Donna Villa, film producer and wife of Komiks King Carlo J. Caparas, lashed out at her husband’s detractors in a press conference held at the National Commission on Culture and The Arts in Intramuros Aug. 7.

“Parang nakakalungkot na medyo mahina na nga ang pelikula at komiks, ay ipagluluksa pa ang ganitong kagandang pangyayari. ‘Pag meron namang magandang pangyayari sa buhay nila, tayo naman ay nagsasaya,” she began.

Carlo, his detractors say, is not qualified for the award because he is not an illustrator. Well?

“Nuong una nga ay nagdo-drawing siya sa komiks pero ngayon [na] mas malaki ang kita sa pagsusulat [ay] nagsulat na siya.

“Ang mga portraits [na gawa] ni Carlo, ang ganda. Meron nga akong portrait [na gawa niya na] ang ganda-ganda.”

Donna said that his detractors are “getting technical” on the matter. She urged them to unite instead.

“We’re better off banding together to help the industry kasi ang dami nating kalaban, such as foreign films and piracy. Dapat magtulung-tulong tayo.

“Sabi ko nga, nuong sila ang nanalo – kahit na nga hindi ko naman sila kilala – ay hindi naman tayo nag-ra-rally.”

On non-Carlo believers who have staged protests, Donna said: “This is a free country. They can do what they want - wala akong panahong i-pacify sila.”

She mused aloud that these people must be “mostly retired” or “hindi successful sa field nila kaya nakagawa [lang] ng isang pelikula, nakasulat [lang] ng isang script sa isang pelikula [ay] wala na.”

“Ako, producer, [pero] hindi ko sila kukunin.”

She denied having a close relationship with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It is believed that the couple’s (Donna and Carlo) close ties with PGMA is the reason Carlo was chosen as a National Artist.

“We’re not that close to the president but we support her administration. I haven’t seen the president for maybe more than two years na. Busy naman tayo,” Donna said.

She added: “We can survive with or without the president. We can survive with or without a National Artist award. It’s just nice to have them.”

“My God, we’re surviving very well! Hindi na kailangan pa ang mga ganyan.  Parang added ano lang ‘yon…yung laurel…parang icing on the cake.”

Donna laid down a challenge.

“Yung kanila [na napanalunang National Artist award] , isoli din nila. Because I also feel they’re not deserving.

“Kasi naman, national ito in scope - National Artist, kumbaga. E, sila, sectoral lang naman [at] hindi natin kilala lahat. Mas dapat nilang isoli. [At] wala din silang taong natutulungan, ha!

Donna said that she and Carlo hardly talk about the hullabaloo.

“Carlo is an artist through and through. Kung ako, kainin n’yo na 'yang award na 'yan! Pambihira naman sila, ano ba ito? Itong mga nagrereklamo, mga wala namang trabaho, jobless.”