It’s Noranians vs Vilmanians one more time

My National Artist by Ellen Alejano on Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 3:11pm ·
Film
It was 1972. Back then as a 9-year old, I couldn’t care less. I watched
Nora Aunor movies with my Lola and whether Nora was playing cutesy or
serious roles, I enjoyed them regardless. I remember watching And God
Smiled at Me that year. It must be fate. The year that Nora Aunor
embarked on a serious dramatic role and won her first acting award was
the same year that the National Artist award was created.
In the following year, Nora Aunor was not just the singer and the
actress but also the movie producer. Her own NV Productions made three
movies: Carmela, Paru-parong Itim and Super Gee. She was 20 years old.
Her contemporaries did not have the same mindset (and talent). So young
(so ambitious?) but already dead serious as to what she wanted to
become. Very early on, she realized that for her to grow as an artist,
she had to be in control. As well, her audience deserved much better
films. So in between those light “audience-friendly”
movie projects, risky attempts for non-musical, more dramatic,
quality-made films would emerge. Eventually, her audience acknowledged
her refined acting talent. I did too. Nora learned to make better films,
I learned to appreciate them. She is a Filipino, with typical Filipino
looks and she portrays Filipino. When I watch her, I embrace and
understand Filipino. Banaue, Minsa’y Isang Gamu-gamo and Tatlong Taong
Walang Diyos, I watched these films intensely. I was quiet the whole
time, afraid to blink even for a second as not to miss an arresting
acting moment performed through perfect dialog delivery, minimal
gestures, simple body movements, facial expression and those round eyes
that speak a thousand words. Then came Bona and Himala. Even foreign
audience took notice and they were in awe. There was no doubt in the
world what Nora Aunor is capable of. Nora did not
just get better at acting. She showed mastery of the craft. When most
popular actors were used to physical and “loud” acting, Nora did the
opposite. In-depth “silent” acting became her signature style, the type
that only a few artists can pull off with utmost credibility. When Nora
did it, it looked natural and effortless and yet, totally affecting. One
doesn’t see Nora Aunor in her films, you see her character instead and
at times … you see a piece of your own self. Music
Nora was first and foremost a singer. After all, that’s where
everything started. I grew up hearing Nora’s old songs but only later
when I got to really listen to them. Perhaps back then I was not paying
much attention to her early ballads. As a child, the catchy familiar
tunes of Pearly Shells, Kusinera, Darling etc. amused me more. It was
not difficult to sing along with these songs too.
Week after week and almost two decades of viewing the Superstar show got
me hooked to Nora’s singing. In her show, I have listened and watched
Nora interpret varied songs. Kundiman and Pinoy folk (in both Pilipino
and regional dialects), English, pop, Manila sound, jazzy, novelty, her
own movie theme songs, even rock … you name it, she sung it. Of course
singing ballads had to be where she excelled the most. She would sing
them all from the heart. I remember listening to her “Kapantay ay
Langit” version which haunted me for days. I watched her sing “What Now
My Love?” in one of the film award ceremonies and I was floored. It was
an electrically charged performance, hair-raising to say the least.
Never seen and experienced anything like that before.
Nora’s golden unique voice is a given but it didn’t just rest there.
She used her voice to touch people’s hearts. She does not just sing the
song, she performs it. Much like her acting, her singing would bring out
the right emotion that stays with you long after the music has ended.
It is just good natured, pure, beautiful music. She does not even have
to reach a single high note. Years had passed. The
raw and pure voice has matured, huskier but more full bodied. With age
and experience, the song interpretation only gets better. But old songs
still take a grasp, portal of sweet memories, not to let go and always …
will be remembered. The Artist
Pioneering and excellent acting skill, heartfelt and soothing music,
extraordinary talent which is highly regarded by peers and critics,
impressive and unparalleled body of work, local and international awards
and recognitions, but most of all, an artist and artistry that created a
deep-seated impact on the film and music industry, on Philippine
culture and the Philippines, as a whole. With all these sparkling
achievements and qualifications, pardon me if I have to ask: Are these
not enough for someone to be named National Artist? Or could it be that
she has overly exceeded the set criteria? By the way, she was also a
record-breaking concert performer and a standout theatre actor, a
complete multimedia artist. More controversies hound
the National Artist choices this year and Nora Aunor missed out again.
Many have expressed despair and disappointment about the alleged
undeserving winners and mistrust of the deliberation and selection
process. Sadly though, people in the know refused to listen and to
continue with the argument seems a lost cause. In any case, it was
heartwarming to know that when a more deserving winner is mentioned by
the disgruntled (but nonetheless) respectable artists and writers, the
name Nora Aunor would always make the first cut. Not that there is a
need for any more revalidation or proof. No sitting on the fence for me
when it comes to Nora’s talent and artistry. No ifs and buts … just true
excellence! I doubt it that the Office of the
President has watched many films and listened to a variety of music, yet
it has the ultimate power to confer a National Artist for Film and
Music. I am no President. I am just an ordinary citizen and definitely
not an art connoisseur. But I watch good films and listen to beautiful
music and I’d like to say that my own journey of appreciation for film
and music was greatly influenced by one artist. That artist is Nora
Aunor, my National Artist. I will wait patiently for
the official conferment of her National Artist award but if this does
not happen in her lifetime or mine, it barely matters as I have long
considered it DONE anyway. In the truest sense of the title, Nora Aunor is already one National Artist. Nora Aunor (NA) is National Artist (NA). The acronym suits perfectly. N.B. For 42 years, you have given us a legacy of films and music that will not be forgotten. Thank you, Ms. Nora Aunor. (written and posted October 2009) Fast forward to 2012
Nora Aunor stirs a controversial topic yet again, amazingly without her
own effort. Just the mention of her name awakens the brilliant and the
shallow minds. A lawmaker filed a house resolution urging the President,
CCP and NCCA to confer on her the National Artist award. Great! As a
Nora Aunor believer, I was ecstatic to hear the news. Thankful too for
the independent and unbiased recommendation. After all, I never heard
nor read Rep. Anthony Golez rave about Nora Aunor before. For him to
stood ground and acknowledged Nora Aunor’s immense contributions on
Philippine Arts, I wholeheartedly appreciate that.
Then happy news turned sour. It’s politics, what can I say? Another
lawmaker followed suit and urged to name Vilma Santos as National Artist
as well. Vilma Santos’ senator husband also personally endorsed his
wife. Unbelievable! Have we got any more decency left in the Senate?
Celebrity lawmakers who don’t know any better about the magnitude of
this award threw their 2 cents worth to include more artists in the
list. Mr. Dolphy should get the award first, they clamored. By virtue of
seniority? Oh please! Give the man due respect. Enough of the paawa
epek. Dolphy will most certainly not appreciate that. He has valuable
contribution to Philippine entertainment, nominate him for his own merit
and not his age, for bloody goodness’ sake! Why only now express
support for him when there are many opportunities to do that many years
in the past? Is it because he is now older or because better it’s him
or any one else huwag lang si Nora Aunor? Truth to tell, Nora Aunor
already surpassed the qualifications for this award (Care to read the
criteria, you great pretenders?) Nora earned it many years before too
but people who are quick to make judgment as if they themselves are holy
always attack and discredit her accomplishments on personal grounds.
Previous National Artists are no Saints either so why pick on Nora
Aunor? Mind boggling and utterly disgusting! I say Holy crap!
What is happening now is a diversion from the true essence of the award
which is an injustice. The National Artist award is not like a queue
for a government agency service where there maybe preferential treatment
for the elderly, jumping on the queue if you have the right inside
connection or tagging along in the queue with someone who did all the
hard work to be next in line and has the appropriate documentation to
get through the line, fair and square. The National
Artist title is very prestigious. Good enough artists are not good
enough for it. No one should get it by vote of popularity, by seniority
or just because you are a rival of someone who you know is most
deserving than anyone. Only extraordinary and legendary artists deserve
the title. These are the guidelines (in summary).
Enough of politics! Let objectivity rule! May the most deserving
National Artist receive the award. So help us God.. 1) Filipino artists who have made significant contributions to the cultural heritage of the country; Cultural icon. Nora Aunor Rating: *****
2) Filipino artistic accomplishment at its highest level and to promote
creative expression as significant to the development of a national
cultural identity; and Multi-awarded singer and actress, acclaimed films of true Filipino genre. Nora Aunor Rating: *****
3) Filipino artists who have dedicated their lives to their works to
forge new paths and directions for future generations of Filipino
artists. Trend-setter.. risk taker. A world-class artist. Nora Aunor Rating: *****

