Feb. 20, 2015, 11:11 p.m. – NOTABLE Thomasian poets,
musicians, artists and University officials gathered at the Civil Law
auditorium Friday to celebrate the “strongest emotion” for man—love.
According to UST Center for Creative Writing and Literary
Studies (CCWLS) Director Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo, the event was a
manifestation of the strong touches of art in man’s life.
“The creation of art and something beautiful is that
part of man that is godlike. That is what this (event) is focused on, the power
of art to do good and inspire people. We chose among all the emotions [and
concluded that] love is the most luminous because it is a “going-out”
of yourself and is strong. It is unique in its ability to make one transcend
the self, and live for others, live for an ‘other,'” she said.
Titled “Thomasians in Love: A literary and musical
evening,” the post-Valentine’s Day celebration was an offshoot of an
annual literary gathering established by former Arts and Letters (Artlets) dean
and prime poetess Ophelia Alcantara-Dimalanta called “Brushes with Words
and Chords.”
Some of this year’s performers were UST-CCWLS associates
Michael Coroza and Joselito Delos Reyes, Palanca winner Carlomar Daoana,
Philippine High School for the Arts Director Vim Nadera, award-winning poet
Rita Gadi, UST Publishing House Director John Jack Wigley, Artlets Dean Michael
Anthony Vasco, UST Graduate School Dean Marilu Madrunio, Graduate School Regent
Fr. Jose Antonio Aureada, O.P., Fr. Rodel Aligan, O.P., and Vice Rector for
Religious Affairs Fr. Filemon dela Cruz, O.P.
Professors from the Conservatory of Music provided the
entertainment. National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera also graced
the event.
According to UST-CCWLS fellow Benedict Parfan, the event was
aimed at celebrating the arts and encouraging the younger generation to enjoy
them.
“[Much of] the younger generation are pretty much
preoccupied with the theme of love. If you see the works [that] they produce
today, [you can see that they are] targeted at the young readers, and are
almost always about love. I guess that’s the part where we can really try to
lure them into loving literature and music as well,” he said.
The event was a collaboration between the UST-CCWLS, the
Faculty of Arts and Letters, the Conservatory of Music, the Faculty of Civil
Law, UST Graduate School, the College of Fine Arts and Design, UST Publishing
House, and the Varsitarian. Josef
Brian M. Ramil and Rhenn Anthony S. Taguiam
