MANILA – Far Eastern University (FEU) paid tribute to National Artist Nick Joaquin through a public memorial lecture, featuring the reopening of his memorabilia room, a book relaunch, 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 as a poet through a lecture conducted by Professor Emeritus Dr. Gemino Abad. He shared his knowledge and view on the literary works of the award-winning journalist, and delivered some of Nick’s most love poems.
Julie Lluch, sculptor of Nick Joaquin’s bust, poses beside his Pop Stories for Groovy Kids.
A Special Collections Exhibit, which gives a glimpse of Nick’s life history, was revealed 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 Nick’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 Nick 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.
Director of President’s Committee on Culture – Martin Lopez, Curator of Nick Joaquin Special Collections Room-Timothy Sanchez, University President Dr. Michael Alba and Rosario Joaquin Villegas marvel Nick Joaquin’s IDs, passports, medals and other memorabilia.
These initiatives were hosted by the FEU Academic Affairs Office, Department of Literature, University Library Publications Office, President’s Committee on Culture, and Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts.
In main photo: Far Eastern University library refurbishes a Special Collections Exhibit which houses one-of-a-kind items from Nick Joaquin’s life works.
