Ivan Jay Ortega
Life and Practice
Ivan Jay D. Ortega is a College Instructor at the Dalubhasaan ng Lunsod ng San Pablo. Adviser of Bagong Sinag the Official School Publication of DLSP and the Founder, Adviser, and former president of DLSP ALIW, the first LGBTQIA+ organization in DLSP, an accredited member of the San Pablo Youth Development Council. A graduate Bachelor in Secondary Education major in English in the same school (DLSP), A youth advocate for gender equality and inclusivity. Currently the Finance Committee Head of the San Pablo Youth Development Council, Board Member of YMCA RINALI and the Laguna Provincial Director of Youth Advocate for the Philippines Region IV-A. Former president of Elite Circle of Student Leaders CALABARZON and Editor-in-Chief of CALABARZON Association of College Editors (CACE). A volunteer member of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) and Education USA under the US Embassy.
Perspective
In the field, near the lake, in a forest, and in the school, I found ways of overcoming my situation being confined in the four corners of my room through a VR Box. From that moment on, I felt freedom again. These pictures are screenshots from when we took a video in our coconut field. The kid me that was lost. I was so conscious with myself since I’m not used to being in front of the camera. I am more comfortable when I hold my camera since I am a photojournalist. This was also the time when I didn’t really know what I was doing but thankfully, my friends were there to encourage and guide me. In the end, I am happy with how the output turned to be. I was pushed to my limits.
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