In Cebu, teacher gives students creative freedom to direct grad pics

Michael John Gedy reveals his mode of transportation in going to school during the creative graduation shoot. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

CEBU CITY— How’s this for creative freedom?

A Senior High School teacher and owner of a design studio gave his students the chance to direct their graduation pictures.

It resulted in 11 photos, which featured poses revealing gender identity, environmental decisions, love for the arts and social media preference.

Cristano Etorma, a visual arts teacher at the University of Cebu-Main Campus in Cebu City, said he gave his students the chance to deviate from the traditional graduation pictures shot in the studio.

This came after Etorma posted a comment congratulating the class’ top student, John Patrick Fernandez, for his achievements.

As other students saw his message, a deluge of requests came from them.

John Patrick Fernandez, or Patricia, the class valedictorian, chose this pose for his creative graduation photo. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

“They started commenting about how they would want to have a different shoot (for their graduation pics). Something memorable,” said Etorma, who owns Campo Santo Design Studio on Sanciangko Street in Cebu City.

This resulted in non-traditional graduation photos.

Etorma said he gave free sessions to the first 10 students who sent him a private message. The rest of the students were given discounted rates.

“These guys are creative. They came up with those hugot lines along with their chosen skills, identities and personalities as high school students,” he told CDN Digital.

These photographs were not used during their graduation rites but served as fun memorabilia for the students’ safekeeping.

Eleven photos of this creative graduation shoot were posted in the Facebook account of Campo Santo Design Studio on April 2, 2019. It now has 2,900 shares, 1,400 reactions, and 127 comments.