In two years, Katrina Angela May “Kat” Mallillin has gone from being a pioneering student in Thames International’s Innovation and Creative Entrepreneurship (ICE) postgraduate program, to being its Program Manager, to pursuing a scholarship in the United Kingdom. Her meteoric rise is emblematic of what students at Thames can achieve.

After years in service to the community, Kat is a well-loved presence at Thames. Today, she answers some questions about who she is, where she’s going, and how she got where she is today.

I have fond memories of that lovely young woman who joined our Innovation and Creative Entrepreneurship postgraduate program two years ago. What kind of person was she?

Two years ago, I was in the middle of a career transition. I was someone who knew what she wanted. I knew then that I wanted to do both design and teaching, but didn’t know where and how to start. I was someone trying to find stability in my career as a freelancer and trying to save up because I wanted to pursue further studies. 

A few months after I left my agency life, I found out about the ICE program through the British Council. It was the right program at the right time, and the rest is history. 

What changed in your life when you did the ICE program?

There was a big change in perspective for me knowing more about the Creative Industry in the Philippines because of my exposure to the different creative sectors. Thanks to my ICE classmates!

Personally, the ICE program made me reexamine myself as a creative – how my past experiences led me to where I am now and where I would want to be. One of the conversations I had with Lenise Logan, one of our program mentors, that struck me was how important it is for me to know what I want and to work towards it. This grounded me and really set my next steps personally and professionally.

As a Creative Entrepreneur and part of the academe, I saw the gap between the arts and entrepreneurship in education, and it has since then been my mission to address this.  I learned that collaboration is key to innovation, and saw this most keenly in the way my fellow students came together and pooled their expertise.

In the old movie Top Gun, they say that the very best students come back to become instructors. It certainly seems the case here! Why’d you come back to run the program – and what have you learned seeing it from the other side?

The flexibility and diversity in the learning environments I have been part of have helped me gain more insight towards the arts and business. It was during my time at Thames International’s ICE that I realized my unequivocal purpose as a creative professional — which is to continue advancing my knowledge to become an effective mentor in the fields of Creatives and Entrepreneurship. 

I want to help and lead the program because I strongly believe in the value it can bring to Creatives. I have witnessed how it can innovate one’s business or just by simply shifting one’s mindset and attitude towards their work or ventures.

There is certainly a need to equip Creatives with an entrepreneurial mindset. Creatives need the push to focus and learn how to effectively and efficiently manage their business, learn their numbers, and effectively market and pitch their creative business idea. 

With the pandemic, we (the ICE team) realized that our program is applicable to all industries. There is a call now to shift and innovate business models to be able to survive and thrive, and I believe the program design of ICE is just what entrepreneurs, creatives or not, need and are looking for. 

How has the pandemic changed your life plans? How has it not changed your life plans?

The pandemic challenged my personal “why,” not because I think I had to change it, but it called for me to more swiftly shift and implement my goals.

From a positive perspective, I am blessed to be able to take my further studies during the pandemic. It allows me to pause and realign my plans, and at the same time, have a safe space to explore and try things.

Tell us about your scholarship! What are you taking? Why the UK?

Chevening Scholarships, the UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations, is a competitive and unique scholarship that enables leaders to study in the United Kingdom, while joining a global community of professionals who are creating positive change and impact around the world. I am humbled to be one of 16 Filipinos chosen for the Chevening Scholarship for 2020/2021, proudly pursuing the Creative Arts and Entrepreneurship. 

I aim to improve and master my creative and analytical skills and critical thinking on an international scale so I can return to the Philippines and make a significant impact on our local creative industry, specifically in trying to put a structure on how to best build and manage creative hubs and/or organizations, and in the hopes of creating policies that would protect the creative sectors. These same goals and aspirations are aligned with Loughborough University London where I am pursuing Managing Innovations in Creative Organisations MSc.  

I chose to be in the UK specifically because they are a global leader in the creative industry. It was more than 20 years ago when they started to prioritize their arts and culture, and their success is seen now in the contribution of their creative industry to the UK’s economy. Where else should I study other than the country where the creative industry is founded and continues to thrive?

