IDr. John “Juwan” Baring, a PUP CADBE Alumni who graduated in Interior Design back in 2011, shared with us the story that made him who he is today. Belonging to the Batch 2005, IDr. Juwan was supposed to finish the course in 2009, but because of family issues, he had to stop for a year, but quickly got back up on his feet, and came back determined to stand on the stage, and to be able to wear his toga and cap with pride.
Two years after graduating, he took the Interior Design Licensure Examination and successfully ranked 5th. Within that period, he also became a part of Grupo Santamaria Interior Design in Makati. After almost two years of being a part of the company’s team, he, unfortunately, filed his leave prior to the examination to attend that year’s review class at the Center for the Designed Environment Professions, Inc.
IDr. Juwan has always been fond of Architecture, and he believes that it may be because he was surrounded by people involved in the field and arts. Aside from that, he had this dream to have their own house so that his family would not worry about where to get money to pay for rent.
He shared that he was actually applying for Architecture, but during the initial interview, Ar. Jocelyn Lutap asked him if he was interested in getting into Interior Design instead. It was quite funny how he asked her how many Math subjects he has to complete, and when Ar. Lutap replied that there were only two, he was immediately persuaded to take the course and to forget Architecture.
Just like all of us, he too went through tough times during his years as a student. He mentioned that coming from a poor family was not easy, and they were struggling financially. It wasn’t new for them and for most of us, so he honestly understands the situation of lacking and having nothing at all. “My parents can only do so much for us, but the good thing was that my eldest sister took the responsibility to support me in my studies,” saying that she committed to sustaining all his school stuff until he finishes college.
Eager to do well, with a goal set ahead of him, he was ready to face everything head-on. But as a human being, it is impossible to not go through bad times. With everything piling up on him, going way beyond his strength and determination, he thought of stopping. In his third year, he did stop because of issues within his family, which led him to decide on leaving the country. “That moment, I felt like I have lost sight of what truly matters when I was trying to build that ‘dream’ of mine when I was a kid to finally have a permanent house. That simple dream for my family so we could finally free ourselves from renting an apartment,” IDr. Juwan said. This is why he is forever and truly grateful to all the people who believed in his ability and saw the dream he holds in his heart. ”It was still my sister who stopped me to leave the country and begged me to finish my school. She was a savior, or should I say, my hero. She was there all throughout my journey, believing that I could do something great as well for us.”
Going back to the time he took the course, he said to himself that he will stick to it, knowing that he could use it as a tool and weapon to improve their situation, in addition to his knowledge and wisdom to conquer life as a whole. “But, above this, I know that my fate and destiny were already written. I couldn’t see myself as someone who works for a company, but I already gazed [at] myself owning one and so, I believed in it.” He mentioned that one key to progress is our ability to focus on what we truly believe in. With this mindset, he ventured as a freelancer after passing the licensure exam. Collecting all the years of experience in working with Grupo Santamaria Interior Design, he took flight and told himself that there is no way to go back. “It was a test of determination and perseverance, but as I said, if I want to win this game then I should fix my eyes on the prize. It is a continuous learning, every step is essential to my growth,” IDr. Juwan added. In the year 2012, he established Vero Atelier, together with his classmates, which unfortunately closed last 2017-2018. However, in the year 2019, he transitioned the company from being an atelier to the current Vero Interiors and Construction Corp. It was accredited last 2020, and Idr. Juwan is now the owner and the Principal Interior Designer of Vero.
“Take every opportunity to grow,” he mentioned, sharing that he became part of the academe, specifically in Mapua (2014-2019), PUP (2014-2015), and DLSU-CSB (2016-2020), right after the board exam. Teaching was not his strength, but he always had a desire to share his knowledge to the next generation. During those times, he gained so much that contributed to his practice. He also wanted to say that relationship and friendship building is important for us to have that extra support system and reinforcement.
