JERARD (a RadarPH exclusive interview with Jerard Eusebio) Words by Pael Balbaboco | Photographed by Jarnne Brian Escalona
Laffar-Smith (2012), citing Griffith University
(2012, p. 17), suggested that there are several key elements common to all
forms of creative writing. These are character, plot, setting, structure, issues, narrative voice, narrative viewpoint,
action, dialogue, language, and style
or genre.
For creative writers, these elements are their
weapons in creating compelling narratives. Even though these elements are
primarily identified as basics of written works, these can also be used in
knowing more about the creative writer – that of a gripping (and sometimes,
cunning yet sweet) life. In this Radar feature, Jerard Eusebio, photographed by
Jarnne Escalona, is taken by bits and pieces, by pen and paper, one creative written
element at a time.
THE
CHARACTER
RADAR: Who
is Jerard Eusebio?
JERARD:
I’ve always found this question difficult to answer. I think I’ve spent most of
my life trying to understand myself. Throughout the years, I’ve discovered that
the best way to do that is to understand how I relate to and with people and my
environment. The more people and situations you interact and deal with, the
more you uncover parts of yourself previously unseen. At the same time, spending
time alone can be one of the easiest ways to get acquainted with yourself
better. In both approaches, the goal is to seek your inner truths. I guess we
can say Jerard is a truth-seeker.
RADAR:
Tell us more about yourself.
JERARD:
Hmm. I’m 28 years old. I was born in Adelaide, Australia—that’s something I
always say because most people find it interesting. But I grew up in Los Baños,
Laguna and where I reached the height of 5’5”. What else? I prefer tea to
coffee. I make great lemonade. I am a huge Mariah Carey fan. On Wednesdays, I
wear pink (not really).
RADAR:
How would you describe yourself?
JERARD:
I’ve been branded a lot of things. A “tita.” An old soul. Sentimental.
Sensitive. Poised. I think these are all accurate to a certain degree. But
people who really know me would say that I’m your typical people-pleaser. I’ve
been working on that and have had some progress.
I’m quite transparent, too. People would know if
something was up with me. My face can tell it all.
RADAR:
How do you think your family and friends would describe you?
JERARD:
These days, I’m the maverick of the family. This is mostly because I’ve been
entertaining ideologies that challenge the norms. But before that, they’ve
always assigned me as the creative person. I’m sort of the authority when it
comes to interior designs and gardening. I paint. I write. I take pretty
pictures. My friends would think the same, but they’d also say I’m a bit vain.
But I think they know that deep inside I’m a warm person. And I try very hard
to be best friend that I can be.
RADAR:
If you are not who and what you are now, who and what would you be?
JERARD:
One different move in my past and I would probably be a triathlete now. Or a
serious gym rat. Or a farmer. Or a florist. I’m completely amenable to being
any of those.
THE PLOT
RADAR:
What is Jerard Eusebio all about?
JERARD:
This might sound a little pretentious, but I am all about becoming the best
person I could be. And by that I mean taking each day as an opportunity to be
more loving, wiser, and kinder. I knew since college that my calling was to
inspire others by my words, actions, and advocacies. This is really the reason
I wanted to become a writer. But I’ve learned that it doesn’t have to be grand.
It can just be as simple as suggesting to my friends to bring their own bags
when going to the grocery store.
RADAR:
What is the highest peak of your life so far? And the lowest?
JERARD:
I will not pretend that my life hasn’t been blessed with so many amazing
moments. Right off the bat, the peaks would be all the times I’ve been
published. That’s something sacred to me because I know that my voice has been
given a chance to be heard. Getting feedback from a work I put out is
heartwarming. The lowest point would be anytime that I sulked and invested in
hating myself, anytime in the past where I wished I was a different person, or
when I rebuked the things about myself, when I thought that I wasn’t enough,
wasn’t worthy. There’s no sadder thing than for someone to disown his own
truths.
THE SETTING
RADAR:
You travel right? Which destination is by far your most favorite?
JERARD:
Yes! I had the most magnificent time when Dylan (my boyfriend) and I went to
Donsol, Sorsogon in 2015. We went to swim with the whale sharks. The experience
was just great because we literally waited on the boat in the middle of the sea
for them to surface so they could feed. Swimming with them is seasonal since
they’re wild and free. The gentle giants only visit the area once a year.
During our time, we were able to swim with three different whale sharks. It was
amazing. Another highlight from that trip was our experience with the people of
Donsol. They are by far the nicest we’ve ever encountered in our adventures.
Everyone treated us with kindness and a smile, even random strangers we would
pass by. It was the perfect trip, really.
RADAR:
Where else do you want to go?
JERARD:
It has always been my desire to go back to Adelaide. My parents have nothing
but nice things to say about our stay there. It’d be nice to visit the hospital
where my mother gave birth to me. Right now I’m saving up for an Indochina
trip. I also hope to visit Rome and New York in the near future.
THE
STRUCTURE
RADAR: What
do you do in life?
JERARD:
Right now I’m a community manager for a marketing and consultancy agency in
Makati. That’s just a fraction of how I spend my time and I would vehemently
express that doesn’t define who I am, because the rest of my time, I spend
learning about things that interest me and I’m interested in a lot of things,
from cooking to gardening. You can say I dabble in almost everything except in
automotive and computers. Those things escape me. I’ve also started
establishing an ornamental plant nursery in my hometown. That’s something I’m
quite serious in seeing through.
