Prime movers in the art and culture community will hold a symbolic necrological service on Friday for what they called the debasement of the National Artists Awards.

In a press conference at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) yesterday, National Artists F. Sionil Jose, Salvador Bernal, and Bienvenido Lumbera deplored Malacanang’s disregard of the established process whereby National Artists are chosen even as they admitted that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has the prerogative to name her choices for the National Artists Awards.

Malacanang announced on July 29 through Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita the proclamation of seven new National Artists, namely: Carlo Caparas, Pitoy Moreno, Cecille Guidote-Alvarez, Francisco Mañosa, Lazaro Francisco for Literature, Manuel Conde for Film, and Federico Aguilar Alcuaz for Visual Arts.

The original list had Francisco, Conde, Alcuaz, and Ramon Santos who was dropped from the list.

“Throughout the history of the National Artists Awards, the Presidents of the Philippines have exercised the privilege of adding their choices to the final list of the National Artists Awardees. And they have done so. But never was there an instance when the name of a person deemed truly deserving and who went through the rigorous process of selection was struck off the list,” said Emilia Cabrera, CCP Board of Trustees chairperson.

Since its inception on April 27, 1972, under Proclamation No. 1001 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos, the Order of National Artists recognizes Filipino artists who have made significant contributions to the cultural heritage of the country and honor their artistic accomplishment at its highest level which promote creative expression and significant to the development of a national cultural identity.

“The selection of our National Artists is a serious matter. The process is a rigorous one, carried out over two years. The integrity and impartiality of the process is something we respect and have always sought to protect,” said Cabrera.

The CCP Board of Trustees, in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), administers the highest and most prestigious art award in the country. A special research group of 10 to 20 members sift through the information submitted on nominees. Then, they verify, research, and validate.

A council of experts is created during the nomination period to screen the nominees and make recommendations to the NCCA and CCP boards. In the third and final stage, the two boards, along with the National Artists themselves, deliberate and vote from the final list of recommended nominees. The final list is then sent to the President for confirmation.

This year, there were 87 nominees. This was cut down to 32 in the first deliberation. Thirteen made it to the second deliberation. On May 6, 2009, NCCA and CCP boards submitted the final list for confirmation, proclamation, and conferral which included only four - Francisco, Conde, Alcuaz, and Santos.

“Caparas was nominated but was struck off the list on the first deliberation. Moreno and Mañosa made it to the second deliberation before they were struck off. Alvarez was never nominated in accordance to the rules that NCCA and CCP board members, consultants, officers, and staff are automatically disqualified from being nominated,” said CCP former president Nestor Jardin.