Image: Instagram/@robinhoodpadilla, Nora Aunor Photo by Marinel Cruz
Action star Robin Padilla once again expressed his sadness over veteran actress Nora Aunor’s exclusion from this year’s list of National Artists.
Malacañang named the seven new artists to be added in the roster of the country’s National Artists — Larry Alcala (visual arts), Amelia Lapeña Bonifacio (theater), Ryan Cayabyab (music), Francisco Mañosa (architecture), Resil Mojares (literature), Ramon Muzones (literature) and Kidlat Tahimik (cinema) on Wednesday, Oct. 24.
A netizen, Bernie Placido (@bernieplacido), made use of the comments section of Padilla’s Instagram post on Friday, Oct. 26, to ask the action star what his thoughts were regarding the announcement.
“Since po nung panahon ni PNoy [former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III] ay sumalungat kayo sa paglaglag kay Bb. Nora Aunor sa mga hihiranging National Artists,” commented the netizen. “Ano po ang masasabi nyo ngayon na nilaglag uli ng pamunuang Duterte si Nora sa mga pinarangalang National Artists kamakailan?”
(Since the time of PNoy, you disagreed with the exclusion of Nora Aunor in the list of National Artists. What can you say about the fact that she is once again snubbed by the Duterte administration in the latest announcement?)
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@robinhoodpadilla
“Marami po ang nagtatanong kung bakit tahimik po kayo ngayon tungkol sa nasabing isyu,” added the netizen, probably alluding that Padilla’s silence may be due to him being a staunch supporter of the Duterte administration. “Sana po ay mapansin nyo po ang tanong ko. Salamat po.”
(Many are asking why you are silent on the said issue. I hope you notice my question. Thank you.)
Padilla gave a brief answer to the commenter, “Malungkot na balita ito (This is sad news).”
The action star aired his frustration via social media on 2014 over Aunor’s exclusion from the then batch of National Artists. President Aquino stated then that he dropped Aunor from the 2014 list due to her 2005 arrest for alleged possession of drug paraphernalia in Los Angeles, California.
“This government is elitist,” Padilla stated then. “Show business and Philippine cinema are our culture. It’s not, and never will be, for politicians.”
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