Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas conferred honorary citizenship to writer-journalist, poet, and impresario Pablo Arcilla Tariman in recognition of his artistic excellence and contribution to Iloilo’s Arts and Culture.
An honorary citizenship is a status bestowed on a foreign or native individual deemed as admirable or worthy of distinction.
Tariman was a proofreader-writer for the Graphic in 1971, covering politics, travel and entertainment. He returned to write exclusive features for the Philippines Graphic in 2022.
Since 2018, Tariman has presented eight concerts in Iloilo City, featuring world-acclaimed Filipino pianist Cecile Licad, 12-year-old cello prodigy Damodar Das Castillo, tenor Nomher Nival, soprano Jasmin Salvo, clarinetist Andrew Constantino, pianist Gabriel Paguirigan, and violinist Jeanne Marquez.
His intimate, standing ovation recitals performed in the premiere sites of Iloilo City were the toast of Iloilo’s arts and culture.
This Oct. 20, Tariman is mounting a concert of tenor Arthur Espiritu at the University of the Philippines Visayas Performing Arts Hall. The concert is in memory of Ilonggo tenor Otoniel Gonzaga, the first and last Filipino tenor to sing Verdi’s Otello and probably the first and last Filipino tenor to sing Calaf in Turandot.
The poems of Tariman were featured in The Best Asian Poetry 2021-2022, an international poetry anthology published in Singapore.
Other than Iloilo City, Tariman was likewise recognized as Outstanding Citizen of Manila by the City of Manila, Outstanding Pasigueño by the Pasig City government, and Outstanding Bicolano by the City of Legazpi.
Tariman further received Outstanding Citizenship recognition from the city government of Ilagan, Isabela.
He received a special plaque of appreciation from the City of Cebu for his artistic contribution to the city.
