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| Bienvenido Lumbera, National Artist for Literature Image from here |
I left Ateneo around two in the afternoon. It was hot enough to complain about it, and complain I did. I was glad that it was not hot in the area where he lives. The drive going to his house was very pleasant; getting lost did not seem so dreary as getting lost in Makati Central Business District. After driving around in circles and asking for directions, I finally found the entrance to his village, and made my way to his house.
Like Doctor Lumbera himself, his house is charming and seems to hold so many stories, both about the Philippines and about the man who lives in the house. There were several cats and dogs going around, or lazily sitting on rattan chairs by the entrance. Everything felt in harmony.
I had to wait for a while for Doctor Lumbera as he had an errand to do, so to keep myself busy I played with his grandchild and his dogs while watching TV. When he arrived, he apologized for being late. What is an hour-long wait for a chance to meet someone like him? As I've mentioned before, it is not every day that we meet people who dare to question Philippine society and actually take the initiative to find answers and fight for national identity. Doctor Lumbera smiled and shook my hand. I handed him a plastic bag full of atis fruits, and I was delighted to know that he loves eating them. The next moment I met his wife, Cynthia N. Lumbera. He led me to his second house, which is connected to the main house, and a scruffy puppy greeted me with excitement.
The dog would not leave me alone, but it was a welcoming sight. Everything around Doctor Lumbera seemed to welcome me, a visitor in a wise man's abode. I felt at ease despite the nervousness -- this was still the national artist whose poems accompanied me growing up. He opened the the capiz windows by the door, and the afternoon sunlight rushed to enter and illuminate the living room. A bit of sun reflected on his glasses as he sat down to my right. The dog suddenly went off and played with his food bowl.
Doctor Lumbera first asked me a series of questions: what my course is about, why my topic is on European film vs. American film in the Philippine context, and how my mother was (they're good friends). I answered his questions, and shyly told him if it would be all right if we can make the interview as casual as possible. I was very nervous: I was interviewing a national artist for crying out loud! I was really hoping that he won't think of my questions as simple, dull, or even dumb. But there was no time to ponder on such minute details. I started asking him his thoughts about the decline and the future of European film distribution and exhibition in the Philippines.
Doctor Lumbera first asked me a series of questions: what my course is about, why my topic is on European film vs. American film in the Philippine context, and how my mother was (they're good friends). I answered his questions, and shyly told him if it would be all right if we can make the interview as casual as possible. I was very nervous: I was interviewing a national artist for crying out loud! I was really hoping that he won't think of my questions as simple, dull, or even dumb. But there was no time to ponder on such minute details. I started asking him his thoughts about the decline and the future of European film distribution and exhibition in the Philippines.
As I am holding an oath as a researcher to not divulge any answer my interviewee gives, I will not discuss in detail what we talked about. However, I must say that he answered each question with experiential knowledge, talking about the history of the decline of European film distribution as if it only happened last week, and citing political ideologies as to why European film distribution decline in the Philippines. And that captivated me. This man knew film history, and knew it well. He was answering my questions based on his life, his experiences and the experience of others. Books and essays can only answer so much; Doctor Lumbera knew beyond the books.
The interview was about to end, but I wanted to ask so much more questions outside my thesis topic. However I was afraid of the traffic going home, and that I might be taking too much of his time already. I look forward to the next time we meet. I have to prepare a series of questions to ask him... questions about heritage preservation issues and cultural studies.
The interview was about to end, but I wanted to ask so much more questions outside my thesis topic. However I was afraid of the traffic going home, and that I might be taking too much of his time already. I look forward to the next time we meet. I have to prepare a series of questions to ask him... questions about heritage preservation issues and cultural studies.
Meeting and talking to Doctor Lumbera is definitely an experience I will never forget, as a gem like him is so rare these days. While my thesis topic and my purpose for visiting him are not directly related to heritage preservation, Doctor Lumbera is still an icon in culture: he is both creative and courage, and inspires to restlessly search for a clear path in being Filipino and what it is to be a global citizen. I hope to see more of him in my peers, and in myself as well -- we who are the present and future of the state and society, the protectors, promoters and preservers of the Filipino way in the rapidly globalizing world.
