Be fair to national artist awardees, NCCA asks critics

MANILA, Philippines - The chairperson of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) appealed to critics of this year’s national artists selection to be fair to awardees, particularly Cecile Guidote-Alvarez.

Education Undersecretary Vilma Labrador, NCCA chair, said her colleague was highly qualified for the distinction.

Delicadeza or propriety is an issue in the choice of Alvarez as national artist because the NCCA executive director was not nominated by the agency, she added.

Labrador said Alvarez was nominated by groups outside the NCCA and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the two bodies mandated to recommend the choice of national artist to the Office of the President.

It was Fr. James Reuter, Alejandro Roces and Sen. Edgardo Angara who pushed for Alvarez’s inclusion in this year’s national artists, she added.

Labrador said that the President has the prerogative to name awardees recommended from outside of the NCCA and CCP.

“The guidelines state that the duty of the CCP and NCCA board is to help in the processing of the nominees,” she said.

Labrador said the most important consideration in choosing the national artists are qualifications and their ability to meet the criteria set by law.

“All the names passed the criteria,” she said.

“(With regard to) Cecile Alvarez, it (criticisms) is so unfair. Look at her qualifications, her caliber, she will put the other national artists to shame.

“Cecile, through the journey of her life, she gave her flesh and blood to theater.”

Alvarez won the Ramon Magsaysay award for outstanding artist in public service at the age of 28 in 1972, Labrador said.

Alvarez accepts award

Meanwhile, Alvarez has accepted the national artist award.

“This award collectively belongs to all in theater who have worked in this endeavor, particularly my students, colleagues and partners in PETA, the Earthsavers, Balintataw, local governments, schools and NGOs in our country and overseas who have made possible successful evident models in showcasing arts as an essential ingredient for social justice and sustainable development,” she said.

Alvarez said she used her passion in the arts to “unleash the creativity of our people” to build the nation’s conscience of compassion, caring, sharing and healing.

Alvarez said she has received congratulatory messages from ambassadors, legislative leaders, the International Theatre Institute, Climate Institute, Population Media Center and La Mama.

“I am grateful that simple people who have been touched by our artistic efforts generously remember with their words of appreciation,” she said.

“It is unfortunate that our country is divided by politics. It is through arts that our people can be united. I pray that as the nourishing womb will eventually bond together our nation towards the betterment of our citizens.”  – Marvin Sy