Momentum: Rising Tides exhibited the portfolio pieces of 72 graduating students from Benilde’s Multimedia Media Arts (MMA) program. A testament and celebration of the collective creative effort of these graduating Multimedia Arts students, the exhibit ran from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 at the East Atrium of the Shangri-La Hotel.
Hosting a variety of works, Momentum brought the limelight to the artistic journey of these graduating students. In line with the theme, the collection emphasized the growth experienced by each artist, embracing and celebrating their effort to push their works forward.
ID121 MMA student and the exhibit’s Creative Director, Ellice Hernandez, gave a deep dive into the exhibit’s theme in her interview with The Benildean, “Much like a drop of water, the beginning of their journey, their ideas and concepts may seem small but it eventually builds and evolves, growing more impactful the more they hone their craft.”
Crafting narratives
The exhibit officially opened with a speech from Ms. Katrina Juane, the chairperson of the MMA program, congratulating the graduating creatives on the culmination of their hard work.
“The theme of this exhibit shows what we’ve seen over these past 25 years—a rising tide of creativity, skill, and vision. Our students today are the result of years of learning, and collaboration, all fueled by the dedication, and passion that have always been at the heart of this program,” Ms. Juane highlighted in her speech.
Following her speech was the introduction of keynote speaker Jacob Banog, an ID119 MMA alumnus. During his speech, Mr. Banog recounted his own experiences as a student creative, sharing his insights on the importance of a portfolio in the creative industry. In his speech, he emphasized how an artist's portfolio is an extension of the artist, serving as an introduction to who they are, and how important it is to problem-solve through design.
Next on stage was ID121 MMA student Micha Torres, who played violin covers of the songs “I Will Survive,” by American singer Gloria Gaynor, alongside hit songs “Mama Mia,” and “Dancing Queen” by the band ABBA. Weaving her way through the crowd, she brought her energy and passion to the crowd, elevating the atmosphere.
From concept to canvas
A walk through the exhibit exposes the viewer into the individual creative mindset of each artist. Making use of different mediums, each artist’s work highlighted their journey, as emphasized by Hernandez, “We wanted to emphasize the students’ journeys as creatives and how they were able to come up with the work they deemed best for the exhibit. [...] [and] We wanted to highlight these students' dedication, innovation, and resilience that brought this exhibit to life.”
In her interview with The Benildean, ID120 MMA student and exhibitor Francesca Alyssa Rinen, gave further insights on the journey of her work, “What inspired me were the little glimmers I found, or that found me every day, but most of all, it was the people I got to be with.” When asked about what she wanted to highlight through her portfolio, she shared that “My portfolio is a reflection of my efforts and the joy I find in creating, with the hope that it resonates and encourages others to pursue their own creative paths.”
Similarly, fellow exhibitor and ID120 MMA student Silvio Benedicti Sile shared how he initially had difficulties with his portfolio, “It lacked something, and that was my niche. It was difficult in the beginning to look at other’s work and see how they have their own unique styles and purpose.” Eventually, his journey started to bear fruit as he began to further integrate his interests into his design process, “[...] sticking to what I liked the most with automotive design, it was a stepping stone in branching out to more ideas.”
Lighting a creative spark
As the exhibit drew to a close, Hernandez emphasized that the event serves as a testament to the hardworking passion of each student’s work, showcasing how creative journeys start small but are steadily built over time. It also marks a significant milestone in artistic development and highlights the evolution of students as they prepare to enter the creative industry.
Expressing her hopes for the Benildean community and the general public, Rinen highlighted that “Momentum doesn’t end here. Creativity is alive, and everyone has the capacity to inspire and be inspired,” encouraging attendees to recognize their potential for creativity and inspiration.
Sile also shared his aspirations for those viewing the exhibit, urging them to “Keep pushing the boundaries of what has been established” and to foster a mindset of perseverance while rejecting complacency. This resonates with the overarching theme of Momentum: Rising Tides, which celebrates not just individual achievement, but also collective growth within the MMA program.
With each portfolio reflecting the personal stories of growth and resilience, Momentum: Rising Tides served as a powerful reminder that every artist’s journey contributes to a larger narrative of collective creativity that inspires future generations. The exhibit left an indelible mark on both participants and visitors, reinforcing the idea that creativity is an ongoing journey–one that thrives through dedication, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of innovation.
Ride the Momentum: Rising Tides’s wave of creativity by diving into their Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
