marina albarracin

UP Diliman BS Clothing Technology Student

[yna-the-iska]

Thank You, Ms. Kitty!

For a while, it was really hard to adjust to Ma’am Kitty’s workload. I used to really stress out about all the things we had to accomplish but I later realized that it was for our improvement as students and as designers. It’s rare to see a professor who really cares about the well being of their students especially with all the workload that they themselves carry.

Anxiety and Depression runs in my family and out of all the siblings, I was the one who got it in our generation. It’s not fun, nor is it something to be glorified. There are days that I wake up extremely nervous and extremely disoriented and by the end of the day, I just cry myself to sleep. There are days also were I break down over simple sounds because it makes my heart beat fast and since I more or less live alone, I don’t have much of a support system when this happens. I started having suicidal thoughts at the age of 6 but realized that I had the irrational fear of dying and being put in very uncomfortable situations that make me feel trapped (Thanatophobia and Agoraphobia) at the age of 9. This is one of the reasons I have a hard time opening up to people about how I feel, despite being such a chatterbox. 

I just want to thank Ms. Kitty for taking time out of our schedule to really focus on listening to us and giving us advice on how to help us live our lives. I really appreciate how she tried to make us realize that we matter and our grades are just a measure of how much more we have to improve and not of our self worth. Hands down to you!

[yna-the-iska]

Week Eighteen

This week was honestly so “ngarag” or in better words DRAINING. Other than my GEs, we had to catch up on the wardrobing and the CT 11 project filming for our video. I don’t really like to rant but since only a few people will ever read this, I might as well.

I understand that group works are meant to make us better people by strengthening our skills in cooperation, compromise, and PATIENCE but some people really feel like the whole world revolves around them. I won’t name any names but this one groupmate of ours kept complaining that we needed to send her the videos for her to edit but the script was incomplete and she did not film her part yet as well. So how did she expect to edit any clips with even herself not being filmed? So we complied and set aside all of our other matters to meet up on tuesday. On tuesday she arrives 10 minutes before the next class begins so it was totally pointless for her to go since ALL OF US WERE FINISHED filming our parts. We gave her till wednesday lunch time which she said she’d go to. So I cancelled all my lunch plans and moved them to the afternoon to adjust to her. When we went to the meeting area we waited 20 minutes before I get a message saying she had to process a medical certificate TOTALLY UNRELATED TO CT 11. She had all the time to do it but decided to skip our filming time to do it. But I was trying to be understanding so I gave her until the afternoon to drop by. In effect, I had to cancel all of my plans once again FOR HER and it made a lot of the people I made plans with upset but what could I do? I needed it for my requirements. She took FOREEEVER and she was so bratty about the whole thing. After filming, she made me walk all the way to the other side of the academic oval to give her the flashdrive because she said she was going to be late for her class. Guess what? When I rush to got to her classroom, SHE WASNT EVEN THERE. I just didn’t understand what was so hard about complying to protocols. And finally, for the submission, since she was to edit the video, SHE WAS LATE. That was the last straw for me so I told her in a professional manner that she had to submit the requirement, and informed her that she wasn’t and hasn’t been following protocol for the whole project. The reply I get? She swears at me. 

To be honest, it’s really in my nature to start a fight but I really just let this one pass after what I told her. I thought that the older people get, the more professional they become but I guess some people don’t? I learned that sometimes if people don’t comply, you shouldn’t be afraid to speak up especially if it concerns the whole class’ standing. Also, you should ALWAYS have a contingency plan.

[yna-the-iska]

Week Seventeen

This week is we discussed the client profile and creating concepts for them. As designers it’s important for us to meet halfway. Though we have many creative ideas for our client, we must always take into consideration what they want also. Client-designer creations are always a collaboration.

[yna-the-iska]

Week Sixteen

--- REST WEEK DUE TO ASEAN ---

So apparently, we had a homework that no one told me about no matter how many times I asked. This was why I submitted late. To be honest, I feel kind of bad how I always submit things late ONLY in CT 11. My resolution is to be a more on time student in my next CT classes and courses to come. 

