Quoc is simply trying to imply in his speech that artists should keep on thriving whatever life may bring because at the end of the day they are the artist of their own life. They will dictate how they will fill up their own canvas, how they will proceed with their lyrics, and how they will execute their choreography. They need to recognize the power their gift possesses, how their works can enkindle inspiration amongst their audiences and how it can open new conversations imperative in addressing social issues concerning the pandemic. With that in mind, they can prove how potent and flexible art sector can be in addressing any pressing issue. 

I also ruminated about my shortcomings as a writer and a singer. One of the most difficult things in life is consistency, and the lack of structure in the everyday life would challenge your resolve. Will this provide essential sustenance to me in the future, if I were to focus and pursue it as a life career? It is especially daunting to pursue artistic endeavors in our country. And so while I still have an excuse to pursue it, I should continue what I'm doing for the past year.

I decided to be certain of one thing though, and that is if I were to choose to be stuck with one thing my whole life, I would rather choose to waste my time creating. The pandemic will make you think about the longevity of things – supplies, future plans, your own life. As an optimist, I often hoped that good things would last. But it quickly hit me that everything is a ticking time bomb, and I must choose wisely according to what I deem is important. At this moment, I'm only glad that I was given the chance to eloquently narrate my love for creation. The pandemic made a unique change in my life, and I appreciate the time it gave me as an aspiring artist.

During the 2020 Olympics, I saw a lot of empowering fanart featuring Hidilyn Diaz, Margielyn Didal, and Nesthy Petecio all over social media. Aside from this, I've also seen so many protest artworks emerge during the pandemic due to the government's poor Covid-19 response. While scrolling on social media, I would see a lot of people resharing these kinds of artworks on mental health and various movements, and it would make me think about the role of art and the huge impact it can have to many others. There's just something so comforting, freeing, and empowering when art can bring people together and even inspire action.

Overall, I think that artistic expression — both in its production and reception— is heavily influenced by the current contexts we are in. Living in unprecedented times, I think there's no doubt that art is constantly evolving and shaping the way we perceive ourselves and the world around us.