his interest in graphic design and illustrations, creating a playful illustration of a landscape in a pixelated manner titled “The Light.”
Whether through drag, graphic design, or other forms of expression, each student assimilates their unique interests and experiences into their work.
Inspiration sparks anew
As for the viewers, they saw this as a beacon of light that ignites the spark of creation. Marie Roque, an ID122 student from the Industrial Engineering (BS-ID) program, shares that being surrounded by such visionary creatives keeps her inspired and participate in events like these. “Ang refreshing pa rin niya sa akin every time pupunta ako. Laging may bago. Laging, parang hindi nawawalan ng ideas.”
Francezca Airoso, an ID122 Business Management (BSBA-BM) alumnus and former Benildean Press Corps Art and Design Editor, shared how immersing herself in the works of such imaginative peers reignites her own creativity, something her program rarely allowed space for. “I think what's good about being surrounded by artistic people is it pushes you to be more artistic yourself, to try to explore different mediums, to try to explore different styles, and get to know your creativity as well.”
The surge has subsided but the embers remain, glowing with the promise of what’s to come. Incandescent: HEATWAVE was the spectacular flashpoint, the moment a generation of Benildean artists chose to burn bright rather than fade away.
As the final visitors stepped away from the luminous displays, one truth remained, searing, and absolute: the fire has been lit, and it will not be extinguished.
