Gianne Xeniah I.

Nivera April 9, 2021

ANI12C Local Artist Talk Reaction

I was honestly SO excited for the talk starting from the day Ms. Kim told us that
Mr. Kevin (Tarantadong Kalbo) would be talking to us. I’ve been a big fan of him even
before his political comics began—he was an animator who drew about his frustrating
and memorable experiences working in the animation industry, and he was also a very
passionate and sincere person who only wanted to inform and change others through
his art. I have been following him for a while now, and it really pumped me up when we
were told that he was going to be part of the talk!
As for what I learned, one thing stood clear to me—just be yourself. After listening
to all of the artists talk about their work and how they rose to fame, I realized that they
all had one common denominator, and that was drawing what you love. When you think
about it, it actually makes sense! When you love your craft, it shines through your work
and process, which in turn is shown to your audience. When you pour all your heart
and soul, your audience feels your enthusiasm as well. I saw that clearly with all of the
artists’ works, especially with Mr. Kevin. I remember him saying something along the
lines, “My political art actually opened up more opportunities and job offers to me,
instead of the other way around.”
It really makes me relieved to know that it isn’t bad to be vocal about your political
standing, especially if you know that you’re fighting for a good cause. These past few
months, I’ve been feeling doubts about my protests—things like, “I’m overreacting,” and
“I’m focusing too much on negative news,” come up in my mind as I review the posts
I’ve been sharing and talking about. I have also been comparing myself to my classmates
and seeing how they go through their lives without being vocally active in the political
state of our country. I kept thinking, “Is this really worth speaking up for?”.
And you know what? It is. Who cares if I’m the only one who cares too much?
Who cares if I’m too passionate? Who cares if I love my country too much to the point
that I would fight for it? No one, and I mean no one. If there’s one thing I’ve realized
after listening to these artists, it’s not caring about what other people think. Do what you
want to do, feel the emotions you want to feel, and use that fire to fuel your passion in
creating your works. That’s what it means to be an artist.