Chevening is a very generous scholarship that gives me the opportunity to focus on academics, while building network and linkage, and experience the UK culture, that I can learn from and bring back home*.

I am grateful to Thames, and especially to Academic Director Ms. Leah Macatangay, for introducing me to the Chevening scholarship!

*I acknowledge that these views are my own and do not represent the Chevening programme or the FCDO.

What’s the biggest reason for a young person to take the path you have?

There’s a quote that says, “run your own race,” which means to observe your own progress, to learn from those who are doing better and bigger things, but making sure to stay focused on your own track.

I have been blessed and privileged with unique growth opportunities to discover my passion and my heart is always in favor of giving others the opportunity to discover the same. What I can only do for the younger generation, whom I think are very important, is to show them possibilities and provide opportunities and space that will empower them to learn and move forward. 

I think it’s important to give each other “space,” not just giving physical space, but space to connect freely, to move, to try and experiment without judgement. This is what I am trying to discover and working towards now. 

What is the happiest thing about being there?

So far, just being here enables me to start conversations with people coming from diverse backgrounds and cultures. These conversations enlighten me not just on a creative aspect, but give me cultural awareness and acceptance, insights on how things work, and potential and possibilities on collaborations. 

The Chevening Scholarship and Loughborough University London provide different programmes that help me engage in unique cultural exchanges and social experiences that are life-enriching professionally, academically, and personally. Specifically, my university has a programme called “Future Space” where I receive tailored support on how I can improve my academic studies, along with development of my skills and entrepreneurial abilities. I have a personal tutor and I’m currently part of two (2) running programs, “Monday Mentoring” and “Digital Skills Programme.” Recently, I have also been chosen as one of Chevening Awards (FCDO)’s 2020/2021 Social Media Ambassadors. I will be showing a glimpse of the quality of education in the UK, championing the different vibrant cultures, and the wonderful network of the leaders and change-makers from the Chevening community through my Instagram account.

Aside from that, just getting around the city! There are a lot of free and accessible creative spaces, museums, and parks. I personally just walk around (with no itinerary) every chance I get. Easy exercise and hits my daily 10k steps!

What kind of person are you now, after everything that’s happened?

One thing that I learned over the years was I cannot do things alone. I have learned to share my journey with my family and friends, recognizing how God moves in my life and how I see His love through the people He surrounds me with.

After everything that’s happened, I’d like to believe I am still someone who remained true to my values, deeply rooted in my experiences and stronger faith in God. He knew that I wasn’t ready in all aspects of who I was then. So those years that led to now was His way of preparing me for this wonderful and exciting journey. 

I am grateful for all those who supported me, my family and friends, my colleagues and mentors (special mention to Sir Joel Santos, Sir TJ Parpan, Gian Carlo de Jesus, and Lenise Logan), who patiently answered all my doubts, assisted me in every step, who had unwavering faith in me, and helped me chase my dreams into reality. 

Is there anything you’d like to share with our readers?

Two things I always remind my students: “Shoot your shot” and “If you don’t ask, the answer is always no.” 

What a lot of people don’t know is that many of the doors I entered are doors I had to make, open, and invite myself in. This came from just being curious about how things work, being humble about learning each step, and willingness to try and fail. My marketing background came from me just asking my previous clients how they came up with their strategy and promos.  Some of my favorite work were the ones I didn’t receive any creative briefs, and just asked if it was okay for me to try to redesign things.  Opportunities were opened because I simply asked. 

So, if you’re reading this now, take it as a sign. Shoot your shot. Ask. Will you be rejected? Probably, maybe more often than not. But believe me, it’s worth the many times you will hear “no” to hear that one “yes!”

The purpose of Thames International is to mold pathfinders that will drive positive social impact in this volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world. The Innovation and Creative Entrepreneurship (ICE) Program has always been in pursuit of this – helping freelancers, creative entrepreneurs, and professionals innovate solutions for a more sustainable business that make a positive impact on society.

Explore the ICE Program here at https://thames.edu.ph/ice-program/.