CFA honors Sir DJ -

At the recently concluded 33^rd Tanglaw ng Sining Candlelit Ceremonies (recognition rites) of the UP Diliman (UPD) College of Fine Arts (CFA), the college’s constituents honored Ruben Fortunato M. De Jesus with this year’s Gawad Alab ng Sining.

*Ruben Fortunato M. De Jesus in 2015 attending the awarding ceremony where he was honored as a UP Artist. Photo from Angela de Jesus Ilustre.*

It was during De Jesus’ term as CFA college secretary that Gawad Alab ng Sining began as recognition of the exceptional achievements of the CFA alumni. He also designed the award’s trophy.

“At ngayon, taos puso natin itong igagawad at ipararangal sa kaniya,” said Romanlito Austria, a professor of visual communication at the CFA and De Jesus’ friend.

According to Austria, De Jesus, who passed away in May this year, had a quiet yet strong disposition.

“Maihahalintulad si Totet kay Onyok, ang mahiyaing manok. Tahimik ngunit malalim at makabuluhan ang kaniyang saloobin, gayundin ang kaniyang mga likha,” said Austria in his tribute to De Jesus.

Onyok is a character from the children’s book Ang Mahiyaing Manok. De Jesus was the book’s illustrator.

*Ruben Fortunato M. De Jesus with his creation, Onyok, ang mahiyaing manok. Photo from the CFA*

He added that De Jesus was very dedicated in his service to the University.

“Sa halos humigit 30 taon bilang guro, hindi matatawaran ang serbisyo niya sa kolehiyo at Unibersidad,” Austria said. “Sa gitna ng kaniyang tungkulin bilang guro at administrador ng kolehiyo, siya ay tuloy-tuloy na lumikha. Hindi rin mabilang ang kaniyang mga solo at panggrupong eksibisyon,” he added.

Austria said De Jesus would always highlight the positive values of Filipinos in his works, especially artworks for children.

(From left) Dr. Mark De Jesus Castellejos and Angela De Jesus Ilustre, relatives of Ruben Fortunato M. De Jesus, received the late professor’s Gawad Alab ng Sining award from the CFA. Photo from the CFA Student Council Facebook page

“Makabuluhan, masaya, at nakaaaliw ang mga likhang pambata ni Totet. Lagi’t lagi ay sinasalamin nito ang magagandang asal ng Pilipino, ang masayang pamilya, at higit sa lahat ang pag-asa at pagmamahal para sa bayan,” Austria said.

In closing, Austria praised De Jesus and mentioned how his life is an inspiration to the CFA.

“Kung si [National Artist for Visual Arts] Larry Alcala ang tinagurian ng kolehiyo bilang ‘Ama ng Visual Arts’ si Totet de Jesus naman marahil ang ‘Ama ng Ilustrador ng Kabataan.’ Ang pagkilala at parangal na ‘Gawad Alab ng Sining’ mula sa kaguruan, kasamahan, at mga mag-aaral ng Kolehiyo ng Sining Biswal ay patunay sa ‘Liwanag ng Likha’ ni Prof. Ruben Fortunato M. De Jesus,” he said.

De Jesus’ body of work served as inspiration to this year’s CFA recognition rites’ theme Liwanag ng Likha. The ceremonies were held on July 29, 4 p.m., at the CFA Art and Design West Hall.

Academe