FEU kicks off year-long tribute to Nick Joaquin

FEU president Dr. Michael Alba views a bust and photos of writer Nick Joaquin, as well as some of his works, at an exhibit that opened at the FEU on Thursday, May 25, 2017. The exhibit honors the writer on his birth centenary and includes his typewriter (below). Photos: Danny Pata

Thursday, May 25, marked the start of Far Eastern University's year-long tribute to National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin.

FEU kicked off the celebration of the renowned writer's birth centenary with the reopening of a Special Collections Exhibit, featuring rare memorabilia courtesy of the Joaquin family, Timothy Sanchez, Jonathan Chua, Diego Abad, Czech Ambassador Jaroslav Olsa Jr., and dancer and Ramon Magsaysay Award recipient Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa.

On display are the Czech versions of "The Woman Who Had Two Navels" and "Pop Stories for Groovy Kids" — both made accessible to the public for the first time — and a bust of Joaquin by sculptor Julie Lluch.

Dr. Germino Abad, professor emeritus of literature and creative writing at the University of the Philippines, at the opening of the exhibit spoke at length of Joaquin's humility and habit of wearing out shoes because he walked whenever and wherever he could.

"He is a master storyteller and first and last a poet," Abad declared after reading a few lines from Joaquin's work.

Joaquin was recognized as a National Artist for Literature in 1976.

Abad shared that Joaquin was apprehensive about receiving the award from the Marcoses, but decided to use his influence to negotiate his friend Jose "Pete" Lacaba's freedom.

"In 1976, he received willy-nilly the National Artist award on condition that the government release Pete Lacaba from military detention," Abad said.

In addition to the exhibit, FEU will also host special screenings of Sari Dalena's "Dahling Nick" and Lamberto Avellana's "Portrait of an Artist as a Filipino" in September and the premiere of Galleon Theatre MNL's adaptation of "May Day Eve" in October.

Joaquin's work as a translator is also highlighted with the launch of the centennial edition of "The Complete Poems and Plays of Jose Rizal."

These initiatives are 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. — Aya Tantiangco/BM, GMA News