Genius Creatures: The Arts and the Artists

CEBU, Philippines - From the spirit of an art lover comes the most awesome force that one can only imagine. A keen observer is all it takes to be an artist. “To make your dream a reality, just volunteer your heart and the rest will fall in line,” says Erick Villarojo, the military man-turned-artist who now lives in his most ordinary way. He settles for a simple gesture but kicks off with a gut of enormous quantity of adrenaline to punch a hole in history. 

Although he is not new in the field of music, this young at heart lad has been lurking around not only to find new ways, not just to succeed, but also to share every little thing he has learned, as well. An Organizer and Tournament Director of major sports events such as Wall Climbing/Bouldering, Chess, Dart, Scrabble and Karatedo for three years straight, through thick and thin, he commits himself to the quest for new beginnings in the world of art.

An architect by profession, he is now into building new concepts in backdrop designing but never forgets where he came from - his passion for music and arts. A Grand Champion in 2007 of Cebupop Music  as a composer, first runner-up for Education International Congress last 2008 and a musical director for USJR’s musical play, a painter and a sculptor, a t-shirt printer , a wedding planner and a photographer, knows a little bit of magic tricks which he uses to entertain his students during siesta. More than that, this guy still involves himself in writing short plays and, hopefully, stories for film with the guidance of the National Artist Mr. Carlo J. Caparas. With all efforts to look into this new found jewel, we managed to ask him few Qs about his recent updates and projects.

TF : Where do you get your inspiration?

Erick: I always get my inspiration from God, my family and my friends.         

TF: Since when did you start writing songs?

Erick: I must’ve been in Grade 6 when I started writing song lyrics. But it was just for fun, at first. I didn’t know that that was the beginning of it. (He chuckles)

TF: What type of music do you write?

Erick: Any kind of music, ballad, novelty and religious songs.

TF: What can you say about BISROCK? 

Erick: It is okey to listen to Bisrock…as long as it doesn’t have any double meaning to pollute young minds. Hehehe  

TF: Do you have any projects on the way in construction or in music and art?

Erick: Yes…I have been very busy recently supervising in a construction firm. And in art, I recently worked on a Christmas stage play entitled “SATURNALIA.” I also am working on a Production and Stage Design for Childlink’s Musical Play, musical Jingle for two universities and printing t-shirts for TOYOTA.

TF: In songwriting, how would you rate yourself in this profession?

Erick: Well, I’m not too good and not too bad either, just fair! (chuckles)

TF: How do you manage to divide your time between Construction and Art? Now do you have them all connected?

Erick: I don’t know actually how I do it but at the end of the day, I find myself sound asleep after a day’s work out of exhaustion. I just love to work. There’s just so much of the energy and too much of the inspiration.

TF: What instrument(s) do you play and which do you play most of the time?

Erick: I love to play the drums, but piano most of the time.

TF: How did you meet Carlo J. Caparas?

Erick: I have attended his workshop in Komix Karavan and earned a certificate for it. That’s because I really love to draw, sketch and paint.

TF: How do you manage to keep up with your strength in each work?

Erick: Ahhh! That’s a pretty tough question. You’ll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have. I’ll have to keep up with the pace and remain tough.

TF: In writing a song, which for you comes first, the melody or the lyrics?

Erick: For me, melody comes first before the lyrics. But I can’t deny that there are times when music and lyrics go together, from start to finish.

TF: How different is it when writing a screenplay from writing a song?

Erick:  Basically, they are artistically the same. The conceptualization of your storyline from start to finish must not be taken for granted. Screenplay involves a lot of details from camera setting to production designing. You also have to consider the actors’ reasoning and their respective points of view; paying attention to every conceivable detail of the script. Writing a song on the other hand, is simply making sure that the melody and the lyrics that you have created are working together in perfect harmony with a TOUCH OF ART!!

TF: Do you have any group or an organization created?

Erick: Yes, but it’s not an organization actually, it’s just the name of our team, “Genius Creatures”. We are a Team Builder actually and our motto is to help everyone in need — as always!

And for all of you dear readers who may be inclined to various arts — music, design, architecture, painting, stage play or songwriting — should you be interested to join  “Genius Creatures,” call 09219186544, 09234808418, 09096065085, 09157033482 or 4164804 and look for Erick or email frederick_villarojo@yahoo.com.