SEQUENCE: Capstone Exhibit was a term-end showcase by the Multimedia Arts (AB-MMA) program, featuring selected Capstone projects that tell research-driven stories shaped by thoughtful creative decisions. The three-day exhibit ran from March 25 to 27 at the 10/F hallway of the Design and Arts (D+A) Campus of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, bringing together a diverse range of student works.
The theme, “Sequence,” was chosen to reflect how each step in a process contributes to a finished work, honoring the journey senior MMA students took throughout the program. Organized by the student-led group Extrakt from the Project Management for Multimedia (MMEPRMN) class, it provided a platform for the exhibitors to present their work to a wider audience.
“[We] aim for the audience to feel inspired and proud of the exhibitors and their fellow MMA students,” John Kenneth Orivida, an ID123 student from AB-MMA and Extrakt Creative Director, shared in an interview with The Benildean.
Featured projects included “BalikGabayan,” “Budol Fight,” “Kasya Bra?” “SakaSamahan,” “Intertwined,” “Payong Tindero,” “Sanina,” and “Piled Up!” Every work explores a distinct issue, seeking to address it through purposeful design.
Every step starts with a purpose
From digital media such as videos and websites to printed materials like journals, brochures, and guidebooks, the Capstone exhibit featured varied projects. Each was driven by a common goal: to inspire audiences to pause, reflect, and immerse themselves in knowledge made digestible.
“Sanina: Threads of Pre-colonial Visayas” explores pre-colonial Visayan clothing, offering a fresh perspective on traditional Filipino garments while preserving the stories woven into each piece. Designed for international tourists, “Sanina” presents Visayan culture through its website, leaflets, and souvenir magnets. Beyond presenting the past, it also supports partner organizations that continue these traditions.
“It was so endearing kasi when they saw our project, they said, ‘Oh, that’s what I usually wear,” Claire Chua, an ID123 student from AB-MMA and member of “Sanina,” shared in an interview with The Benildean as she reflected on a focus group discussion with experts on the topic.
“It was nice to actually connect with the community who are currently working on the advocacy,” Renee Castro, another member of “Sanina,” added.
Relatable to today’s generation, “Intertwined” explores modern romance and offers an open approach to navigating relationships. It highlights the shift from traditional courtship to dating apps, offering accessible insights into building and understanding connections. Targeted at individuals aged 18 to 23, “Intertwined” uses a website, infographics, and comics to explore digital courtship in the Philippines and encourages self-reflection.
Amplifying the voices of farmers, “SakaSamahan” focuses on the challenges they face and encourages them to unite through cooperatives to improve profitability amid declining palay prices. With farmers as its primary audience, it features printed materials such as a guidebook and brochure that simplify government processes and registration, alongside a video featuring farmers in Pampanga who persevere as pillars of the agricultural sector.
The drive to keep moving forward
These projects began as ideas and were shaped by passion. Despite three demanding terms of research and execution, each team remained driven not only by their commitment to the topic, but also by the people they came to understand more deeply through the process.
Juliana Polancos, an ID123 student from AB-MMA and member of the project, “SakaSamahan,” shared with The Benildean that the project opened her eyes to the often unseen challenges faced by farmers. Despite not being in the world of agriculture, their team‘s research and interviews with farmers deepened her understanding and inspired her to ensure that the project conveyed their stories.
As seniors, they expressed that completing their Capstone projects marked the culmination of their journey at Benilde. “We were really able to apply everything that we learned throughout the years in MMA into our project,” Jessica Gaw, an ID123 student from AB-MMA and member of the project, “Intertwined,” shared with The Benildean.
Where the journey continues
While initially drawn in by the creatively executed mediums, Benildean visitors left the exhibit with a common takeaway: at its core, art and design play a vital role in conveying messages that both inform and inspire.
Nik Deloso, an ID123 student from the Animation (AB-ANI) program, was particularly drawn to “Budol Fight," an educational board game paired with a website promoting responsible consumer habits. “[The project] led me to understand that the game was intricately crafted, balancing entertainment, art, and purpose throughout its production,” they shared in an interview with The Benildean. The same sentiment was shared by Santiago Hizon, an ID124 student from AB-MMA, who said, “Seeing a whole system and parang an interactive sort of project, it seemed really interesting and fun for me.”
Each project clearly communicated its core theme through its logos and overall design, as noted by Precious Faustino, an ID124 student from AB-MMA. He particularly appreciated “Kasya Bra?” a project that promotes the representation of plus-sized women and highlights their struggles in finding bras. Its bold visuals and imagery made the message easier to understand.
Through exhibits such as SEQUENCE, audiences are reminded of the importance of art and design, especially in today’s fast-paced world. Art creates stronger impact when conveying messages, and beyond its visual appeal, design carries a clear objective—to tell stories in a way that is both accessible and meaningful, evoking empathy and inspiring understanding across different audiences.
Support “BalikGabayan,” “Budol Fight,” “Kasya Bra?,” “SakaSamahan,” “Intertwined,” “Payong Tindero,” “Sanina,” and “Piled Up!” by following their social media pages.
