Even if I dream of becoming hailed as a National Artist, I doubt that anyone would ever nominate me. I do, however, gloat in the fact that two of my mentors have been given the recognition... and the distinction of being proclaimed as such.
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Alice Reyes is credited for establishing Ballet Philippines. She is a tour de force on her own. Currently Artistic Director Emeritus, she has almost single handedly steered the course of Ballet Philippines from its inception up to the present... the only ballet company in the country that has survived for 45 years. And that, my dear readers, is a remarkable feat! Hailed for its dancers' innate musicality, astounding classical and contemporary techinque and ground-breaking choreographic pieces; this company has and continues to reap rave reviews here and abroad.
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Alice Reyes was Artistic Director for 20 years, exposing the dancers to rigid training and exposure abroad as well as inviting foreign choreographers, dance educators and prima ballerinas and premiere danseurs to inspire the younger set to pursue higher goals. She continues to check up on the company's progress when she's not busy tending to her own business empire.
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When Senator BongBong Marcos proposed that Ballet Philippines be declared a national dance company, the proposal fell flat perhaps because a lot of our so-called "nationalists" thought the company was founded by the Marcoses. That is soooo not true! Although the company is one of the resident companies of the CCP, its dancers and staff were some of the staunchest supporters of Mrs. Aquino during the EDSA revolution even daringly donning yellow shirts when tapped for KBL rallies as a sign of defiance. Then when Mrs. Aquino ascended the presidency, she showed her gratitude by allowing Kris Aquino to participate in the Rigodon de Honor sequence of the Filipinized version of the Nutcrakcer. But I digress...
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The other National Artist I wish to acknowledge is Ramon Santos. He has been teaching music at the UP Conservatory for years and his works have been acclaimed as worthy for dance choreographies. It was a great surprise to me that dear friend and former Ballet Philippines soloist Hazel Sabas Gower used his music for her choreographic work Daragang Magayon. In his lectures during my training for the Mabuhay Guides, he brings up this fact (with slides and video to boot). That was extremely satisfying for me... I didn't even know it was his music. I had done the costume designs for Hazel's work without knowing it was Ramon Santos' who did the score. After being dropped from the roster by Mrs. Arroyo last time, due credit comes his way. Finally, he can be counted as an inspiration for those who have unwittingly listened, choreographed or danced to his music along with the other Philippine greats.
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This year's crop of National Artists are beyond question (think Carlo Caparas and Cecile Guidote brouhaha a few years back!). Francisco Coching ( for Visual Arts), Cirilo Bautista (for Literature), Francisco Feliciano (for Music), Jose Ma. Zaragoza (for Architecture, Design and Allied Arts) are the other awardees. The only question left, I guess, is when will Nora Aunor get the esteemed title? Deserving as she is, Ms Aunor has been dropped from the roster (much to the chagrin of Noranians everywhere.) Nonetheless, the controversy is still a hot issue with fans and cineastes rooting for her to be proclaimed a national artist as well... If she isn't given the title now... she can get nominated again. Maybe after 2016?
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