[yna-the-iska]

Week Fifteen

This week, I did not go to class because I needed to rest. I realized that academic success doesn’t really mean anything when you’re not even acting like a human anymore. I was getting anxiety attacks almost every day (but none that were so so extreme. I had about 3 or 4 though, in the first semester.) which was really taking a toll on me. I felt alone and I really wanted to drop out and start over. On Tuesday, I went to the makeup class hosted by Katcy which was actually really fun. I learned a lot about colors and shapes in relation to my face and skin. 

However, on Thursday after the CT 14 class, I decided to sleep and catch up on rest for I had really not slept that whole week. I decided to study for my Kas 1 exam which, sadly, got suspended due to the weather. Oh well, SLEEP IS KEY AND I WAS HAPPIER AND FELT SO MUCH MORE ALIVE AND READY.

[yna-the-iska]

Week Fourteen

I was ON THE DOT ON TIME FOR MY PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION. I helped Ann with he Capsule Collection because she was out of the country by printing, binding, and pasting some entries in her capsule collection. Time Management is TRULY ESSENTIAL when it comes to making quality work. It’s not that I didn’t have the time to do it or the energy, I just think I work too slow which I want to improve on. ALSO, NOT SLEEPING OR EATING OR DRINKING ANYTHING FOR 2 DAYS STRAIGHT IS SO BAD FOR YOU. I did this and I felt like a zombie. This makes your stress levels so high. 

[yna-the-iska]

Exhibit for the Evolution of the Terno 💗 we created our own butterfly sleeves too ✨

[yna-the-iska]

Week Thirteen

To be honest, I felt kind of bad because we weren’t able to present our mini field work presentation. Our file was too big so I wasn’t able to send it to Ms. Kitty’s email, and I guess that I wasn’t adjusted to the college system where you have to email beforehand your teacher when it came to presentations. We made a video and everything. Comes to show that ignorance is NOT bliss and that curiosity doesn’t kill the cat if the cat asks first. Nevertheless, I was able to finish my FINAL concept board and my 30 draft sketches. I am hoping that Ms. Kitty extends our Capsule Collection deadline because I really want to submit quality work!

[yna-the-iska]

Week Twelve

This week, we did not have formal classes but we did the field work and the class project. I learned that it’s not easy to work with others all the time. Ours was due to time constraints, but nevertheless we made an extreme effort to push to create our product. It’s nice to know that not only as designers, but as working individuals, people will really work towards their end goal if they really love what they do. 

[yna-the-iska]

Week Eleven

For this week, I learned the reason why people wear clothes (credits to the Field work). There are plenty motivations of wearing clothes. As designers, I think it is very essential that we know the main motivations of people for wearing clothes. Without knowing, we’ll be making clothes just for the sake of producing; without giving much thought to who you’re making it for.

[yna-the-iska]

Week Ten

This week we did not meet due to the ACLE and also to give us time to do our sketches, field work, and to discuss our class project.

I learned that we really need discipline and good time management. As future designers, there will be a lot of times where we wont be doing much. However, that doesn’t mean that we should stop doing work. It’s very important (especially if you want to produce an excellent output) to always “work” or exercise your mind. Great ideas usually come when you least expect it.

[yna-the-iska]

Week Seven to Nine: CT 11

For week seven and eight, we didn't have class so I wasn't able to blog what I learned in class. However, I did have some realizations. (Brace yourselves for a very long reflection!!!)

The workload was heavy while Ms. Kitty was gone. I think it was partly my fault because I took for granted the free time I had to do other things. I’m not saying it’s bad to do other things, but I think my priorities weren't set straight. I would do all my other class work and forget about my tasks in CT. When it came to the day before the concept board draft deadline, I was going to work on my product but ended up falling asleep while doing the board. I was so pressured into finishing it that I got late to my 7am class, even if I was up by 4AM. It came to me that what I did, not only affected the quality of my work for CT, but also pulled down my other classes. 

Honestly, I was really thinking of whether or not I liked Clothing Technology still. I was meeting a lot of people who talked about their course and their direct impact on society afterwards; and I thought, maybe that’s where I’m supposed to be. I always wanted to make a difference in society and listening to people from Sociology, Economics, and all these big colleges made me forget that my course, Clothing Technology, makes an impact on the world as well. I feel embarrassed for considering shifting out of CT over this one small bump but I think it happens to a lot of us. 

