Wika Nadera, a graduate from the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA), has always been fond of making projects that embody the Filipino culture–from simple event posters, photos, and illustrations depicting the plight of the impoverished, Nadera has high regards for patriotism seen through his evolving perspectives through his art.

In the early days of his career, Nadera would always present himself as a graphic artist ready to collaborate with artists in need of publication materials.  “I’ve always been excited to create posters and other promotional materials for our school’s recitals and exhibits. Seeing the catalog of the previous shows archived in our school library inspired me to collaborate with my classmates from theatre, dance, music, and creative writing,” Nadera shares. “Oftentimes, I would volunteer myself to contribute to their events and learn from their diverse creative processes to integrate with my own.”

In 2019, he photographed 12th grade PHSA students who needed posters and promotion materials for their theses. Now a sophomore at the UP College of Fine Arts, Nadera recalls pulling off a professional photoshoot only by using different locations in their campus. “Our shoots were improvised. I was only able to take their photos in the different locations of our campus; this is  because of the limited budget.”

As an artist himself, Nadera understands the importance of respecting his subjects’ individualities.  “I had to be very considerate of their concepts because they were exploring different parts of themselves in their bodies of work while reflecting on their six-year experience studying on a mountain. As one of the visual artists in their production, apart from the set designers, I needed to be mindful and respectful in interpreting their stories throughout the collaborative process.”

For Nadera, collaborating with young artists and regular people is the most rewarding part of his early career. “Collaboration has been one of the most fulfilling experiences as an artist and a human being. It taught me how to coexist and empathize with others through creation at an early age,” Nadera shares.

“I believe that this is an important aspect in education that should be highlighted in academic institutions. I definitely see big improvements in the way the youth perceive art through collaboration.” he concluded.

Libulan

(Upper, Left to Right) Angel Ramos, Chin De Castro, Sophia Maunahan, Iya Desamero, Zaline Chavez (Lower, Left to Right) Lamuel Pulpulaan, Glycel Abatol, Eden Dumas, Nicole Tangalin, Carlo Señeres 

Hilom

Lyssa Azarcon (Choreographer) 

(Up to Down, Left to Right) Lyssa Azarcon, Gie Gie Forcadela, Kirzten Nogar, Crizza Urmaneta, Julie Cuison, Maepril  Del Puerto  

Medium Locum

Sophia Maunahan (Choreographer)  

(Up to Down, Left to Right) Alliah Torte, Ren-Ar Padole, Gie Gie Forcadela, Francia Alejandro, Gillianne Bearneza,  Nicole Tangalin, Jon Ferrer, Glycel Abatol, Eden Dumas, Arjay Albores, Lyssa Azarcon, Teresa De Chavez, Patricia  Perez  

Siyap

(Up to Down, Left to Right) Chin De Castro, Lamuel Pulpulaan, Maepril Del Puerto, Lyssa Azarcon, Angel Ramos,  Eden Dumas 

The Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA) is a public, secular, and non-profit institution established to provide and implement a general secondary level program, combined with a special curriculum oriented to the arts and geared to the early recognition and development of highly talented children exceptionally gifted in the arts, thus providing a continuing source of artists of excellence and leaders in the preservation and promotion of the Filipino artistic and cultural heritage. (Section 2, Executive Order No. 420).