Essay by Jogen Mil, Cebu City 

Easter, with its promise of renewal, growth, and boundless love, reminds us that every story is part of a greater design.

In this tapestry of life, the threads we weave and the knots we tie lead us in many directions. Yet through the hands of our Almighty Weaver, every journey, every pause, and every encounter with people becomes part of His divine plan. The rougher the tapestry, the richer its texture, for it tells of struggles overcome and lessons learned. And in the end, the intersecting colors and lines reveal a masterpiece — our shared journey, woven together by grace.

In 2024, I made a life‐changing decision: to return to art and commit to it fully — 200 percent. No more excuses, no more delays. Just focus, discipline, and commitment to the gift God placed in my heart when I was only seven years old.

I remember vividly sitting at our dining table with a Bic ballpen and a one-fourth sheet of yellow pad paper. I began doodling organic lines, shading certain areas, and connecting almond‐shaped forms until they resembled the body of a bird. I added its beak, then its wings in flight. At the top, I wrote the title: The Eagle Has Landed. In that instant, I knew I had discovered a superpower within me. The lines were polished, the shading near perfect. More than a drawing, it was a revelation.

Fast forward to today, this technique remains at the core of my art practice. With ongoing experimentation and expression, it has evolved into a distinct aesthetic that continues to define my paintings and body of work. It is my style. My signature.

But how did I become not only an artist, but also an educator, a Toastmaster, a gratitude advocate, and a champion of the growth mindset? To answer that, I must go back to high school.

During my sophomore year, my favorite English teacher, the late Mrs. Merna Lopez, introduced Speech and Drama — a pioneering subject at the time. I was thrilled. Public speaking had always fascinated me, and Mrs. Lopez’s way of teaching inspired me deeply.

My first speech, “My Most Unforgettable Character,” was about Pindy Handscombe, a girl I admired like a big sister when I was in Primary. I spoke of her kindness, her beauty, and the joyful afternoons we spent at the beach, just a mere 10 meters from our house. My voice cracked as I recalled the day her family returned to America. Mrs. Lopez was not only moved by my heartfelt effort, but she gave me a high score. That moment planted the seed of my love for communication.

My journey as an educator began soon after college, when I was invited to teach Photography at the UP Cebu Fine Arts Program. Photography had been my passion, nurtured by my late Aunt Julie, who provided me generously with equipment. Under my mentor Ms. Baby Madrid — my classmate then pursuing her art certification while we were completing our bachelor’s degree — I joined the distinguished Images Camera Club. Those years, alongside Carlito So and my peers, HocksonGo, Jerome Tanco, and Kinwing Lou, sharpened my skills and led me to win a top spot in inhouse contests, including placing 1st runner-up in a prestigious photo contest of a local publication organized by Bob Lim back in the day.

Recently, the celebration of UP Cebu Fine Arts’ 50-year legacy felt like opening a long‐forgotten treasure chest of memories. Watching the video presentation of different batches and honoring our professors filled me with deep gratitude. I owe much of who I am today to art luminaries such as Martino Abellana, Javy Villacin, Raymund Fernandez, Mar Vidal, Carmelo Tamayo, and national artist Jose Joya. Their guidance stretched my imagination beyond what I thought possible, teaching me to bring visions to life and opening the doors that led me to become a two‐time Jose Joya Awardee.

Behind all these milestones was the unwavering support of my parents, Joe and Ning. Even when others doubted the future of an art career, their belief in me gave me the courage to pursue Fine Arts.

That foundation of creativity and discipline later found expression in another chapter of my journey. I served the Bukas Loob sa Diyos Community through the Praise Music Ministry, offering my life to the Lord in song and worship. Looking back, I see how this was by God’s design — guiding my hubby and me as a young married couple in deepening our spiritual life together. One of the highlights of that season was being invited to sing as part of a back‐up choir for Don Moen’s first Cebu concert. To this day, he remains my favorite worship leader, and I still tear up whenever I sing his songs, filled with God’s anointing. It was here that my gratitude journey truly began. Through life’s struggles and victories, we learned to start each day by saying “thank you” — for blessings already received and for those yet to come.

