Embodying a decade of artistry, the Multimedia Arts and Design (MAD) Summit showcased its first-ever Alumni Milestone Talk and inaugural competitions, anchored in the theme “XTRAMILE: Creativity Beyond Limits” at the De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) Sentrum, May 2.
As part of the Alumni Milestone Talk, DLSL Multimedia Arts (MMA) graduates Jena, Charles Andrew, Dennese Lindain, and ShaggyBear shared their journey in pursuing the digital industry.
In an interview with Lavoxa Online, Kurt Reodica, also known as ShaggyBear, expressed gratitude in returning as a speaker for a valuable platform meant to guide the growth of creatives.

“It’s very overwhelming in a positive way na I’ve been invited as one of the speakers sa MAD Summit. Pagka sinabi mo kasi na MAD Summit, you’ll get something talaga as an artist. […] I’m very flattered na binigyan nila ko ng chance to share my game in the platform,” said Reodica.
Furthermore, the event also introduced its pioneering lineup of competitions, including Online Photography Contest, Digital Art and Photography Contest, and Traditional Art Competition.
Kim Jhazrel De Mesa, the first placer of the Digital Art and Photography Contest, shared why she used the Graphika Manila book featuring the sunflower her tutor drew, as it was one of her early inspirations to pursue mixed media artistry.

“Yung photo na ginamit ko was a photo of me holding my ‘Graphika Manila’ book, […] one of my biggest achievements this year kasi [na-feature dun] yung art ko. Yung nasa loob is a picture of a sunflower […] na ginawa ng tutor ko […] the reason why I wanted to draw in the first place,” said De Mesa.
Moreover, Miki also highlighted how events such as MAD Summit help students explore the diverse opportunities and career paths available to aspiring artists.

“I think events like this really help students kasi they’re exposed to different grounds that they can take in their careers. The more that they are exposed, the more that they have options, the more that they’re [knowledgeable] about the things that are possible,” she said.
Concluding the event, the senior batch of MMA students paid tribute to Lorna Achico, who pioneered MAD Summit as a final academic requirement to exhibit the artistic expressions of the students.
Reports from Marvin Caruncho.
