Arts scene

By Marifi Jara

AT a time when we are bombarded everyday by news of rising prices, rice shortage, political bickering arising from deep-seated corruption, and crimes both petty and grave, it is difficult to think about the arts.

The arts, after all, is traditionally associated with the elite and customarily thought of as a luxury — something that can be indulged in only if you have plenty of time and money to burn.

But the postmodernism school of thought has hammered down all that conventional way of thinking. The arts — including literature, music, visuals or fine arts, and stage — is something that must be promoted for and among everyone because it is that facet of our lives that captures our soul as a people.

Arts is both a manifestation and reflection of our humanity; it is a testament to our ability to see beyond survival. And it is refreshing that the arts here in Pangasinan are alive.

Poet Santiago “Sonny” Villafania, one of our premier bards, for example, will be speaking about writing verse in regional languages on April 26 at the Ortigas Library Foundation as part of the National Book Development Board Book Club’s (www.nbdb.gov.ph) activities celebrating regional literature.

Sonny, who has become my virtual friend since I started writing this column, will be citing from his latest book entitled “Malagilion”, which is a compilation of sonnets and villanelles written in Pangasinan.

Dr. Crisanta Nelmida-Flores of the University of the Philippines will also be giving a lecture on Pangasinan culture during that event, which is open to everyone for free. (The Ortigas Foundation Library is at the 2/F of the Ortigas Building at Ortigas cor. Meralco Avenues, Ortigas Centre, Pasig City.)

“Malagilion” is Sonny’s second book published through the assistance of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino and Emilio Aguinaldo College in Manila where he is a faculty member and senior website developer/designer.

One of the poems from “Malagilion” will also be read by Sonny during the opening of the “Spirit of Urduja”, an art exhibit featuring the works of 16 our homegrown artists, all members of the Artista Sining bIswal ng pangasinaN (ASIN) set from April 28 to May 28 at the Lisland  Rainforest Resort and Restaurant in Urdaneta City.

For a taste of the opening, Sonny has given me permission to print here his poem:

 

sonito 1

kawalaan mo natan Urduja?

anggapo’y makaamta no iner

so angisinopan da ed sika

 

say linget tan dala’n impaterter

tinmubo iran dika na dalin

pian nasakuban so angarian

 

agko amta no aya so bilin

bilang prinsisa na Caboloan

 

nabilang so istoryan nisulat

istoryan mangipakabat komun

no sika et tua o mito labat

 

bonga’y kanonotan na totoon

pinabli ran maong so luyag da

kanian say ngaran mo inako ra

(Readers may reach columnist at marifijara@gmail.com. For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/roots/
For reactions to this column, click “Send MESSAGES, OPINIONS, COMMENTS” on default page.)

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