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BY PETER SOLIS NERY
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Friday, January 27, 2017
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FUNCTUS is a Latin word that means performed, or executed. It also means suffered, or endured. Like how you suffered and endured me in this column, in my Panay Balita column, and in my other artistic endeavors these past five months.
For my despedida before flying back to the US on Feb. 6 (I fly to Manila on Feb. 2), I am holding a soirée, a fellowship night with Ilonggo artists and writers on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at the Casa Real Gallery, starting around 6 p.m. I call it Functus, because, well, I have performed and executed my duties in this five-month stay in the Philippines. It’s Functus as in functus officio, but not really; and you’ll understand more when you attend my funcion despedida.
And February being the National Arts Month in the Philippines, my farewell party kicks off the Ilonggo month-long celebration with a gathering of visual and performing artists, writers, filmmakers, art enthusiasts, musicians, art and literary critics, cultural workers, and consumers of art and literature for chitchats, gossips, networking, and cultural exchange, and possibly, seminal fluid exchange.
At the event, which is free for the public, there will be a special screening of my 15-minute short film, Ikapito nga Adlaw; and, if things go right, the premiere of a new film from the bold and wild photoshoot called Fierce: Sensual Aggression by young and emerging Dumangasanon filmmakers.
The Peter Solis Nery Foundation for Hiligaynon Literature and the Arts, Inc. will also be launching the 2017 Peter’s Prize categories for Silent Short Film; and Erotic Poetry in Hiligaynon. In addition, the literature rack called Manggad: West Visayan Literature will also be launched at the Casa Real Gallery. The prototype of the literature rack was earlier launched at Esplanade Uno Cafe on Dinagyang Saturday with street music and poetry reading. (Yes, Esplanade Uno Cafe is home to Manggad, which is home to West Visayan literature. Eat pho, drink coffee, buy a book.)
As with the first Manggad literature rack launching, there will be poetry and dramatic readings at the Functus event. But this time, all the materials for reading and performances will come from books found in the literature rack. The public is therefore invited, and encouraged, to buy from the displayed books.
Incidentally, ongoing in the gallery, if you missed it, is the “Imbukada 2017” art exhibit. So, bring your checkbook, and buy some art.
The last time I pulled a stunt like this was at my Kakunyag Poetry concert at SM City eleven years ago. “Kakunyag: The Poetry Concert”, which launched my 100 erotic sonnets in the Hiligaynon, was sponsored by Panay News, and ABS-CBN in February 2006. Well, I’ve never been to the Philippines again in January and February except this year. So, this was really bound to happen.
What’s different though is that I’m more than just a poet/writer this year. Last year, my short film Ikapito nga Adlaw launched my career as a bold star/actor. And my appearances at the October Poetika, and last month’s Spoken Word event at Urban Baylehan, organized by Project Iloilo, has sealed my reputation as the bold and daring performance artist.
More than that, this time, I am backed up, and in collaboration with the exciting Ilonggo art community with friends, not only from the literary and academic circles, but also in the network of visual artists, filmmakers, musicians, and performance artists.
On this five-month visit in the Philippines, a wise, and multi-talented artist, has posed a challenge for me to take on a more senior role in the current Renaissance of Ilonggo art, and literature specifically. Of course, I was resistant at first. Look at that: “senior role”. Wait, “more senior role”. But I respect and love this artist so much, and my heart listens. In fact, I think I’ve heard the same inspiration before, in 2012, when I created my Foundation for literature and the arts. So here’s to promoting, and propagating Ilonggo art and culture.
I may not be able to tag everyone for this event, but please come and join us. See the vibrant Ilonggo artists bloom right before your very eyes.
There are many ways to say goodbye. I choose to do Functus, because my job as a provocateur is done. The community is stirred, and we are having lots of fun. These are interesting times to be living in a throbbing city called Iloilo, where the infrastructure developments are enhanced and complimented by cultural, artistic, and intellectual growth. This is progress!/PN
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