THE MAVERICK MARIVIC RUFINO (Last part) (March 26, 2012)

MARIVIC RUFINO WITH HER SOFT ART IN MADRID DURING HER EXHIBIT ROMANZA IN HONOR OF DR. JOSE RIZAL'S 150TH BIRTHDAY LAST 19 JUNE

Vim Nadera: Any attempt to collect your columns in one anthology?
Marivic Rufino: Last year I collaborated for a book of paintings with poetry called Romanza with poets Rio Alma and Marne Kilates.

VN: How was it working with National Artist Virgilio Almario and translator Marne Kilates?
MR: It is wonderful to work with our National Artist Virgilio Almario and poet/ translator Marne Kilates. Marne edited the book by selecting 38 short poems and matching them with my artworks. Rio is so simple and humble despite his stature. Marne is so supportive. We enjoyed working together for over two years to produce our "triptych." Romanza is the title I chose for my exhibit because some of the paintings that I brought to Spain are in the book. Thus, I have Romanza II. the show that was presented by the Peninsula Manila. The same 20 paintings that traveled to Madrid plus new artworks and soft art.

VN: And you exhibited it in Madrid too? In honor of Dr. Jose Rizal’s 150th birth anniversary? Could you give us the details?
MR: I am an admirer of Jose Rizal and when the Embassy through Consul General Celia Anna Feria asked me to mount an exhibit for his 150th birthday, I was touched. It was a great honor for me to do it for the country. The program had poetry reading, speeches about Rizal, dances from the Cordilleras to launch Mes Filipino (Filipino Month) at the Museo Nacional de Antropologia. It was a month long exhibit and festival. On Sunday, June 19th, we were at the Rizal Monument in Madrid. The program that started with a chronological photo exhibit at the Metro Station Islas Filipinas then we went to the monument where we sang our national anthem and Bayan Ko. Doves flew and it was a stirring moment to witness such an event. Filipino kids read Rizal's poetry in Spanish.

VN: This year, you just had your 17th solo exhibit in Romanza II. We noticed some new daring things in terms of color, form, and medium. Kindly articulate those “experiments” like the umbrella or chair or pillow or clock and other souvenir items with your painting. 

MR: Soft art is practical art. My paintings on a sofa, chair, three-panel screen divider, tapestry, pillows lamp, bag, glass table, and parasol would be more accessible, affordable. I've done a few pieces in a previous exhibit but this one was on a bigger scale. My friend Tessie Sy Coson encouraged me to do more soft, practical art. And I happily took her advice.

VN: Are all the proceeds from your exhibits always go to St. Mary’s House? What or who are your other beneficiaries? Why?
MR: My proceeds go to St, Mary's House in Tagaytay and Serra's Center in Pasay. Both are run by the Oblate Sisters of the Most Holy Redeemer. My advocacy is to help abused girls, victims of incest. The sisters have a noble mission and I am one of their sponsors through my art and my productions. I don't make money. I earn some to help the girls. It's easy to write a cheque and donate. But it's a labor of
love to mount an exhibit for them. Over the years, I have helped PREDIS, the foundation for young music scholars of St. Scholastica's College and St. Martin's School in Baguio, run by the Assumption sisters. I attended both Assumption Convent-College and SSC so I try to help when I can. I go on spiritual retreats at the Assumption Sabbath place in Baguio. 

VN: How would you see yourself five or ten years from now? MR: I don't plan for the future. God inspires me, shows me what to do and I follow the signs. it's Divine inspiration. I only plan exhibits when the timing is right. Probably, I will write a book on life. I'd love to work with Rio Alma and Marne K. on another book of poetry with art.