Libre: National Artist

THE conferment of the Order of National Artist in 2018 has warmed the hearts of Cebuanos with the inclusion of Dr. Resil Mojares (Literature) along with Kidlat Tahimik (Film); Ryan Cayabyab (Music); Francisco Manosa (Architecture); Ramon Muzones (Literature); Larry Alcala (Visual Arts); and Amelia Lapeña Bonifacio (Theater). Cayabyab and Alcala are the most recognizable, the former being known in the field of music, both pop and classic, and the latter having made people laugh with his cartoon series, including Mang Ambo, Kalabog en Bosyo and Slice of Life.

Dr. Mojares is not the pangmasa kind of artist, rather he is the scholarly type whose works as a historian, literary writer and critic will serve as important resources for the use of future generations. One can only agree with the statement of Dr. Jose Eleazar Bersales, USC Press manager: “(Mojares deserves this award) because he has a body of published scholarly and literary works written in a uniquely Mojares-que style. If I may say so, (these works) will forever remain unmatched in our lifetime and in many lifetimes to come.”

Whether or not Freddie Aguilar or Nora Aunor should become National Artists is subject to intense debate, this year’s awardees seem to be unanimously accepted. But really it is rather surprising that it is only now that an adopted Cebuano (Mojares was born in Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte) has received such accolade.

It must be because national prominence is much about genius, as it is about establishing one’s name in the nation’s capital. Majority of the 73 National Artists conferred since 1972 were either born or if not worked in Manila. As Cebuanos are feting Mojares, so are Cordillerans with the much-deserved recognition of independent filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik of Baguio City.

Hopefully, the selection of Mojares and Tahimik will open the door for other artists from the provinces to become National Artists. As a Cebuano, I’d like to see in the future the following to be named as National Artists: Fr Rudy Villanueva, Simeon Dumdum Jr. and Kenneth Cobonpue. Fr. Rudy has composed liturgical music that has enriched Catholic masses for decades. Dumdum is the poet laureate of Cebu having published award-winning collections of English poems, as well as, prose. Cobonpue is a world-renowned industrial designer who started with unique designs in furniture using natural materials through innovative handmade production processes, and he has branched out to other fields.

For the moment, let us relish the joy of having in our midst our very own National Artist in Dr. Resil Mojares, who now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with such luminaries as Amado V. Hernández, Jose Garcia Villa, Nick Joaquín, Carlos P. Rómulo, Francisco Arcellana and N. V. M. González.

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