When Ms. Kitty came back and gave the exam, all the more I felt like I wasn't fit for the course because no matter how hard I studied for the test, nothing was coming up in my head. I really tried to reflect on whether or not I was happy with what I was doing. I think it’s also because of how I am as an individual. I was forced to get into Engineering or Computer Science by my family; but since I picked a course they weren’t in favor of, I was told that I had to be the best in it since it had “no future” or that I couldn't “eat my profession.” Because of all the pressure from my family and expectations for myself, I really lost motivation to do anything for school. I’d do my work because I had to, and not because I wanted to. 

On our second meeting, we had to finish an extremely long reading. I actually finished the reading, but told Ms. Kitty I didn’t. Whoops? I got confused with the number of pages and the way it was stapled which made me think I didn’t and so I ended up embarrassing myself in class--I guess it’s okay because we all need moments to humble ourselves. When she was giving her sermon, a lot of things struck me. She mentioned a lot of things; “Don’t dwell on the negative stuff.” “Pull yourself together.” “Remember what you wanted at the very start, when you were applying as a CT student.” “If you think you’re straying away from the right path, force yourself back to it.” “It may be hard but you chose this for yourself. Don’t waste your chance.” From this, I realized how petty my reason for wanting to quit was. I began to understand that not everything came easy and that the start of the race is usually the hardest, since you’re still looking for the right pace to finish the race in. That sermon didn’t just apply to CT 11, or my GEs, but to my whole life as well. 

We can’t always have what we want, and that’s okay. We have to struggle in order for us to feel fulfillment, and be pulled back in order for us to shoot back--just like an arrow. The harder we’re being pulled back, the faster and stronger we’ll come back. I just hope that I don’t make the same mistake again.

(Sorry if my reflection is more diary type rather than applying concepts we learned in class but I think that character building is a more important topic to discuss rather than me trying to look for something in class to write down.)

[yna-the-iska]

Week Six: CT 11

For this week, we were only able to meet once but that did not stop me from being able to learn new concepts in that single meeting. Since all design elements and principles were discussed, we were able to apply what we learned through analyzing the collections of various designers. 

To be honest, I thought designers just “felt” their creations. In reality, they do much more than go by feel--which is to go by or against certain practices. It’s nice to see how each designer has a different way of translating their design philosophy with the use of lines, textures, harmony, balance, etc. 

I believe that I have gained insight on the various techniques in applying design elements and principles onto garments; which, hopefully, I can express in my capsule collection.

[yna-the-iska]

Plate #2: Translation of "Kalayaan" (freedom) into clothing—using white t-shirts.

[yna-the-iska]

Week Five: CT 11

For this week's class we discuss the principles of design. What struck me most was the definitions of both unity and harmony. I didn't know that it was possible to have no sense of harmony but have a sense of unity. I learned that for us to see unity in a collection or piece of garment, you must first understand the rationale behind it.

I learned that as designers we have to have a clear objective towards our designs with functions. I always find the process of finding inspiration for my concepts quite difficult but I learned that sometimes it's really like that. I learned that inspiration doesn't always appear in front of you, you have to look for it constantly.

[yna-the-iska]

Week Four: CT 11

In CT this week we discussed colors & textures in relation, once again, to fabrics and garments. I find it interesting how a variety of colors can be used in one garment, despite the possibility of the colors to clash with one another. I always thought that designers placed colors together by feel or by how it looks like. In reality, there's really a science or technicality to it like that of the color wheel. Hopefully, I get to have a more in depth understanding on the science of colors as my weeks in CT 11 progress.

[yna-the-iska]

Week Three: CT 11

In this week’s lecture, we discussed illusions and shapes in relation to garments. What really caught my attention and interest was how details, no matter how big or small, could affect the way you perceive someone’s mood, personality, and values. Because of this, a stranger could more or less make a guess on what kind of person you are. Other than the aforementioned, the way you incorporate shapes and illusions into your clothes could somewhat determine the expectations people set for you. For example, if you dressed in loose clothes that have rugged abstract shapes, people will expect different things from you as compared to a person who is wearing tailored clothes. As a future designer, I aspire to create pieces that will properly express how my clients feel based on the psychology of illusions and shapes.