With an inquisitive eye toward such a promising art form, PUP COC's Advertising and Public Relations Organization of Students (ADPROS) released the first episode of their podcast, Between the Li(n)es, titled "Reflection of Reality: The Power of Artworks Impacting the Youth for Conversing".
Graced with their first guest speaker—Mr. Haui Sacay, an illustrator whose artworks were featured by Pitik Bulag and Creatives for Leni—the trends of social media, the press, and the arts were discussed.
Most students depend on social media as their primary mode of relieving stress from academic work. While most virtual platforms are vast and almost limitless, a metaphorical zoom in reveals that behind every piece of content and consumption—there is an actual person navigating the arts of the new age.
We often see editorial cartoons only in the newspapers, but everything changed when the pandemic struck the country. When media and art meet, what kind of masterpiece should we expect?
Lights, Camera—Art!
Many content creators, especially illustrators, post their artworks online, but what is impressive is that these illustrators create masterpieces that revolve around social issues in the country—one of them is Haui.
Alas, when the power of social media is maximized, art illustrates an eye opener to the masses and helps them to become responsible social media users. Being a dominant demographic, the youth tend to be more engaged in conversations concerning social issues that are represented through comics, editorial cartoons, or even animated short clips.
Interestingly, ever since Haui was a kid, he has been keenly interested in the arts, which is why he is now growing his own network in the field. Today, he is finding inspiration to guide beginning artists to promote their art on social media.
As unique as it gets, he expresses with his own style of getting engagements by employing satirical content, he reminds the listeners to always produce art with a keen sense of direction and purpose.
The Real Unity between Opinions and Interpretations
Because he posts artworks that depict reality, and sometimes real is not what people are accustomed with, it became his courageous way of telling the world how he perceives current issues.
According to Haui, posting different kinds of art that concern social issues, especially in combating disinformation is a tough battle, but at the same time it becomes a bridge to converse with different people with varying opinions.
As podcast Host Shaeka moved to the timely issue of social media's influence with people, Haui expressed that he refuses to blame misinformed people and explained that they are not the enemy—highlighting that our main concern should be directed to the sources and enablers of misinformation.
As the discussion went on, points were made on how an artwork can be tailored to debunk lies, or how illustrations can become a more inclusive way of conveying a message that everyone can quickly and freely understand.
Haui also stated that his works represent an artistic point of view on how the masses see a certain topic—and it boils down to the goal: to disturb and jangle the administration, for them to know that what they are doing is unjust.
What keeps artists like Haui going?
The legacy of the people who died protecting democracy—of being the beacon of truth and especially of amplifying the voice of the voiceless—and appreciation and respect for the long history of art were also reiterated.
Whenever the system is trying to silence them, he never sees it as a signal to stop. Haui recalled the strong idea that while art is commonly an individual pursuit, it still shares a denominator of collectivism with others.
"Huwag magpadala sa takot, laban lang. Mas malakas ang boses ng tao kapag sama-sama."
Despite labeling them as activists, which is not the insult people narrowly think it is, it does not halt them from doing their best—to achieve their goal.
Being a soldier of truth, he also experiences getting tired and feeling hopeless but he always remembers his battle cry from the hymn of the university he studies at—"Gagamitin ang karunungan, mula sa'yo, para sa bayan."
An artist with his heart ever fearless
Haui is one of the beacons of hope among our new generation of artists but he also hopes for something that will benefit his fellow ADPR students and other iskolar ng bayan—for artists like him to continue fighting against lies.
He also recognized that art and awareness do not become intertwined overnight as it takes growth and recognition to piece them together. Different organizations also helped him to open his eyes.
Conclusively, he shared how he treasures the PUP community the most because it is not just about the faculty and the students. The people outside the institution also belong to it because the people are his inspiration to keep moving; to keep fighting against disinformation.
Artworks are masterpieces that are created with a purpose: to serve the people. There are thousands of talented ADPR students who value their brand but more importantly, they see that valuing and establishing your brand needs integrity.
It is one of the elements of being a successful student because selling their brand is not the only thing that is important but also their image.
Quoting the last sentence from the host of the podcast, Ms. Shaeka Madel Pardines, the Executive Vice President of ADPROS, "Gamitin ang galing at talento upang makiisa sa mga hanay ng mga nananalig sa katotohanan."
Truly, as the first episode of the podcast series wrapped up, it is to be anticipated that in the coming weeks, more stories like Haui's will be shared. In partnership with Move.PH and #FactsFirstPH, the next episode in the 3-video podcast series will be aired on February 4, 2023 and will tackle a deeper conversation on conversing with friends or family who consume and share unverified information.
As we navigate a post-truth world, let us listen between the li(n)es and reflect on the different realities of media, youth, and the battle against the many unsettling facets of falsity. Are we ready to start one conversation at a time to combat disinformation?
Graphics: Hannah May Manalo
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