Remembering Nick: Friend and Artist

CEBU, Philippines - Far Eastern University (FEU) recently paid tribute to National Artist Nick Joaquin through a public memorial lecture, featuring the reopening of his memorabilia room, a book re-launch, and an art exhibit.

“For FEU, Nick is more than just a Philippine treasure. His works are part of our identity and his legacy remains in the values and culture of the university,” explained Dr. Michael Alba, FEU president. “He wrote our hymn and authored books about our alma mater; he even wrote the biography of our founder Nicanor Reyes, Sr. It is but natural for us to celebrate his life and his contributions not only to our community, but to all Filipinos.”

The FEU community welcomed the family and friends of the great writer in honoring his milestone. Guests recalled Nick Joaquin as a poet through a lecture conducted by Professor Emeritus Dr. Gemino Abad, who shared his knowledge and view on the literary works of the award-winning journalist, and delivered some of Joaquin’s most love poems.

A Special Collections Exhibit, which gives a glimpse of Joaquin’s life story, was opened to the public. The display included rare memorabilia donated by Czech Ambassador Jaroslav Olsa Jr. and loaned by Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Ligaya Amilbangsa. Here, the Czech version of “The Woman Who Had Two Navels” and “Nick Joaquin’s Pop Stories for Groovy Kids” were displayed to the public for the first time. A bust of Nick Joaquin by premier sculptor Julie Lluch was also unveiled and will be a permanent addition in the collection. The exhibition was curated by FEU Literature and Humanities assistant professor, Timothy Sanchez with inputs from literary scholar and AdMU assistant professor, Jonathan Chua.

Different students from FEU’s Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts also made an interpretation of Joaquin’s mind and translated his Palanca-award-winning “Doña Jeronima.” To complete the tribute to the man behind the pen, FEU Publications launched the centennial edition of “The Complete Poems and Plays of Jose Rizal.” This was a first-edition book translated by Joaquin himself.

The event kicked-off FEU’s year-long celebration of the renowned artist’s birth centenary. Other activities include special screenings for Sari Dalena’s “Dahling Nick,” and Lamberto Avellana’s “Portratit of an Artist as a Filipino” in September, and the premiere of Galleon Theatre MNL’s new adaptation of “May Day Eve” in October. (FREEMAN)