The general public may know Nick Joaquin as a celebrated National Artist for Literature, a gifted writer and journalist whose works are studied in schools all over the country. But for the Far Eastern University (FEU) community he is Nick, a part of their family and a dear friend. His works are embedded into the university’s identity and his legacy remains in the values and the rich culture of the 90-year-old institution. Nick wrote the FEU hymn and authored books about notable FEU alumni, including the biography of the university’s founder and first president Dr. Nicanor Reyes, Sr.
Regarded by many as the most distinguished Filipino writer in English writing, it was no surprise that many organizations made efforts to commemorate his centenary last May 4th 2017. But FEU, a distinguished university that champions arts and culture, sought to cement the award-winning writer’s legacy and influence, both within their community and on the Filipino public.
Strengthening the Ties that Bind
While Nick Joaquin is known all over the country, his close relations with FEU gave the university a unique opportunity to shine a personal light to his story. EON and FEU worked together to launch “Remembering Our Nick,” a year-long public relations campaign that showcased Nick’s role in the university’s rich heritage, presented in ways younger audiences and generations to come would find relatable.
Art Inspiring Artists
The campaign kicked off with a full-day event paying tribute to the writer, featuring a memorial lecture from esteemed literary critic Dr. Gemino Abad, and the unveiling of the Special Collections Exhibit at the FEU Library--a section displaying rare memorabilia that provided a glimpse of Nick’s life and legacy, displayed for the first time.
In an initiative to use Nick Joaquin’s craft to inspire art in today’s generation, students from the Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts created and exhibited visual interpretations of Nick’s genius in his Palanca-award-winning work, “Doña Jeronima.” FEU Publications also launched the centennial edition of “The Complete Poems and Plays of Jose Rizal,” the first book translated by Nick.
Throughout the year, sustaining initiatives were rolled out to reintroduce Nick’s exemplary work and inspire students and younger millennials through various mediums of art, from essay contests, to device readings and an invitational film screening.
The culmination of the campaign was held the following year with “Spotlight: The Nick and Sarah Joaquin Day,” an event that brought to life the legacy and influence of the Joaquin family on the university’s thriving arts and culture programs. As the FEU community dressed up as characters from Nick and Sarah Joaquin’s works, members of the Theatre Guild also performed poetry readings, scene interpretations, and excerpt readings.
The university-wide celebration expanded to the larger Filipino community, attracting the attention of Nick Joaquin’s family, friends, and fans, who entrusted FEU with additional rare memorabilia for display in the Special Collections Exhibit. Among these items were the Czech version of “The Woman Who Had Two Navels,” donated by Czech Ambassador Jaroslav Olsa Jr., and Nick Joaquin’s “Pop Stories for Groovy Kids” loaned by Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Ligaya Amilbangsa. Premier sculptor Julie Lluch also gave a bust of Nick Joaquin. Overall, the year-long campaign strengthened the Filipino public’s affinity with the writer, and inspired today’s artists to build a deeper and more meaningful connection with our rich culture and heritage.
