National Artist Nick Joaquin’s 100th birth anniversary to be celebrated all year long

National Artist Nick Joaquin was honored at the Far Eastern University, Manila last May 25, 2017, marking the long year tribute for the National Artist in the university.

Nick Joaquin is considered by many as the most distinguished Filipino writer, best known for his English short stories and novels. Also a historian and journalist, he wrote with the pen name Quijano de Manila and was later on named as one of the National Artist of the Philippines for Literature.

Julie Lluch, sculptor of Nick Joaquin’s bust, poses beside his Pop Stories for Groovy Kids.

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 passport, medals and other memorabilia.

Through a public memorial lecture, featuring the reopening of his memorabilia room, a book relaunch, and an art exhibit, everyone marked Nick Joaquin’s 100th birth celebration. Some guests reminisced about 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.

University of the Philippines Professor Emeritus Dr. Gemino Abad shares few lines from Nick Joaquin’s poetry

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.  FEU Publications launched the centennial edition of The Complete Poems and Plays of Jose Rizal, the first book of Nick Joaquin.

The exhibition will be open all year long and is open to the public for free. Activities include special screenings for Sari Dalena’s Dahling Nick, 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.

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