Functus Dos: The Peter Solis Nery Arts Festival

ON FEBRUARY 1, 2017, after my five-month visit to the Philippines, I hosted the first Functus at the now-defunct Casa Real Gallery.

It was a fun 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 that kicked off the 2017 National Arts Month in the guise of a farewell party for me before I returned to the US.

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In my January 27, 2017 column here in Panay News, I explained the etymology of Functus from the Latin to mean performed, or executed; suffered or endured… like artistic endeavors brought to completion.

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I was in Iloilo in early 2018 for the 50thDinagyang Festival.

But instead of another Functus, I staged a few concerts around the Dinagyang dates: a Dinagyang kickoff show, a Tet show (for a Vietnamese restaurant celebrating the Lunar New Year), and a Valentine show.

The Valentine show might as well have served as Functus 2.0, because it was attended by the usual suspects, my expected guests from the literary, art, and education community.

But it was hosted by the restaurant so I gave them the Valentine show, which was the deal.

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This year, I’m back in the Philippines for a cousin’s February wedding on 2/20/2020.

I also wanted a few days in Iloilo.

But, as always, when news spreads around about my homecoming, people ask, “Ano na naman ang pasabog mo?”

Which literally asks what I have under my sleeves that is set to explode.

Like I am a bombshell, or something.

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Actually, the question means “What surprises have you in store to rock the town?”

Because that’s just who I am for most people.

I am a mover. And it would seem like Iloilo shakes on her knees when I am around.

So, why not Functus Dos: The Peter Solis Nery Arts Festival in Iloilo?

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People may think it is a prelude to the Iloilo City Summer Arts Festival (to which I am not invited to contribute).

Because people think I’m living in the US, they usually count me out in the lists of “local” writers, and artists.

I still can’t understand why they don’t have the bigger imagination to think that I have the money to travel when they actually invite me!

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Anyway, my event, The Peter Solis Nery Arts Festival, is envisioned to be bigger.

It’s a regional, Western Visayas-wide, consultative meeting punctuated by activities and programs of The Peter Solis Nery Foundation for Hiligaynon Literature and the Arts, Inc.

And guests will be coming from out of town, and even from neighboring islands. 

Shorter in time, and smaller in venue maybe (special thanks to FDCP Regional Lead Officer Daniella Julieta Caro for the use of the Cinematheque Iloilo on Solis Street), but I am not short of big dreams.

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“THE event of the season” is envisioned as a day-long interaction of artists, writers, filmmakers, educators, cultural workers, and art patrons at the Iloilo Cinematheque on February 29, Saturday, to powerfully conclude the 2020 National Arts Month.

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We will start with the registration, and welcome of participants at 10 a.m.

At 11 a.m., we will have the Iloilo City premiere of the 19 short silent films entered to the 2019 Peter’s Prize for Film, including Richard Olano’s grand prize-winning “Litanya sang Dutang Ginpatumbayaan”.

Around noon, the Contemporary Arts Meeting, where I will preside to update the West Visayas artists list, and provide guidelines for their inclusion in my Philippine Contemporary Arts from the Regions textbook.

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At 1 p.m., my award-winning play, “Tic Tac Toe”, the funniest Ilonggo play of the new millennium, will be performed by Iloilo Prima Galaw, under the direction of Romie John Delariarte.

A second screening of The Peter Solis Nery Foundation International Film Festival (the PSNFIFF) shorts is set for 3 p.m.

Nineteen amazing films in one hour, what’s not to like?

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Also, just before the launching of the 2020 Peter’s Prize for Literature, the winning poems of the 2019 Peter’s Prize for Poetry will be read, and presented by their authors at 4 p.m.

And at 4:30 p.m., I will preside the Literature Meeting to update the West Visayas writers list, and provide guidelines for their inclusion in my 21stCentury Literature textbook for Philippine senior high school. (500tinaga@gmail.com/PN)