By DANIEL P. TAPAOAN, JR.

A ‘New Normal’ student unleashes his creativity amid a pandemic.

This was proven by Jan Patrick Guittap, a first year Bachelor of Culture and Arts Education (BCAEd) student of the College of Teacher Education (CTE), after portraying MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis using soil, water, and canvass.

Posted in his Facebook account on Saturday (May 16), Guittap said that he chose Dr. Agrupis as his subject because he believes that the latter is “a true-leader, an excellent researcher, and a mind-blowing New Normal president.”

The BCAEd student salutes the university president for leading the MMSU National Bioenergy and Innovation Center (NBERIC) in producing Nipahol (a 70% ethyl alcohol from fermented nipa sap) and rationing this to various agencies and communities in north Luzon.

“I looked at news reports to find an inspiration for my artwork, then I saw a news where MMSU was praised for producing alcohol amid this pandemic, and Dr. Shirley was featured on it,” he shared.

Admitting that he felt nervous and excited as he was doing the soil painting artwork for the first time, the student said he learned how to become resourceful and creative in these trying times.

With no enough painting materials at hand, Guittap resorted to using soil as his medium and an all-purpose flour bag as his canvass. 

“I was walking through our house when my white shirt was stained by soil, there and then, I came to the conclusion that soil is a good alternative,” he narrated.  

“My simple and humble artwork is all about giving inspiration, hope, and motivation for us to think and be creative in our works,” he also mused.

Guittap is one of the MMSU students who are struggling in the current crisis. Despite this, he continues to find ways to be productive. 

As of press time, his post garnered 239 reactions, 39 comments, and 33 shares. 

For her part, Dr. Agrupis thanked the BCAEd student for portraying her in his masterpiece. She also shared the student’s post and lauded him for his innovativeness amid the health crisis.

“I am touched and inspired by your ingenuity in overcoming challenges of this crisis,” Dr. Agrupis commented. 

“You are an epitome of a New Normal student; using soil, water, and canvass made you an amazing artist and teacher in the New Normal,” she added. (StratCom)