The many roads that led Yul Servo Nieto to where he is now
Manila residents know John Marvin Nieto, or Yul Servo, as a steadfast public servant who always puts his best foot forward in everything he does. He served the people of Manila as councilor, congressman, and now vice mayor.
Despite his success as a public servant, it took some time before getting on the path that brought him there.
As the son of an architect and visual artist Martin Nieto, the Manila Vice Mayor wanted to follow in his footsteps. He first enrolled in architecture but saw the difficulties in the course. He later shifted to becoming a police officer. Eventually, he received an opportunity to enter showbiz.
He won several Best Actor awards from events, along with some for Best Supporting Actor. Later, a path toward public service led him to become the politician Manila residents know today. Yet that’s not where Nieto’s passions end.
With some influence from his father and a distinct personal style, Nieto also dabbles in artistic pursuits, having exhibited in various groups and solo shows. But if there’s one thing that Nieto hopes to try soon as a next step for his artistic expression, it’s directing.
Nieto continues to further his artistic passions, and his recent endeavor is his second solo exhibit, aptly titled Directions II, unveiled on June 11 at The Manila Hotel’s Art Gallery.
It takes Nieto’s penchant for repurposing scrap metals by turning them into masterpieces, inspiring stories from the people he encountered, and maps. The pieces on display at Directions II also feature overhead views of specific places in Manila.
The Manila Vice Mayor found maps fascinating and valuable throughout his career because they always took him to where he needed to go. He saw inspiration from them as he thought of what to do with pieces of scrap metal he kept.
As for its name, Directions II, it seems appropriate because Nieto took different directions in life, as he did throughout the years, even if it meant going through alleyways and other areas. But the journey and the people he met along the way made it worthwhile as he pursued his interests while making meaningful connections and impressions.
He spent half a year creating the pieces on display, often finding time from his work in the city. It was a labor of love, despite the strenuous process of piecing the metal scraps together to form a cohesive picture and painting them with several coats of automotive paint to bring the piece together.
Coinciding with the 125th Philippine Independence Day on June 12, Nieto found a way to incorporate the colors of the Philippine flag into his artworks.
Also present in the unveiling of Directions II were incumbent Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna and former Manila mayor Isko Moreno. Both called Nieto an inspiration and praised him on how the vice mayor accomplished another milestone in his life.
Yet there’s still more to the pieces than the expression of Nieto’s artistic side or the stories he longs to tell. Proceeds from the sales of his works will go to selected beneficiaries and charitable organizations that provide for mothers, children, and elders, among others.
Directions II, a solo exhibit by Nieto, is now on display at The Manila Hotel’s Art Gallery until July 10.