Nora Aunor’s achievements are what would make her the clear choice for National Artist. Her unparalleled acting trophies both locally & internationally are unmatched. Forget everything personal about her. Be objective, because if you don’t, let’s start by saying Vilma Santos appeared in an X-rated betamax movie where she had sexually explicit cavortings with local actor Romeo Vasquez. Vilma Santos had sexual relations with FPJ (RIP) to which Susan Roces resorted to slapping the Gov. in the face when they met face to face & in public, no less! With all that said, her achievements don’t even come close to Nora’s. Dolphy didn’t break any grounds. Pugo & Tugo & later Bentot were comedians far better than Dolphy. Being frail & old are not measurements of one’s greatness & therefore should not be made reasons for him to get the award. Let’s not forget all the children fathered by Dolphy without the benefit of marriage. So stop hurling insults & accusations of a personal nature against Nora Aunor because at the end of the day, it is her achievements in acting, recording & stage that will shine through and her remarkable contribution to the entertainment industry is the main criteria for one to be a National Artist. Let’s give credit where credit is due. Nora Aunor is the National Aritist in the truest sense of the word—a bonafide & phenomenal Artist. And she would have received this already years ago but politics had always derailed her from being proclaimed. Let talent & achievements prevail!

I agree with  Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes of CBCP,
101 percent. I think, majority of intellectuals and the artistic community know
who should be named the National Artist, and that is the superstar herself, Ms.
Nora Aunor. Vilma Santos is not deserving of the title simply because she does
not pass the criteria. The award is long over-due for Ms. Aunor and Vilma knows
this. Likewise, I commend Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez of CBCP for saying
that it is not his line. Let’s leave this to CCP and NCCA to think, deliberate
and decide. Please concentrate and stick on the rules and criteria, we are
talking here of the artistry and its impact to Philippine arts and culture. We
are not talking here of personal life. Politicians should leave this to people
who are authority to arts and culture. Politicians, especially those who are in
Congress and Senate are to legislate and enact laws that is beneficial to
Filipino people, not to meddle to things like this. Artistry should not be
mixed with politics, which everybody knows is very dirty. The National Artist
Award should be given now to Ms. NORA AUNOR, who is the FACE AND SYMBOL OF
PHILIPPINE SHOWBIZ IN PARTICULAR AND OF PHILIPPINE ENTERTAINMENT IN GENERAL.