Finally, ‘Da King’ named nat’l artist

It’s final.

The late Fernando Poe Jr., the acknowledged "king" of Philippine movies and main rival of President Arroyo in the May 2004 elections, has been declared a national artist for his contribution to the local movie industry.

Six other people have been named national artist for their significant contributions in their respective fields.

The list of possible awardees for national artists that was released last April generated controversy after Malacañang clarified the awarding was not yet final. Some claimed there was malice behind the hesitation and said Poe’s award might be taken back.

But Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said politics played no part in the choice of national artists and that there were only further deliberations to complete the number of awardees for this year.

Aside from Poe who is being cited for his contributions to the film industry, the other awardees are Bienvenido Lumbera for literature, Ramon Obusan for dance, Benedicto Cabrera, painting; Ildefonso Santos, architecture; Ramon Valera for fashion design, and Abdulmari Asia Imao for sculpture.

Poe and Valera are posthumous awardees. The President issued Proclamation Nos. 1065-1071 individually declaring the seven as national artists for "preeminent achievements that have enhanced the Filipino’s cultural heritage deserve the recognition and acknowledgment of our government in pursuit of its policy of preserving and developing Filipino culture and a national identity."

The President said their works and achievements were reflective of the "preeminent excellence and of the national genius that contributes to the artistic heritage of the Philippines and the world."

The category of national artist was created under Proclamation No. 1001 dated April 27, 1972 as the Constitution provides for state patronage of arts and letters.

The seven were selected upon the recommendation of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

No date for the awards ceremony has been set.

Ermita said it would be up to Poe’s widow, Susan Roces, whether to accept the award on behalf of her husband.

"It depends on the good Ms. Susan Roces to respond and acknowledge once she receives the copy and the invitation for the awarding ceremony," Ermita said.

Roces and Poe’s supporters accused Mrs. Arroyo of cheating in the last 2004 elections. Roces has also become a staunch critic of Mrs. Arroyo, especially since her husband’s death.

"Before we could understand that she had ill feelings but from what I see and hear, Ms. Susan Roces is a very decent person and I am very sure that she will be in a good position to make a good decision on the propriety of her accepting the award on behalf of Mr. Fernando Poe Jr.," Ermita said.

"As a wife, I am very sure she will make a very good decision by herself as to how and the manner by which she will receive it. It’s all up to her," he added.

But Ermita said they would prefer that immediate members of Poe’s family and his supporters be present during the awarding.