All of this was preparation for a new calling: teaching. And what a transformative journey it has been since my first day at PAREF Southcrest, teaching Music and Arts, and eventually English, while earning my Master’s Degree in Education. This marked another turning point in my walk with God. Under the mentorship of Mrs. Stella Gonzales, I faced the most demanding aspects of teaching: leading the youth, collaborating with colleagues, and serving with passion for excellence. That training helped us develop self‐leadership, persevere with joy, and embrace cheerfulness even in difficulty. Every challenge became an opportunity for growth, shaping us to live as saints in the middle of the world — just as St. Josemaria taught.

To this day, I continue to apply the means of formation I gained from PAREF, both personally and professionally, grounding my choices in faith and striving to lead with purpose and grace. And just look where PAREF Southcrest is today — a formidable force in education, preparing our youth for transformational leadership roles in the future.

Another chapter opened when I was invited to head Tutoring Club Cebu. The best times were working with an incredible staff and team of tutors who transformed the lives of our students, helping them land in the best schools here and abroad. Today, many of these students are leaders making significant contributions in their own fields. I remain deeply grateful to the visionary owners whose trust and support made this endeavor possible.

Though the Covid-19 pandemic — an unprecedented disruptor of our time — cut short this chapter, I remain proud of where our tutors are now: shining as doctors, engineers, lawyers, and teachers. Through Tutoring Club Cebu, and with the seamless coordination of Mai Varron Ong and Deamboat Events, we organized Lakbay Lahi: A Heritage Journey — a vibrant cultural and educational event where I experienced the true beauty of collaboration in action. Little did I know that our invitation to Sir Jojo Gubalane to showcase Cebuano Arts Club paintings would, seven years later, lead me back to my first love — art. When the time came, Cebuano Arts Club welcomed me with open arms.

Together with Queen City Toastmasters Club, led by Wesley Barcoma and with the support of Distinguished Toastmaster Atty. Chappy Piramide, we organized Intersections: Visual Artists and Storytellers on Passion, Perception, and Expression. In this event, Cebuano Arts Club members shared their creative journeys in a panel discussion graced by UP Cebu Vice Chancellor Ms. Palmy Pe‐Tudtud. It was also the day we honored Sir Fred Galan with a Lifetime Achievement Award for the Arts — a moment that celebrated not only his legacy but also the enduring power of art to inspire across generations.

Just last year, with the guidance of international author and dear friend Kristin Lim, I launched my Grati-doodles Journal — a 21-day journey of thankfulness through art and words. Blending creativity with gratitude, its purpose is to enrich our lives with a deeper appreciation for the everyday moments that shape and nourish us, reminding us gently of the quiet beauty found in reflection.

Which brings me to where I am today — serving as the marketing, events, and special projects officer of the Cebuano Arts Club. I am immensely thankful to the founders, officers, and members whose vision, dedication, and camaraderie have propelled the club to achieve remarkable milestones. I am also back teaching art —  this time, Contemporary Arts to Grade 12 students. My heart is full, knowing that the greatest takeaway my students carry today is this: creativity grows when we dare to explore, try new things, and embrace mistakes as part of the journey. Art becomes the voice of our thoughts and the playground of our imagination.

Looking back, I see how God has already designed the tapestry of my life — leading me, thread by thread, back to art. Every struggle, every lesson, every act of gratitude has prepared me for this new season. Even when challenges push me to my limits and the light seems dim, it is divine fuel — strength that comes from God alone — that carries me forward and teaches me to trust Him. Anchored in that tapestry is the quiet strength of family — always present, always cheering from the background.

This conviction continues to be ignited — most recently during the soft launch of our coffee table book Tambayayong, held at the USC Engineering SEECON and RACCETCON International Conference. The book is the fruit of an innovative collaboration, brought to life by USC Publishing House, Cebuano Arts Club, and Ocean Pixel — spearheaded by impossibility thinker and catalyst Dr. Mike Abundo.

As Easter reminds us of renewal, growth, and boundless love, I’ve woven a new life slogan that captures the essence of my journey today:

Think like an Engineer. Create like an Artist. Give thanks like a Saint. And love like Jesus.