When a friend decides to pursue a dream—to take the vision and hope they have carried quietly in their heart and try to bring it into the world—it stirs something in me.
I feel a deep and unwavering urge to stand beside them, not because I have all the answers, nor because I can promise them success, but because I know how brave it is to try—with all the fears and uncertainties and, in truth, how lonely that road can sometimes be.
Supporting a friend’s dream isn’t always glamorous. It rarely involves dramatic speeches or Instagram-worthy moments. More often, it’s in the quiet gestures—helping them rehearse their pitch for the nth time, staying up late to listen to their doubts, sending them a job posting that matches their passion, or texting “You’ve got this” just before a big interview.
Or, in my case, writing about their triumphs. There are few things more fulfilling than witnessing someone you care about step boldly toward their dreams.
I know a journalist friend, Dexter Matilla, who pursued his artistic dream and is now part of a group exhibit titled Art Forward, ongoing until June 15 at Mateo’s Restaurant Cafe and at Ilustrado Restaurant.
The exhibit is a fundraising activity to support the initiative of the Philippine General Hospital Medical Foundation to provide public healthcare to indigent Filipinos.
In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Dexter decided to start painting, putting into practice what he learned from his conversations with both local and international artists.
I’ve known Dexter for a long time. We started together in media, covering arts and culture beats, chasing deadlines, attending gallery openings, and sitting through countless indie film screenings side by side. Those early years were filled with long hours and quiet camaraderie—the kind that forms when two people grow through the same challenges together.
And now, Dexter is exploring something new—something more personal that stretches beyond the newsroom and into new territory.
At first, he was reluctant to share his artworks. He admitted he was afraid we might not understand, or worse, that we might judge him. But who are we to judge or criticize someone brave enough to evolve?
Another friend navigated uncertainties with quiet determination and pursued her brand of filmmaking.
Bettina Someros-Ching, whom I met during her time at Conrad Manila, made her directorial debut with 20/80, a short film championing authentic disability representation. After moving to California before the pandemic and marrying Steven Ching, the couple brought this personal, culturally grounded story to life.
Known for his behind-the-camera work, Steven made his acting debut in the film, drawing from his experience with vision impairment and mental health. His character faces three surreal psychological challenges, each with only 20 seconds to survive.
“This was the most vulnerable I’ve ever been in my creative life. I wanted to show that our inner battles are real—and that we have the power to take ownership over them,” shared Steven.
The short film was created by a California-based production team, featuring the talents and perspectives of several Filipino filmmakers and bringing emotional depth and cultural nuance to the psychological thriller.
Bettina shared recently that their film is a finalist for Best Awareness Campaign at the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, an annual competition that celebrates and empowers filmmakers with disabilities and their allies. The awards night will be held at Sony Pictures Studios in LA.
“We are proud to be the only Filipino representation this year, raising our flag on an international stage,” she said.
Participants had five days to write, shoot, and deliver an original short film aimed at changing perceptions of disabilities. Key Filipino creatives included Aaron Anil Ahkter as assistant cameraman, Polo Miguel Dela Cruz for the original score, and Kevin Yu for the film’s visual identity.
While the broader crew included professionals from across California, the presence of Filipino talent behind the scenes helped shape 20/80’s authenticity, emotion, and voice.
“We wanted to prove that Filipino filmmakers can tell big stories—emotional, psychological, and cinematic. This challenge gave us the chance to do that and represent our community with pride,” said Bettina.
Now live online, 20/80 is part of a worldwide awareness campaign.
Watch the film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ai29mLxbQgc.
