Ateneo's Literary and Cultural Studies Program inaugurates new office with an art exhibition titled “The Future is Present"

On 25 January 2025, the Literary and Cultural Studies Program (LCSP) of Ateneo de Manila University's School of Humanities (SOH) inaugurated its new office and gallery, hosting a blessing while opening its first exhibition, "The Future is Present."

The event began with a mass celebrated by Fr Jason Dy SJ, a faculty of the SOH's Fine Arts program whose artwork was one of those featured in the LCSP's gallery.

The mass was followed by a "ribbon cutting" ceremony where Fr Dy led the assembled crowd in a short prayer. In addition, LCSP director Dr Charlie Samuya Veric also gave some remarks on the opening of the office. He shared his dreams of making the space a productive and welcoming space for all, with the help of his colleagues Dr Oscar Campomanes; Ms Luisa Gomez, PLUME moderator; Ms Gabriela Martin; Dr Jocelyn Martin; Dr Vincenz Serrano; Mr. Francis Sollano, undergraduate and graduate coordinator; and Ms. Lovely Matore, the program secretary.

The "ribbon" was not a traditional one, but a garland consisting of a blooming vine and some flowers. Once the ribbon was cut, Fr Dy proceeded to bless the office and the artworks in the exhibition. 

The exhibition features works from artists both from within and outside the Ateneo community. These works were Eternal Garden, by Fr Jason Dy SJ; Marian and Ana, by Elwah Gonzales; A Sea on Fire II and Pasipiko I, by Joar Songcuya; Hidden and Seen, by Leslie E de Chavez; and A Wish for Clarity, by Mikhaela Marie.

The LCSP's student curators introduced the pieces to the crowd composed of literature majors, guests, faculty members, and members of the student organization PLUME. In addition, some of the artists who were in attendance also talked about their work and the creative process behind them while also thanking the program for giving them a space.

"The Future is Present” is still ongoing at the LCSP office, ground floor of the Horacio de la Costa Hall, at Ateneo de Manila University's Loyola Heights campus. A rotating exhibition, the show experiments with the office space, turning it into a site of shared creativity, innovation, and inspiration. 

The Literary and Cultural Studies Program offers degrees in AB Literature (English) and MA in Literary and Cultural Studies. For more information, please e-mail litcs.soh@ateneo.edu or visit the program’s website.