Nora Aunor as National Artist

I hope we all know the story. The acclaimed actress Nora Aunor, just got delisted from the National Artists by President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III on the grounds that she was convicted for using illegal drugs.

The President said that by giving Aunor the award she would be giving a wrong message to the nation which prioritizes its long struggle and zero tolerance policy against illegal drugs.

The facts are against the president. First point here, Aunor was not convicted for drug use in California and charges against her were dismissed in 2007. The President clearly made a mistake; he lacked research and believed the common conception.

Second, if part of the National Artist criteria is to have “good standing” which can be interpreted as “good moral character” then why was actors Dolphy and Fernando Poe Jr. declared National Artist?

Dolphy reportedly had a lot of women and FPJ as well sired children outside marriage.

If that is the case, then is the President also sending a message that it is not okay to use drugs but it is okay to be polygamous? If morality is part of the criteria then it should be consistent.

Third, the President failed to see the big picture here and allowed one single mistake in the life of Nora Aunor to outweigh every achievement she did. Nora Aunor after the alleged conviction revived her career and won another “Best Actress” award at the annual Asian Film Awards.

Then her whole career, her contribution to the Philippine film industry cannot be overlooked again because in her personal life she had some setbacks.

There are still a lot of facts against the President on this issue and I really hope he says sorry and changes his mind.

But to add insult to injury, some sectors are dismissing the issue, commenting that it is not important and there are more important issues to talk about.

Such comments are insensitive. To the art community, the National Artist situation is important. It is the highest recognition given to any Filipino artist. It may not be important to you but you have no right to tell the artist sector or the Filipino people who love art that it is not important.

Don’t be like the President who lets his lack-of-research guides his decisions. Don’t be ignorant. I hope those some sectors that have dismissed this issue also say sorry and changes their mind.

About the Author: N.M. CABANGBANG graduated Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Painting at University of the Philippines Cebu. He is now currently teaching grade 6 – 10 Art at B.R.I.G.H.T. Academy. He also plays the bass and sings for the band – PALTIK.