On being a national artist...
By bingskee
@bingskee (5234)
Philippines
July 13, 2012 3:09am CST
I am not aware of the criteria for a national artist award in the Philippines. I have to admit that the recently deceased comedian, 'Dolphy', is a likely candidate.
I discovered that Filipinos have different views on why an artist should be awarded this prestigious award. This morning, a grumpy old man was infuriated by the knowledge, in between our conversation, that Dolphy is being considered by his co-artists as a deserving awardee. He believes he isn't because he is a womanizer.
Of course I was astonished by what he said. I cannot find the relationship between the award and the awardee's morality. If that is one of the criteria, which I am not sure if it is, that would be a big question. As the title of the award says it is for artists and an artist should be recognized because of his or her contribution to art. His moral standards is altogether a different matter.
Some moralists also mentioned that one of the reasons why he was not considered was because of his gay roles. This is absurd because a versatile actor or actress can perform any role, including that of gays, and Dolphy has that quality. Versality is a benchmark for excellence, don't they know that?
Anyway,I have not been to mylot for some time. I miss the discussions and the participation. Hello to everybody!!! 
1 person likes this
5 responses
@jazel_juan (15747)
• Philippines
13 Jul 12
Filipinos!! For some reason i do not why they would not award it to him?
the gay roles..versatility you are right! plus for christ's sake he is an entertainer, an actor and being able to do the gay role quite well means he was one good damn actor there fore he deserves the award...
as for the womanizer thing, that is his personal life, him being an artist does not have anything to do with that... for one Rizal was also linked to a lot of women too right? so how come he is our national hero?
It should be given to him as far as i believe, there are just some people who can be quite jealous and would not allow people to be given such awards.
1 person likes this
@jkct02 (2874)
• Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
13 Jul 12
Yes, I agree with you that one is one, and two is two. Don't mix them up. An artist award of course is about the art and nothing else. If they want to add in extras like morality, honesty, handsomeness, righhandedness, nearsightedness, etc, they are just looking for someone who fits their description but art is not their only concern. In that case, they should have called the award "a man who fits the following description .................. and knows a bit art".
@aabuda (1722)
• Philippines
13 Jul 12
I agree with your point. I think morality and the roles that Dolphy portray on his films and on his real life is by no means not a criteria for him not to qualify to be a National Artist. The issue here is to become a National Artist, and not for sainthood.
@bingskee (5234)
• Philippines
16 Jul 12
exactly, aabuda. without disrespect in anyway, they put somebody as National Artist who does not even deserve the title. there are many in the queue who deserves it better. plus i was told by a friend that the guy was given the award to cover up a scandal by the previous president that involves him also. if that's true, shame on the board who gave him this award!
@miadsoriano (884)
• Philippines
22 Jul 12
What?! Someone really said that? I too do not see the connection between someone's morality/personal life and his/her being awarded National Artist. It is not as if Dolphy is being canonized, beatified, being appointed a high-ranking position in public office?! Sigh! Some people... 
@sbucu57 (55)
• Philippines
18 Jul 12
I am not also aware of the criteria in choosing a National Artist in our country. But I think Dolphy deserves to be one of them.
He is one of those gifted artists who was very good with his craft . The fact that he was a womanizer had nothing to do with his love and how excellent he was with the arts. That all happened in the past. What right do we have to drag a person's past on how he chose to live his life after that ?
I also believe that the true measure of an artist is not based on what roles he had portrayed. Omeng Satanasia was one of my favorites where he sold his soul to the devil. Does that mean he was a Dark Believer? Art goes beyond portrayals and roles. It is more profound than that, touching hearts from all ages , leaving its mark even after the artist had gone to the next life.
