I am Elio

By: Julius Bautista (Codename_Seleno)

 
     To be a kid is to be asked, “What is your dream job?”. My classmates raising their hands, “I want to be a police officer, because I want to protect my country”, some folks, “I want to be a doctor cause I want to take care of my family”. I asked myself what I wanted, and my wild imagination screamed art. I stood courageously and said, “I want to be an accountant,” and they praised me. I am Elio, lost in space, lost in my wild imagination, lost and wandering.
 
     I lived in the Philippines, where art is not a career or a source of livelihood, but only a hobby, a pastime, and some extracurricular activities. But what is the fine line between career and hobby? According to Down (2023), “Art is a passion for those who take it seriously and are dedicated to improving their practice.” But who would take you seriously in this socioeconomic status of this place? Children and women belonging to poor families, respectively, 9.29 million and 8.66 million (PSA, 2025). That is why some full-time artist undercharge the value of their art- to live and to survive. When did the art become a survival? This is why I am lost in space.
 
     In the article by Matitu (2023), she stated that middle-class Filipino households encourage their children to pursue a more profitable and stable career. In a low-income family, will find it difficult to sustain the expenses both parents and children who worry about their struggles financially. That would leave room for the upper class, those who have backups. This means becoming an artist is for those who have the means of art. I am lost in my wild imagination.
 
     In the current situation of the Philippines, which necessity is more important? Is art not a necessity? According to Winifred (2024), “Art is just as much of a necessity for human well-being as other basic needs like food, shelter, and belonging”. We are all fighting in this world to survive. We need art in life because we are part of society. With these events, is art considered a necessity? That is why I am lost and wandering.
 
     I am Elio, and I was a child with the wildest imagination. I am still living in a space where art feels like it was never part of history. I am lost in space, lost in my wild imagination, lost and wandering.
 

This is inspired by the Disney Movie: Elio- a kid, a dreamer, and a space traveler.

 (This article is not affiliated with anyone. This only reflects the opinion of the writer.)

References
Down, L. (2023). The Artist Within Asks is Art a Hobby or Career? Retrieved from Arts, Artist, Artwork: https://artsartistsartwork.com/the-artist-within-asks-is-art-a-hobby-or-career/

Matitu, N. J. (2023). Deconstructing the underappreciated local art scene in the PH: Why not art? Retrieved from Medium: https://medium.com/@matitu.noelynjoy/deconstructing-the-underappreciated-local-art-scene-in-the-ph-why-not-art-232a11e30e14
PSA. (2025). Poverty Incidence Declined from 2021 to 2023 in Ten Basic Sectors. Retrieved from https://psa.gov.ph/content/poverty-incidence-declined-2021-2023-ten-basic-sectors

Winifred. (2024). Is Art a Luxury or a Necessity As Well? An Op-ed. Retrieved from Prazzlearts: https://www.prazzlearts.com/editorial/is-art-a-luxury-or-a-necessity-as-well-an-op-ed