HE WAS known to a generation of Filipinos for his villain role in Dolphy’s hit TV sitcom “Home Along da Riles,” until he left the country to pursue acting and academic careers in the United States.
Now Bernardo Bernardo, a full-blooded Thomasian, is back in his alma mater as senior visiting fellow of the UST Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies.
The Journalism alumnus and former Varsitarian editor in chief served as stage director of “Brushes with Words and Chords,” a presentation held last April 26 at the Thomas Aquinas Research Center Auditorium.
“Brushes with Words and Chords,” which consisted of dramatic and poetry readings and song performances, was the creative writing center’s contribution to the 2017 National Literary Month celebration, said Ralph Galan, assistant director.
Conservatory of Music Dean Antonio Africa was the musical director, while Fine Arts and Design professor Rodolfo Olaso took charge of production design.
The event showcased the works of esteemed writers such as Virgilio Almario, Cirilo Bautista, Nick Joaquin, F. Sionil Jose, Bienvenido Lumbera, Edith Tiempo and Jose Garcia Villa.
Pieces performed included Bautista’s “Dead Weight: In Memoriam,” Jose’s “Viajero,” Ophelia Dimalanta’s “Flowers Are Not For Picking, Or Are They?” and Alejandro Abadilla’s “Ako Ang Daigdig.”
Readers included Bernardo, Faculty of Arts and Letters Dean Michael Anthony Vasco, Artlets Regent Rev. Fr. Rodel Aligan, O.P. and former Varsitarian editor in chief Vim Nadera.
Books and cover illustrations were displayed in an exhibit at the Miguel de Benavides Library, which ran until April 29.