Ben Madilynn
January 27, 2025 | 9:54am
— Most people recognize Yul Servo as either an actor or a politician, but only a few would associate him as a fellow with artistic inclinations.
Raised in Manila, John Marvin Cruz Nieto became Yul Servo in 2001 when he pursued acting. He started in theater and eventually starred in films, such as “Batang West Side,” “Naglalayag,” and “Torotot.”
His foray into politics began in 2007 as Manila city councilor. In 2016, after his limit term ended, he began representing Manila’s 3rd congressional district. In 2022, he began his post as vice mayor of the city where he grew up in.
But the young Yul, however, was already inclined in the arts. It was fostered by his father, architect Martin Nieto. He grew up watching him and his siblings take up the brush and paint away.
“‘Yung father ko lagi kong nakikitang nagdro-drawing. ‘Yung mga kapatid ko lagi kong nakikitang nagdro-drawing. Sila, magagaling silang mag-drawing. Nakukuha talaga nila ‘yung hitsura ‘pag drinowing nila. Ako, laging abstract ‘yung drawing ko noong bata ako e,” Yul said to Philstar.com.
The actor-politician, who is also easily identifiable by his smiling face, sat down with Philstar.com for a few minutes after the launch of his ongoing sixth solo show “Directions VI” at the Art Gallery in the historic Manila Hotel.
His medium was different, one that makes use of scraps that give them a new lease on life.
“Ang sa akin noon, ang hilig ko, kunyari, may scrap, ‘pag pinagsama-sama mo, nagiging art e. Pero hindi ko alam na art pala ‘yun. Sa akin nu’ng bata ako, ‘pag pinagsama-sama ko ‘yung mga bagay na hindi mo na magagamit, eh, para sa akin, nae-enjoy ko na,” Yul recalled.
He loves maps, and when he was young, he made animals, like horses, from scrap. Unfortunately, Yul said he was not able to save them.
“Ngayong paglaki ko, art pala ‘yun na maganda. Sayang, hindi ko naitabi ‘yung mga ginagawa ko noon,” he shared.
The young Yul also learned welding, and it even enhanced his artistry.
The actor-politician’s fixation for scraps has even led him to store them for six years. He said it was reserved for a future exhibit. And when he was earlier invited to a group show, he had a six-year worth of scraps to make maps out of them.
Homage to his city
A certified Manila boy, Yul’s ongoing one-man show in Manila Hotel features Chinese temples, in time for the upcoming Chinese New Year on January 29, and a mapping of the streets of Manila.
He calls his art as wall-mounted metal art. For the Manila Hotel show, he used bronze and gold-plated alloy with bolts, nuts, screws and hinges to create a seven-piece collection of five wall-mounted metal art and two free-standing sculptures.
While he can draw, he usually makes his art straight from his head. It is for this reason that he sometimes loses an inspiration, as opposed to doing a sketch or drawing before jumping into the process of making his next artwork.
“Hindi ako nagdro-drowing. Lahat ng ginagawa ko, nasa utak ko lang. Diretso lang. Pero nga sabi ko nga, mahirap ‘pag gano’n ang proseso kasi nakakalimutan ko e. Kasi minsan may papasok sa akin na tingin ko maganda tapos makakalimutan ko,” he shared.
He excitedly shared that he is making lamesa (table) and bangkuan (stool) for his next show. He has a list of commissioned works, but he has to find time to make them.
Yul said it was important to him not to miss his regular Tuesday and Thursday sessions as part of his duty as the second-in-command in the city of Manila.
Like his previous shows, proceeds from the “Directions VI” will go to causes close to his heart.
“Lahat ng kinikita ng artwork ko, napupunta sa mga foundations, pagtulong. Health, education, arts. Doon ko dinadala ‘yung mga pagkikitaan niya. Ngayon naman ang kita naman nito mapupunta sa mga nangangailangan ng wheelchair, hearing aid, tungkod (walking cane), walker, nebulizer at pang BP (blood pressure),” he said.
Yul admitted that he found it difficult to source scrap materials these days, but his preference for it is deeply rooted since he had seen, as a child, how they could be repurposed.
“‘Yung mga scrap o basura na tingin ng iba, pwede mong magawang iba e. Pwede mong mabuhay na pwedeng magagamit, pwedeng art. Para hindi rin sayang.”
