It’s only been three days since Filipinos buried their well-loved former President Cory Aquino but it seems the gloves are already coming off against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Now we are hearing cries of dagdag-bawas in the National Artist awards and how politics is perceived to have factored into the selection of 7 awardees, with Malacanang removing four of those recommended by the National Commission on Culture and Arts and one being ‘inserted’.
Caffeine Sparks’ piece about the controversy is the most biting I’ve come across, with the blogpost title encapsulating the brouhaha: Kultura ng Korupsyon, Korupsyon ng Kultura (Culture of Corruption, Corruption of Culture).
http://filipinovoices.com/kultura-ng-korupsyon-korupsyon-ng-kultura
http://caffeinesparks.blogspot.com/2009/08/kultura-ng-korupson-korupsyon-ng.html
Two of the Malacanang-selected awardees have become the focus of denunciations: Carlo J. Caparas the film director and komiks story writer better known for his massacre movies, and Ms. Cecille Guidote Alvarez, founder of PETA – The Philippine Educational Theater Association and wife of Heherson ‘Sonny’ Alvarez, a former senator and former Environment secretary who is now Pres. Arroyo’s adviser on climate change.
Ms. Guidote-Alvarez says protesting artists are exploiting the death of President Corazon Aquino by staging a “funeral” for the National Artist Awards.
Ang mahalaga, katotohanan ang lumabas. Hindi ako naguumpisa ng away pero huwag naman nilang tuligsain ang karangalan, katauhan, at pangalan ko dahil yun lang ang pamana ko sa aking mga anak. Kapag ganun na, kailangang tumindig at magtanggol (The important thing is for the truth to come out. I do not start fights but if my good name is dragged into this, I will have no other choice than to stand up and fight).
Caparas’ selection appears quite sticky.
He’s been named national artist for visual arts even as he himself does not draw.
His best selling comic books were all drawn by other people!.
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/1704
Equally galling is how Caparas himself has been exhibiting what many feel is an arrogant posture while refusing to give proper credit to the genuine designers of his comic book sagas.
As the weekend began, protesters held a program mourning the ‘death’ of the national artists awards with several pat honorees returning their medallions, while Malacanang is simply saying Mrs. Arroyo has full prerogative to make her dagdag-bawas.
http://www.bworldonline.com/BW080809/content.php?id=071
No wonder Caparas’ posture of arrogance is the way it is.
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It would appear that the Ms. Arroyo never learned the skill of delegating to skilled people, whether kicking back Supreme Court “short lists” or artists, it seems like it has to be her way. Given the taint of favors that underpin official workings (bags of cash and all), it is easy to say that the award is useless, for it does not award the art, but the connection. It is the same way that favoritism stocks the government with cronies and pals and family members instead of recognizing highly skilled, productive workers. I’d say it is obscene but I’ll leave the judgments to Filipinos.
Joe
I believe that Artist Awards can be left alone to those who are
really in the Artist field. Let us leave politics out in this area.
A politician has no business poking his or her nose in selecting
the awardees. The artists know who they think stands out in their own fields.
In Nazi Germany, Hitler had his own “reich artists”. But artists as a lot were the last down to bow down to Hitler and no artist of repute ever accepted the accolade. The lawyers were first, the scientists second….
Mula kay Mari Avellana na anak ni Daisy Avellana, National Artist for Theater,1999 at Lamberto Avellana, National Artist for Theater and Film, 1976; Your passion, selfless dedication and tremendous work have finally earned the penultimate reward. And it is about time. Bravo!
Galing naman kay Sen. Edgardo Angara: You are most deserving. A huge honor for your pioneering and imaginative work. Baler is an unintended beneficiary of your glory for all the things you have done for Baler 4000.
Ang sabi naman ni Gov. Sally Perez ng Antique:I cannot just sit and listen to criticisms against Cecile. I feel I must defend her. She is a very accomplished woman, and deser4ving of the award. She has contributed so much to the country especially her cultural caregiving.
Cecile’s contribution to Philippine theater cannot be undervalued and she was honored as Ramon Magsaysay awardee in 1972.
Basahin naman ang inilahad ni Resurrecion S. Morales, chief education section ng New Bilibid Prison, Bureau of Corrections: Ms.Cecile Guidote Alvarezis one very commendable artist who deserves all the accolades and praises. She has worked so hard to bring the love of arts to the grassroot and has vigorously campaigned to put Philippine Culture and Arts at the pedestal of fame.
She has given time for the inmates to showcase their singing and dancing talent .Many people have been reached through this program, and giving them a deeper understanding and a new perception about offender.
Mrs. Alvarez is an instrument for our advocacy efforts amplifying the fact that even a criminal has something good in himself so that Arts can bridge the gap between an outcast and the society.