RADAR:
What is your day-to-day routine?
JERARD:
I’m proud to say that I’m living independently from my parents. Dylan and I
keep an apartment in the city. We do the cleaning, the cooking, and the
washing. I begin a typical day by preparing food while he exercises. (I rather
exercise after work.) Then we go to work, which is less than an hour away.
Nights are spent to do any of these things: writing, reading, exercise, movie
viewing, and house cleaning. In between all of these, we take care of our
7-month old cat named Midnight.
THE ISSUES
RADAR:
What are the struggles of a Jerard Eusebio?
JERARD:
Trying to get the right balance of things—finances, relationships, career, and
passion. I would say, “Same as anybody.”
RADAR:
What surprises you? What disappoints?
JERARD:
I get surprised by a lot of things. For instance, buko pie flavored ice cream.
This is why I love shopping for food. About other things: It always surprises
me when humans are capable of doing horrible things. When you listen to news these
days about wars, crimes, and endless killings. It disappoints me to know that
some people in this day and age still continue to embrace antiquated ideologies
and backward ways.
THE
NARRATIVE VOICE
RADAR:
In general, what makes you an active person? And what makes you passive?
JERARD:
I’m involved in things that I’m passionate about. So, it’s usually the artistic
things in life—visual arts, music, film, and literature. But I’m also into
gardening, politics, current events, social media trends, science, and a bit of
sports. I’m not sure if I’m into fashion, but I like it when I’m wearing nice
clothes. With everything else that I’m not particularly passionate about, I’m
pretty passive. Did I get the question right?
THE
NARRATIVE VIEWPOINT
RADAR:
As a creative writer, which point of view do you use most of the time? Why?
JERARD:
Most of what I’ve written since I’ve been on Tumblr—those that I’ve posted
anyway—have been written in first person. I think that’s mostly because they’re
really creative non-fiction. But since grad school, I’ve shifted to third
person (omniscient). Like, with the novel I’m writing. Of the 18 chapters, only
one is written in the first person. Apart from this POV being the easiest to
write in, it’s also the effect of me detaching myself from my characters and my
stories.
THE ACTION
RADAR:
Tell us more about Paghayo.
JERARD:
Paghayo.com is really a depository of our travel notes. This has been Dylan and
I’s project for the longest time. Recently, we’ve begun updating the website. The
meat of it is really our travel and the stories we’re compelled to write about
from our experiences. The two of us love to eat. Naturally, we’re featuring
dishes and delicacies both from our trips and our creations in the kitchen via
the site’s Food section. That part would also soon feature some of our recipes
on our favorite dishes. The two of us cook every chance we get. Paghayo means
to go forth.
THE DIALOGUE
RADAR:
What would you tell your 10-year-old self?
JERARD:
Easy. “Buy more books and don’t hesitate to buy Mariah’s Rainbow album. It will
literally change the course of your life.”
RADAR:
What is your advice to all aspiring artists out there?
JERARD: Can
I say like a list? (1) Everything has already been written. Nothing is
original. The only thing we can do is to tell stories in the way only our
individuality can. (2) Don’t be afraid to feel, both suffering and joy are
sublime. There is no life without either. (3) In whatever you do, do it with
discipline, patience, and love.
THE LANGUAGE
RADAR: What
is your “language”? Intelligent? Romantic? Wise? Annoying?
JERARD: Oh,
my language is definitely romantic with an admirable attempt at sounding
insightful, incisive, and—at perfect moments—profound. At least I wish or think
this is the case.
THE STYLE OR
GENRE
RADAR: What
is Jerard Eusebio’s “style” in life?
JERARD: I’m
not sure I get the question, but I would always go for the classic look. (This
why Radar50’s cover is quite me.) I like things that I know would be timeless.
I believe in time-tested values, decency, respect, and good manners will bring
me a long way. Consequently, my aesthetics should follow these motifs.
Something that I would say is a recent acquisition would be my partiality for
simplicity. I like being simple, clean, and organized. It’d be extremely rarely
to find me gaudy.
RADAR: To
which life “genre” do you belong to?
JERARD: Tricky.
Since I generally regard myself as a realist, it would make sense that I’d be
part of a realist novel.
And then
some…
RADAR:
Five weird things about you
JERARD:
1. I’m
an advocate for men peeing sitting down.
2. I
enjoy being in dimly lit rooms. I avoid bright, artificially lit places.
3. I
never use faucet water when brushing my teeth.
4. The
cartilage in my nose is broken. I can make a clicking sound with it upon
request.
5. Apparently,
I look taller in pictures.
RADAR: Ultra,
mega, super, duper favorite song of all time
JERARD: Underneath
the Stars by Mariah Carey
RADAR: Other
plans in life
JERARD: I’m
determined to finish graduate school. I’m taking MA Creative Writing at UP
Diliman. All that’s left is thesis. It’s quite challenging since I’m expected
to write a novel. I am dying to finish writing. I’m about 70% done with it. Exciting
times ahead. Plus, I’m quite serious with the ornamental plant nursery thing I
mentioned earlier.
