Art by Acuano Borines
Any trinket we have is more than just a possession or a display to hang in our bags. It can be a wonderful keepsake we can hold and a special kind of treasure, as many things can be attached to a single small item.
The corners of Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) – Main Campus’ Open Field have lit up once more as many of our EVSUnistas gathered for the Supreme Student Government (SSG) and Organizations Booth Fair aligned with the 22nd Charter Celebration, bringing creativity and artistry to life by featuring different kinds of small, cute trinkets that are famously known as “Anik-Aniks”. Aside from how well-made each of them is, many students are fascinated by these trinkets because they not only bring home the item itself, but also fun memories they made that day.
Jeralyn Gorgonia from the School of Engineering (SOE) happily expressed what she felt when she bought an anik-anik she found while roaming around the corner. At first, it was simply the cuteness it possessed that caught her attention, but the charm of the little knick-knack, coupled with its affordability, eventually convinced her to take it home.
“When I saw it, it was cute and affordable; that’s why I decided to buy it. And also, I bought this for memories; it’s part of my memory at this event,” Gorgonia shared.
Such memories often begin with something as simple as a passing glance at a booth. They leave the fair carrying more than tokens of the event, with a piece that will serve as a memento of the first steps they have taken in the university.
The one who operates, creates, and runs the booth also holds something worth telling. EVSUnista seller Lyle Daya from the School of Architecture and Allied Disciplines (SAAD) recounted her thought process as she started making her creations from scratch and eventually brought her creativity into the spotlight.
“When I make something, my main priority [is] to make it stand out and give it as much color as possible,” she said. “I like to incorporate a lot of cute and bold color palettes into my art style.”
Another thing that drove her to showcase her creativity in the public eye is that she enjoys seeing someone wear a smile made possible by her creations, hoping as well to be of inspiration to those who aspire to create their own artworks and bring into light the ideas they possess. It is also her way of connecting with them, which is why she makes each creation with the hope that it can spark the same joy and inspiration she feels when creating.
On the other hand, Lloyd Rocabo, a second-year Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Allied Disciplines student, viewed the same venture with a different reason and purpose. For him, money matters in these times, where every peso earned counts. He seized the opportunity to showcase his creations to somehow lessen the gap in his finances.
“Mahilig man ako ha craft, so naisip ko, “Mahilig man ako ha craft, so naisip ko, ‘What if mag-make ako para naman ma-help ako financially?’” Rocabo expressed.
The annual event of the university has just started, and the campus already exudes its identity as a welcoming university—featuring playful booths, unique concepts, and vibrant displays. Students and outside organizations who take part in this milestone of the institution contribute to the everyday light and warmth that linger until the celebration draws its curtain.
With time, memories take different forms, turning laughter into something to look back on one day and letting the air carry a scent of nostalgia. Because each fragment of joy, whether found in a whimsical design or something simple and plain, takes on a sentimental meaning for those who hold it close with tenderness.
Article by John Elemar Restor