In the topic of IDr. Juwan venturing into the field of teaching, he shared that he always had this vision of himself speaking to a crowd, and he thought that it might be him delivering his oath-taking speech. “I even prepared my speech for that. But, not so in fortune that I placed fifth in the examination, I am really happy about that, don’t get me wrong,” he cleared up. In the meantime, he got another interpretation of his vision and thought that it was about getting into school to teach. This vision got blurry along the way from rejection when a PUP instructor back then said that he was not qualified to teach because of the lack of experience. However, in the last week of December 2013, an instructor from Mapua, who used to be his instructor in PUP, asked if he can attend her class as a jury, he immediately agreed. Because of this opportunity, the Dean of Mapua herself asked him if he wants to teach because she was more than willing to give him that once-in-a-lifetime chance, and he did not want to let that slip past him. He quickly started teaching in Mapua in January 2014. This story is not the end of his teaching journey, while on a bus going to school (Mapua), he received a message from a very significant person, Ar. Lutap, asking him why he was teaching at another school and not in his alma mater. “I felt that the vision I saw during review is starting to complete itself, pieces by pieces without me doing the work. I am completely convinced that it was really meant for me. I have doubts about my ability to teach, but I know in myself that it is embedded in my heart to extend something for the youth and the generation to come after me,” IDr. Juwan proudly said.
It was not a long journey but it was memorable and significant in IDr. Juwan’s life. He was not just able to teach, but also learned great things from it. The friends he gained, the lessons he learned from everyone’s experiences, the laughter and tears he shed, it was overall a joyful experience. “It will always be in my heart that love to teach and share, a mentor if I may say. And beyond that, it is also a fulfillment to see your students flourishing and progress in their own way.”
IDr. Juwan also shared a message saying that our story must be dedicated to the young generation and should always inspire others. “My story, all the struggles and success, defeats, and victories are just tools to somehow tell the young generations that we can achieve our dreams in life, no matter how high it is. You must strive and do whatever it takes to materialize those dreams. Have a good heart to others and for yourself so that you may receive it from God who will sustain you all throughout your journey until the day you receive the prize.”
As a designer, IDr. Juwan shared that it is quite challenging. This is because we are dealing with a lot of requirements, concerns, personality, needs, wants, etc. Being an Interior Designer is not just about style or visual, it also talks about our ability to comprehend the needs of our user, and to find relation or connection to the surrounding and understanding our environment whether it’s artificial or natural. “Function comes first; it is the solution that satisfies the human problem within the space. When there is a function, people understand the space, its purpose, and importance. Aesthetic can be achieved through good materials, elements, principles, and sometimes it’s subjective. For me, we appreciate the space more when it serves its true purpose, and that’s where beauty truly emerges.” he discussed. Personally, he has always appreciated Period Style, but he usually goes to minimal and highly functional designs.
“Whatever I have right now, if it’s a success or a victory from someone’s sight, it will never matter if I own this alone,” saying that it is not just for him, but also his family. He worked hard and continuously plowed the field to learn and achieve more for them. “It is my happiness to give something for my family and to the people around me,” he mentioned, which I imagine, with a smile on his face and a heart full of love and content.
Lastly, IDr. Juwan would like to share this message to the entire student body of CADBE: “Even though we have different stories to tell and whatever situation you are in. I am pressing it hard to tell this, to not let go of your dreams so easily, do not give up but give the best you can give to achieve your dream. Focus on your goal and persevere in trials. Fight the good fight of faith because it’s all about it, keeping the faith in your heart. Hone your skills and talent unrelentingly and never stop learning. Listen to people who can share their knowledge and experiences, do not harden your heart from whatever correction may fall in front of you. Keep yourself humble because that’s where learning starts. And lastly, be generous. Do not withhold good things to people so we may fill up our society with kindness and compassion.”
Let us all learn and be inspired by Idr. Juwan’s story, and continue to venture the road, with our goals ahead of us. Padayon IDr. Juwan, and to my co-CADBE students!
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