For the past two weeks, I have been working on my first painting competition piece for LRTArt2017 which I finished yesterday, on the last day of submissions no less. I have never set foot on a Manila Light Rail Transit train before this project and so I knew I had to do some research and get the feel of the ride before I even start conceptualizing my entry piece. 

So on a gloomy September day, fourteen days before I submit the painting, I visited Manila and went straight to Roosevelt station and got on the train. I rode from end to end and back for a total of two hours, and It wasn't as bad as I thought to be honest. But I'm not going to dive into the details of my experience, on whether the car I was in smelled of accumulated sweat or if the next-stop announcements over the speakers were clear enough to understand (they were't). After all, this isn't a review of Manila commute, you're better off going on TripAdvisor for your rant-viewing pleasures. 

As for me, I people watched like I always do on public transportation, for two straight hours. People went on with their mundane everyday routine,  a woman laying her head on her backpack and dozing off, but gets up just in time for her stop. A man in flipflops with two plastic bags in between his feet as he effortlessly balanced himself without clutching the handrails. A student, probably on his way home, watching me film the entire thing. I loved people watching, even on gloomy days. Especially on gloomy days. 

The theme of the competition, "LRT: Sasakyan ko sa Magandang Kinabukasan" (LRT: My Ride to a Brighter Future) was a challenge to ponder on. But by the time I got home I already had a concept in mind. The idea was already brewing in my head before I even arrived in Manila, but the train ride helped patch it all together. Pictured below is a black-and-white shot of my finished painting (Not posted in full color while competition judging is still ongoing). Here's the actual explanation I wrote along with my entry: 

The painting portrays a scene of a child in uniform waiting on the LRT platform and envisioning himself in the years to come as a professional stepping out of the train. In the simplest way, the composition depicts the determination of a young school boy in reaching his goals, as well as the importance of the journey getting there. 

Wish me luck!