Poet Oliver Andrade Pandile: Artistic Ingenue and Academic Stalwart

An early starThe youngest of fifteen (15) children, Oliver Andrade Pandile knew and felt from the start that he was going to be different from his siblings who were content to be polite, courteous, respectful, industrious, God-fearing and who all fit into the classical mold of the model children of model parents.He just knew that he possessed a gift and that he was determined to make use of it and was just as determined to share it with the world. The gift was the use of words, lyrical, at once intriguing and full of hope which he could best express through poetry. Tagalog poetry was the venue he chose to find fulfillment for his hopes, aspirations and even his take on life and love. He also made use of the English language to express a wide range of emotions but it was in Tagalog poetry where his star shone even brighter.At the Lyceum of the Philippines University he founded the schools official drama guild, the Tanghalang Batingaw where he produced and directed stage play such as; Junto Al Pasig, Kabesang Tales, Paglilitis Ni Mang Serapio, Unang Alay, Juego De Prenda, GoodbyeMy Gentle, Isang Madilim Na Silid, Si Elena, Si Corazon, Bigla-bigla, Isang Umaga, and Isang Dakot Na Bigas. Needless to say, he also starred in a good number of them. All ten plays have been performed on the Tanghalang Batingaw stage and in selected schools nationwide in countless performances. The drama guild now counts more than 800 members.A born workaholic, Oliver juggled his schedule to accommodate academics while giving even more attention to his creative pursuits. He launched full-time into writing poetry both in tagalog and English, eventually publishing his works, all 13 of them, and counting.In between all this, he founded still another theater, the Experimental Theater Foundation (based at the Pamantasan Ng Lungsod Ng Maynila) whose objective was not only to showcase and enhance appreciation for Philippine poetry but also to provide a venue for aspiring PLM students to showcase their talents and eventually, to publish or stage their works. With a core of 30 actors and crew, the ETF has since called on more than 300 talents and stagehands who have staged a number of original works as well as adaptions. Being experimental, the performances brought a much-appreciated novelty both in concept and performances, bringing much-needed freshness in approach and visual impact.Social responsibility is an important concern for Oliver such that many of his pursuits resulted in his donation of countless books and talent fees to selected schools and institutions. Both drama guilds therefore became conduits for Olivers charitable programs. Tanghalang Batingaw is now on its 38th year while the experimental Theater Foundation is now on its 26th.Both institutions have become silent witnesses to Olivers creative brilliance while propelling many aspiring artists to heights heretofore unimagined, all because of one persons desire to share his protean talents with the world. All of them have therefore become silent testimonials to an idea that didnt stop there. The idea took off because it refused to die at the drawing board; it had to be wrenched out of there by one indefatigable artistic ingnue who was consumed by the desire to share it with as many people as possible. Oliver works and never stops. The workaholic who is also an artist, an artist possessed. Talent that refuses to be silenced.

A true-blue ManilenoOliver was born in Binondo, Manila the original progenitor of Manilas Spanish colonial history. Peace-time politics firmly ensconced Olivers father in the forefront of grassroots influence in politics long before the term was invented. His word became the imprimatur for voters who heeded his quiet request to vote for a favored candidate. Some of the famous beneficiaries of his gentle persuasion were former Senator Diokno, Gerry Roxas, Jose Roy and many others who preferred to remain silent to this day.

Olivers ancestral home twice won the Cleanest House award during the tenure of Mayor Villegas when the City of Manila was still the countrys premier city. A silent factor in considering the criteria was the untainted and untarnished reputation the family possessed while marching in tune with the morals of the times. With not the slightest hint of scandal the familys reputation was assured of community emulation which a true Manileno aspired for at the time.

A gem from the academeThe Pamantasan Ng Lungsod Ng Maynila has been the grateful recipient of Oliver A Pandiles prolific talents and his pursuit of excellence. In his 25 years of Service in the revered institution, he brought with him a unique brand of service that bore his stamp work and more hard work. Here, he earned his doctorate degree after writing a dissertation on the Universitys culture, an idea that aims to reculture the University and to refocus on culture and the arts, giving impetus to the development of the true renaissance man.

Oliver A, Pandile is serving as Dean of the Universitys College of Tourism, where he held various positions in the past. His 25 years in the Universitys service has remained immaculate, untainted by the slightest hint of scandal of any kind.

Before making headway in the academe, AP was a recruitment and training manager for a number of companies while constantly engaging in creative pursuits. In 2009, the Lyceum of the Philippines University conferred upon him the Outstanding Alumnus Award for Humanities.

Olivers tireless efforts to promote Philippines Literature especially in the field of poetry and the stage prompted Manila ex-Mayor Mel Lopez to cite him thus:Indeed, as you have put it succinctly, there appears top be a perceptible reawakening of interest in Filipino works, both in literary and artistic fields. This recent development should inspire you even more to come out with anthologies and literary work truly Filipino in character and psyche. And added: This great City is proud you have a son like you.

During all this time, Oliver continued to conduct to conduct free workshop in selected schools which also prompted Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim to recognize Olivers efforts in still another plaque that extolled his ability to make the young love the arts and fulfill the mission of transmitting the truth of life via the legitimate stage

Former PLM President Benjamin Tayabas took notice of Olivers quest and write thus: Thus poetic talent that he possesses is a rare gift that we, at the Pamantasan Ng Lungsod Ng Maynila, are proud of Oliver has a distinct role to achieve: that of developing in the students an understanding and appreciation of aesthetic values that enrich human experience

The latter observation is sufficient proof that academe can indeed be an effective vehicle for the appreciation of the arts even as a reculturing in this area can be promoted with expected positive results.

A priceless legacy

In such a rarefiled as the arts, literature and stage are some of the most demanding disciples. To excel in both is an achievement at once edifying and spiritual. Leaving legacy that bears indelible stamps from both Muses is a gift bestowed only to a very few. When Oxford University Press chose Oliver to translate Japanese poet laureate, Daisaku Ikedas book of selected poems, Olivers legacy in the realm of literature was sealed. More affirmation was offered by National Artist Nick Joaquin when he wrote of one of Olivers book of poems: Gnomic and haunting, these verses bring into Tagalog poetry a much-needed terseness and actuity.

Thus has Nick Joaquin put the finishing touches to the pedestal that these great witnesses enshrined Oliver on. A fitting tribute by the masters to someone so young and yet so tireless. Someone who works and never stops and who expects nothing in return except for the hope that someone along the way may benefit from the prodigious gifts that he has been bestowed.

Oliver has shown many of us the way to success and that is: in order to achieve something you must work hard at it. Nothing original but his brand of work is all unique and original. Work hard, it never fails; a formula Oliver has adhered to all his life that has enabled him to bequeath a legacy to us, lesser mortals.

In his literary works, Oliver constantly speaks of the promise of rebirth as the seasons dictate the cycles of life and death. But he hews very closely to the concept of rebirth as it triumphs over death, a recurring and haunting theme in Olivers exceptional body of literature that is his legacy. Truly, a legacy of transcendence.

Oliver Andrade Pandile cannot be held in place by one field. Not by the academe or the arts alone; not by the corporate world or the profession alone. Indeed, Oliver belongs to the world which has learned to embrace him, body and soul even as he bestows upon it a legacy of a body of works both in writing, on stage and a work ethic that finds no comparison.

(For the forgoing, is my utmost pride and honor to nominate Mr. Oliver Andrade Pandile for the (name of award).

Thank you very much.

Name of Nominator, signature, position title and date.