The University of Santo Tomas Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies (UST-CCWLS), with the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino and National Commission for Culture and the Arts, will be holding “Banyuhay: Bagong Anyo, Bagong Buhay.”

Subtitled “Brushes with Chords and Chords 2017,” it will feature two main events.

The first is a weeklong exhibit, April 24-29, of paintings and drawings that had served as cover designs and illustrations of literary titles; this will be in the main lobby of the UST Miguel de Benavides Central Library. Exhibit will be curated by Mary Ann Venturina-Bulanadi of the UST College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD).

Second is a performance (dramatic/poetry readings, song numbers) of the cutting-edge and/or nationalistic works of National Artists for Literature and emerging writers on April 26, 5-7 p.m., at the Thomas Aquinas Research Center Auditorium.

Performance will be directed by Bernardo Bernardo, UST CCWLS senior visiting fellow and a veteran stage and film actor, director, and playwright, with musical direction by dean Antonio P. Africa of the UST Conservatory of Music and production design by assistant professor Rodolfo S. Olaso of UST CFAD.

Featured National Artists include Virgilio S. Almario, Francisco Arcellana, Cirilo F. Bautista, Levi Celerio, Ernani J. Cuenco, Nick Joaquin, F. Sionil Jose, Bienvenido L. Lumbera, Edith L. Tiempo, Rolando S. Tinio and Jose Garcia Villa.

“Brushes with Words and Chords” is one of the UST CCWLS’s oldest existing programs and dates back to the time of its founding director, Ophelia Alcantara Dimalanta.

It is a collaborative production between CCWLS, Miguel de Benavides Central Library, UST Publishing House, Faculty of Arts and Letters, UST Conservatory, CFAD and UST Graduate School, and consists of literary readings and musical performances featuring UST officials, faculty members, alumni and students, as well as exhibits featuring Thomasian artists and affiliates.

Events open to the public. Call Anna Cecilia Nicolas at 4061611 local 8281.