Pablo Tariman’s second book, Encounters in the Arts, is due for release this month.

With introduction by writer Jose Dalisay, the book has 586 pages with profiles and reportage on the country’s leading artists from music, opera, literature, and cinema.

Leading the personages in music are Cecile Licad, Gary Graffman, Luciano Pavarotti, Jose Carreras, Andrea Bocelli, Nelly Miricioiu, Lucio San Pedro, Francisco Feliciano, Ramon Santos, Otoniel Gonzaga, Arthur Espiritu, Vladimir Spivakov, Kurt Masur, Gerard Salonga, Helen Quach, Rowena Arrieta, Nena del Rosario Villanueva, Lucrecia Kasilag, Redentor Romero, Basilio Manalo, and Luis Valencia, among others.

The theater personalities in the book are Zenaida Amador, Baby Barredo, Lea Salonga, Behn Cervanes, and Nora Aunor, among others.

In his second book, Tariman recalls first encounters with Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal, Peque Gallaga, John Lloyd Cruz, Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Ricky Lee, Joel Lamangan, Brilliante Mendoza, Cherie Gil, Pen Medina, John Arcilla, and Paul Cedrick Juan.

In the literary section of the book are Kerima Polotan Tuvera, Carmen Guerrero Nakpil, Gilda Cordero Fernando, Angela Manalang Gloria, Marra Lanot, and Pete Lacaba.

Leading the personages in the category of cultural heroes are Zenaida “Nedy” R. Tantoco, Cambodian Prince Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong, who was involved in the Manila production of Turandot, Science City of Munoz vice mayor Nestor Alvarez, and the Bicolano renaissance man, Everardo Napay.

The two piano tuners of Cecile Licad, Danny Lumabi, and Alexander Comoda, are also profiled in the book. 

So are dance icons Natalia Makarova, Maya Plisetskaya, Patrick Bissell, Manila Barredo, Nonoy Froilan, Nicolas Pacana, Alice Reyes, Agnes Locsin, Tita Radaic, Shirley Halili-Cruz, Denise Parungao, Vella Damian, and Perry Sevidal, among others.

The new generations of artists are represented by Nilo Alcala, Stefanie Quintin, Diomedes Saraza, Jr.,  Andrew Constantino, Jeanne Marquez, Jason Marquez, Aaron Aguila, Samuel Asistores, Adrik Cristobal, and more.

Leandro V. Locsin and Pablo Antonio are the only architects profiled in encounters in the Tariman book.  

In his advance notice on the book, columnist Randy David and professor emeritus of sociology, University of the Philippines said: “No one knows the Philippine performing arts scene inside out better than Pablo Tariman. For almost half a century, Pablo has been a tireless chronicler of some of the country’s most memorable artistic happenings. Artists implicitly trust him because he understands their needs and their vulnerabilities. He listens; he doesn’t judge. He remains in awe of how they balance the demands of their artistry with the exigencies of their lives as ordinary mortals. This book attests to the author’s sharpness as an observer of the arts and empathy as a human being.”

Copy editor of the book is Elizabeth Lolarga and book cover design and layout by Jennifer Patricia Cariño with cover photo by Patrick Diokno and author’s photo by Richard Sy-Facunda.

The exact date of book launching will be announced soon. Call 09065104270 or email: [email protected].