Iggy Rodriguez

One of the 2009 CCP Thirteen Artists Awardee makes visual art that focuses on Philippine socio-political setting. He was an advertising major at the University of Santo Tomas College of Architecture and Fine Arts. He works collaboratively with UGATLahi, an organization of visual artists in the Philippines, on governmental effigies and installations. This politically inclined artist already had his first solo exhibit entitled Kimi Imik that showcased his drawings and paintings with social sentiments and struggles of the people. The artist I am referring to is Raul Ignacio “Iggy” Rodriguez.

Iggy’s ballpoint drawings reconstruct urban backgrounds that are mysterious in nature. Most of his untitled drawings show our society in swerving paths. Some contain a man made with fire or wind; or an urbanized setting with governmental flaws depicted by struggling Filipinos.  His drawings are surreal encompassed in daily Filipino activities. I try my best to illustrate what each artwork depicts and most of them go beyond imagination. One of his drawings shows an old man lifting a junk of problems. Drawn only with ink, it manifests Filipinos that are tired enough of everyday dilemmas. Objects seen in that artwork include a ladder, a television, a shield, and a gear. Another drawing shows a blindfolded drunkard signifying the corrupt men in our administration. It sits at the back of a large pig situated somewhere in a graveyard. It illustrates their greed in money and power despite the helpless plight of our fellowmen.

Iggy’s life has already been overshadowed by his illegal arrest along with six other activists last May 2009 due to their protest against the demolition of houses in Sucat, Parañaque. No surprise why his works portray his resentment toward the administration.

The artworks of Iggy remind and let us fully realize the afflictions our nation has been experiencing. Iggy said in one interview, “Let us not limit ourselves; nothing is given to us naturally, it all starts in asking questions but eventually, we have to answer the ultimate question, ‘For whom do we offer our work?” Certainly, in his view as a social realist, he meant that we should be more vigorous and attentive regarding the socially inflicted problems and that we should live for the people and not just with the people.

Mindset

It has been four years since the Blue Eagles continuously won the championship in UAAP Men's basketball tournament. Since then, I have not heard of UP Fighting Maroons making it belong to the top. Is it because we prioritized academics more than sports? Do UP students have more academic load compared to Tamaraws, Thomasians, or Ateneans?  Or do we lack the budget to build sports facilities for proper training? When we consider these reasons, I think that they are only minor factors. Although they can have an effect on the performance of UP, I believe there is even a greater hindrance than these.

In all of the seasons of the UAAP, UP was not always at the bottom. I remember hearing news that during the time of Benjie Paras, the Maroons dominated basketball. Although even at that time, I believe that the university's lacking of facilities and having academic load to students had no big difference compare to the present. One thing I believe that causes our losing streaks is that we have set our minds that UP will lose. Whenever there is a game, most of the UP students already expect a loss and I am one of them. It is true that I never hoped that UP will be able to comprise the top 4. Also, I would tell that it would be a miracle if UP wins against a formidable opponent like UST or Ateneo. I wonder what the players would think if they hear this statement. If I am one of the players, I would not be motivated to play and I would not also hope to win. The people already know that we have the intelligence. We just have to use and set our mind into hoping. After all, the one that we should not throw away is our hope. Even if the odds are low but as long as we have it, there would still be a chance to succeed.

Déjà vu

A play was performed in the rooftop of the Vinzons Hall, UP Diliman last September 30, 2011. I thought at first why when we were about to enter the room, there were some who wear military uniforms. They were shouting and scolding us in order to fix the line entering the venue, as if they had all the authority. They asked all those sitting on the floor to compress, however not in the proper manner. It looked like they were forcing the audience, although some of us laughed because we knew it was part of the play. It was then that I realized that the "Poldet" was something about martial law, and the authority were doing the same thing when martial law was declared decades ago.

There was a part of the play, when someone was narrating about déjà vu. Some events in the present, also happened in the time of Marcos. During his administration, there were many cases of people being abducted, tortured and even killed. Many media men had been killed for their dedication to reveal the truth. And there were numerous political detainees, which were denied by Marcos himself. The same things happened in the time of Arroyo, as well as Noynoy's.

In simple terms, nothing changed significantly from Marcos administration to the present. But I think there are a few like those unwanted incidents in the time of martial law that are secretly being executed in the present.

But probably we can find the origin of all of these back in the Spanish occupation. The Spanish government and friars held the Filipinos in their throat. It was like that one little move against them, then you will end up wounded or dead – the same in the time of martial law. Though I haven't heard about them speaking about the Spanish in the play, the Filipinos were probably more hurt with their fellow countrymen giving them pain and suffering than with the foreigners enslaving the country.

The play just showed how history repeated itself. When worse comes to worst, there will be an event that will trigger again a change. However, people will return to their usual lives before the event and just forget about what lessons they have learned. When people feel like there is something wrong, that is when they will try to make a change again but will return back like nothing happened after some time  The same things kept on happening ever since then. I think this has always been like this for the Filipinos; "Dito lang sa Pilipinas (Only in the Philippines)."

Retro Cut

Last 21-23 September 2011, the UP community with other state universities and colleges (SUCs) launched a strike to oppose the government's move to slash the budget on education and social services. To make it a successful disapproval, various groups and organizations supported the 3-day activity. There had been college walkouts, a fashion show, film showing, Alternatibong KLASe (AKLAS), dorm campout, a retro cultural night, and of course the march from Diliman to Mendiola called Isko Tsunami Walk.

Narra Youth singing "State University"

One of which I attended was the retro-themed cultural night entitled "Walastik, Dehins sa Cuts, Repapips!" It was held Thursday night at the AS steps. I was with my blockmates Euan, Andrea, and Vigel. A lot of organizations were present to perform with regards to the education crisis. Some of the performers we've watched were the UP Dance Company, UP Speca, the band Progeny, Narra Youth, and Anton and the Salvadors.

Here are the photos of the said night:

Strike Shirts provided by the LFS

UP Dance Company

Progeny

Other organizations present in the solidarity were the Center for the Nationalist Studies (CNS), League of Filipino Students (LFS), and the UP Repertory Company. I and Andrea decided to go home early while Euan and Vigel, who are dormers, stayed.