Malacanang defends list of national artist awardees

MANILA, Aug. 4 — Malacanang officials defended today the list of this year’s national artist awardees, saying they are all qualified and have excellent background in the arts.

Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello said in a press briefing that President Arroyo’s choice of national artists should not be limited to the ones recommended by a certain group.

“The group that submitted the recommendations should realize that what they submitted are recommendations and that the decision is with the President. ….let’s not forget that there are other artists that came up with their own recommendations,” Bello explained.

He added that all of the seven national artists recently declared by President Arroyo have excellent credentials but not all recommendations submitted to Malacanang can be accommodated.

“What I am saying is that recommendations are not exclusive to the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA). In other words, the President is consulted and advised by other artists and artist groups,” Bello clarified.

When asked on the “delicadeza” issue following the inclusion of NCCA executive director Cecille Guidote Alvarez on the list, Bello said that there is no violation since her name was not submitted by NCCA but by the other groups of artists.

“Let us give that to Ms. Alvarez to decide if she can refuse the nomination or designation on grounds of delicadeza,” he added.

Presidential Economic Spokesperson Professor Gary Olivar said that people should not forget that Alvarez was the “leading light in the anti-Marcos cultural movement in the United States” and she also founded the Philippine Educational and Theater Group (PETA).

They also defended the inclusion of Carlo J. Caparas in the list of national artists as he was given the award side by side with legendary film maker and actor Manuel Conde.

Bello said that Caparas is very qualified as a national artist for he was responsible for the revival of comics, an “effective means of communication and education.”

“To my mind, the talent of Caparas cannot be said to be inferior to that of Mr. Conde although admittedly Mr. Conde is a great artist and that is without a doubt,” he added. Aside from Alvarez, Caparas and Conde, the other new national artists include Lazaro A. Francisco (posthumous award for literature); Federico Aguilar Alcuaz (visual arts, paintings, sculpture and mixed media); Francisco Bobby Manosa (architecture); and Jose Pitoy Moreno (fashion design).

The Order of National Artists is the highest national recognition given to Filipino artists. (PNA)

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