A LITTLE ABOUT ME
From as early as I can remember, I’ve been captivated by the act of creating. Whether I was sketching, filming, designing, or simply imagining new ideas, I found joy in bringing something to life from nothing. It wasn’t just a hobby, it was a process I fell in love with.
Drawing was my first love, but as I approached college, I knew I wanted more than just a passion project—I wanted a career path that would equip me with real-world skills and open doors right after graduation. That clarity led me to apply to Dawson’s Animation program and John Abbott’s Graphic & Web Design program. I was waitlisted at Dawson, but accepted at Abbott-and looking back, it was the best possible outcome. The experience not only introduced me to some of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met, but it also helped me discover who I am—not just as a designer, but as a person.
If I had to name my greatest strengths, two come to mind: my ability to connect with people, and my relentless work ethic. If you asked anyone who knows me to describe me in a sentence, you’d probably hear: “Ben? He’s a social butterfly.” That nickname, first given to me by my teacher Belinda, has followed me ever since. I thrive in conversation. I believe that human connection is one of the most important needs we have—and I love feeding that need, both in myself and in others.
My persistence, on the other hand, comes from my roots. My parents immigrated from the Philippines 25 years ago, chasing a better future for our family. My mother worked three jobs. My father worked two. In our household, laziness wasn’t in the vocabulary. As the eldest of three boys in a first-generation family, there was a standard I had to meet and I embraced it.
That drive only deepened during my first year at Abbott. I didn’t own a laptop or computer at home, so I stayed in the campus labs late into the evening to finish my work. In those quiet hours I found something unexpected: peace. I discovered how much I valued solitude, and how focused and efficient I could be when fully immersed in my craft. I never minded staying late because I believed in what I was building.
Looking back, I see now that creativity isn’t just something I do—it’s part of who I am. And every obstacle, every late night, and every conversation has helped shape the creative, the communicator, and the person I continue to grow into.
