(SEPT. 2)鈥擯rof. Mitzi Marie Aguilar-Reyes was affirmed as the 15th College of Fine Arts (CFA) dean by UP Diliman Chancellor Michael L. Tan in a ceremony held on Aug. 29 at the CFA Arts and Design West Hall.
At the affirmation rites, Aguilar-Reyes talked about the spirit of 鈥淏ayanihan,鈥 a Filipino custom where people from the community would gather and assist their neighbors with whatever they need including transferring a house by lifting or carrying it to another location with the help of the community鈥檚 able-bodied men.
鈥淗ow can the UP CFA reinvigorate the spirit of bayanihan? It takes brawn and strength to lift a house but it takes imagination to do it efficiently and strategically, thus, guaranteeing the success of the task and well-being of everyone involved,鈥 Aguilar-Reyes said.
She said CFA鈥檚 trademark 鈥淎rtista ng Bayan鈥 is a reminder that it is the duty of the college 鈥渢o illustrate and demonstrate the essence of bayanihan for our fellow countrymen.鈥
鈥淎s mentors, it is our vocation to cultivate an inclusive learning environment and empower students to reach their full potential and become active contributors to the community. In turn, it is the social responsibility of our beloved students to convert their talents and skills and learning into actual efforts to uplift others,鈥 she said.
Moreover, Aguilar-Reyes said, 鈥淏ayanihan is also demonstrated in the spirit of collaboration by nurturing relationships with other colleges and organizations.鈥听
She ended her message with a battle cry, 鈥淪ining na may tungkulin, tungkulin na may sining. Art with a purpose and purpose with art. As artists, we must remember that our practice is not drawing lang tayo. In our own way, we can influence, move and persuade which is why our work must always be anchored to a solid purpose and a purpose cannot be achieved without a strong vision and masterful execution. Any purpose fulfilled in this manner would be our masterpiece.鈥
Aguilar-Reyes earned both her Bachelor of Fine Arts major in Visual Communication and Master of Arts in History in UP in 1983 and 1994, respectively.听
A professor at the Department of Visual Communication (DVC), she has been with the University for more than three decades and was DVC chair from 2005 to 2010.听
Appointed by Tan as University Food Service officer-in-charge in 2015, she later became its director and served until May 2019.
As faculty, Aguilar-Reyes received numerous awards and grants including the 鈥淯P Arts Productivity System Award 2019鈥 as UP Artist 1; 鈥淥ne UP Professorial Chair鈥 grants for 2018-2019 and 2017-2018; 鈥淛ose Joya Professorial Chair鈥 in 1996, 2001 and 2014, and was conferred the 鈥淕uillermo Tolentino Chair鈥 in 2006 and the 鈥淔ederico Alcuaz Professorial Chair鈥 in 2009.
Aguilar-Reyes鈥檚 research on 鈥淭he Patadyong: A Colorful Weaving Tradition of Miag-ao, Iloilo鈥 was included in the book 鈥淗ABI, A Journey Through Philippine Handwoven Textiles,鈥 published in 2013 by The Philippine Textile Council.听
She co-authored 鈥淕arment of Honor, Garment of Identity,鈥 a comprehensive research on the barong Tagalog published by the Barong Filipino Foundation, Inc. in 2008.
She is one of the founding members of the 鈥淎ng Ilustrador ng Kabataan鈥 (Ang I.N.K.) and was also one of the illustrators of the 鈥淎ng INKredible Coloring Book for Big and Small People鈥 published by Anvil Publishing, Inc. in 2016.
Aguilar-Reyes is a painter, printmaker and potter who had solo exhibits and has participated in several art exhibits both local and international.
Aguilar-Reyes also introduced the CFA executive committee: Asst. Prof. Jamel Joseph Obnamia (College Secretary), Asst. Prof. Nina Elisa Constantino (Industrial Design Program Director), Asst. Prof. Marc J. San Valentin (DVC Chair), Assoc. Prof. Dakila Fernando (Department of Theory), Prof. Leo Antonio Abaya (Department of Studio Arts Chair) and Assoc. Prof. Romanlito Austria (Graduate Program Coordinator).听
Meanwhile, former CFA dean Prof. Leonardo Rosete expressed his gratitude to the college, the UP System and 黑料专区 administration, students, faculty, staff and guests who attended the affirmation. He also said 鈥淚sipin din ng ibang faculty na panahon na para isulat ang gabay na magbibigay ng direksyon sa mga namumuno ng Kolehiyo. Kaya kahit ito ay pasalin-salin, mayroon talagang isang gabay na isusulong para manatiling matatas at masigla ang buhay ng sining.鈥
UP President Danilo L. Concepcion graced the occasion and delivered a welcome message to the new CFA dean.
Also present during the program were Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Evangeline C. Amor, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jerwin F. Agpaoa, University Registrar Ma. Theresa T. Payongayong, former CFA deans Prof. Florentina Colayco and Prof. Leonilo Doloricon, College of Arts and Letters dean Prof. Amihan Bonifacio-Ramolete, PhD, College of Architecture dean Prof. Armin B. Sarthou Jr., incoming College of Science dean Prof. Giovanni A. Tapang, PhD, incoming College of Engineering dean Prof. Ferdinand G. Manegdeg, Dr. Sergia 鈥淐herry鈥 V. Abueva (wife of National Artist Napoleon V. Abueva), former UP Regent Georgina R. Encanto, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (Curriculum and Instruction) Patricia B. Arinto, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (R&D Resource Management) Mary Delia G. Tomacruz, former CFA professors and staff, CFA students, Aguilar-Reyes鈥檚 family, friends and colleagues, UP System and UP Diliman officials, and CFA鈥檚 supporters.
Aguilar-Reyes was introduced by her friend and colleague Assoc. Prof. Ruben F. De Jesus of DVC while Austria emceed the affirmation rites. Intermission numbers were provided by the UP Filipiniana Dance Group (for 鈥淪ayaw sa Bangko鈥), Nanette and Lara Maigue (for a mother-daughter duet), and Koro Sining (for 鈥淗arana sa Dekana鈥 and 鈥淯P Naming Mahal鈥), a newly formed choir composed of CFA professors and staff. 鈥Haidee C. Pineda, images by Jefferson Villacruz
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