1996
marks my official entry to the world wide web with the electronic publication of "Way of Design, Interior Design from an Oriental Perspective." Launched on 27 September 1996, via the Internet Relay Chat (IRC), this ebook has taken a life of its own. It waited eleven years but when it came out of its cocoon, it was into the wonderful world of cyberspace. In virtual form, the book found a new life and a new meaning.
The virtual invitation for the launch of Way of Design.
Most guests were chatmates in IRC around the world.
It is gratifying to know that through the internet, I am able to touch the hearts and minds of many people, young and old, students, professionals and specially the laymen. The internet has empowered me to freely and conveniently share my work and philosophy to as many readers as possible across the globe.
1997
and the years before was an unsettling period for Hong Kong. There is a general feeling of apprehension about the hand-over of British Hong Kong to China. But I was unperturbed. In fact, I welcomed this change because finally, I would be granted a permanent immigration status courtesy of China. For 28 years, I was denied this status by the British simply because of my ethnicity.
The spirit of Hong Kong will always be with me no matter where I end up. It nourished and sustained me while providing a fertile ground for creativity. I casually took these pictures (above and right) of my flat as a memento of my last days in Hong Kong. Looking at these, I cannot but feel nostalgic for my youthful years of exuberance, bravado, and confidence. The winding road I travelled in H.K. invariably, offered new paths and byways to explore and to learn from.
The year 1997 saw me working on projects of two repeat clients. This is one of my last project in HK. I also kept honing my newly acquired skill as web designer. I have come a long way in web design and my venture into it is another story.
1998
is to me a year of introspection and irony. The verse "Steps" kept coming into my mind. I begun to question the validity of my continued existence in Hong Kong. In the end, I rose to the challenge and heeded the call of new beginnings. To renew myself, I realized I have to take a different road. It is ironic because after being granted a permanent residency status in Hong Kong, I have now decided to forego its comfort and familiarity to go back to the city of my birth.
It is a custom in the Philippines to bring "pasalubong" or small tokens from where one travelled. I thought it would be a nice gesture to bring something of me for my homecoming. With some help from friends, I produced the CD Rom version of Way of Design. The Philippine School of Interior Design with Edith Oliveros sponsored a very successfull launch of the CD on 29 January 1999 at the Filipinas Heritage Library.
1999
was a year of adjustments. Living in Manila
with its entirely different tempo and temperament from Hong Kong is indeed very challenging. But I easily endured the many inconvenient realities of my environment because of my new focus. Sometime in 1999, I acquired the domain wayofdesign.com as my virtual domicle. Take a look at the other websites I developed during this period by clicking the pictures below.
2000
the millennium year, begun full of optimism so I initiated EwayMedia
and pursued developing a business plan for it. My sentiments at this time are reflected in my interview with Ted Calbazana. However, by the third quarter of 2000, the political turmoil in the Philippines took its toll and local venture capital needed for EwayMedia evaporated. If the year ended with a gloomy outlook, the new year of 2001 ushered in a brighter cycle.
2001
greeted me with a surprise e-mail from a complete stranger who intrigued me with design assignments. I never imagined the virtual seed I planted in cyberspace would yield something tangible. But it did when I signed an Agreement to go back to my first love and passion interior designing.
By going back and returning, the butterfly seems going far!
