Art Broken
The Cultural Center was not consulted about the changes, contrary to the pronouncements made by the Palace.
The added names outnumber the peer-selected ones.
One of the finalist names was dropped from the list. (And to this day, we have neither been told why nor who decided to remove that name.)
Later, we were told that the “dropped” artist was still being considered.
It seemed the N.C.C.A. knew about the changes, but chose not to share the same with the C.C.P..
The National Artist Awards have become a matter of national interest and opinion.
A Congressional inquiry into the matter has taken place!
Although she signed all seven proclamations, the president has said nothing more.
A legal case has been filed; arguments and positions have been submitted.
It is now in the hands of the Supreme Court.
The artistic furor that marked August and September has subsided somewhat since the Supreme Court granted a temporary stay in the conferment of the awards. Admittedly, however, damage has already been done. The process has been compromised by the inclusion of persons who, although they were nominated, had already been previously eliminated in favor of more deserving nominees. The process has also been subverted by considering someone who is clearly disqualified by the guidelines. An “Honors Committee” has suddenly materialized where there was none before, and apparently is so powerful that it can pick anyone to receive this award. How can such a selection process have any credibility, to artists as well as to the public? What does it make of our current National Artists?
There are more questions the present situation raises, which may not all be resolved by the Supreme Court, whichever way it rules. If it grants the president the power to name as many National Artists as he or she wants . . . then, I’m afraid that there goes the prestige. The Order of National Artists would be tarnished forever.
On a Friday afternoon, disillusionment and anger found passionate artistic expression in drama, poetry, theater, and music. No one got hurt; all were entertained; the point was made.
If it upholds the process that has been in place until recently, then we may begin to believe again. A nation’s soul is reflected in its art, and that is why artists deserve special respect; that is why art is always aspirational in the sense that it seeks the highest standards even as it desires to connect and resonate with the greatest number of people. High standards often don’t equate with popularity, and that’s fine, too.
Arts and culture should remain free and unfettered by politics. I doubt that anyone will argue against that. Now, to take it there, we need to start working seriously on a new Arts and Culture Charter that will effectively protect the sector from political intervention and maneuvering, while giving it sufficient support and allowing it to discover and develop its own kind of artistic and cultural leaders. Fortunately, recent events have widened the network of artists and given them fresh new allies among lawmakers and legal advisers.
Given the tremendous economic returns from creative industries today and the astounding creative potential of a country as gifted as the Philippines, we can only be heading for something good.
