Mixed reactions to Carlo J as National Artist

Mixed reactions to Carlo J as National Artist
By JOCELYN VALLE
August 11, 2009, 2:08pm

Pro and con views on the conferment of Carlo J. Caparas as National Artist for Visual Arts and Film continue to pour in.

On Channel 7’s “Startalk” last Aug. 8, Senators Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada as well as boxing champ Manny Pacquiao-- star of Caparas’ latest directorial project, “Sa Ngalan ng Busabos”—congratulated Caparas whom they said fully deserved the award.

Their views, however, were a stark contrast to that of the Concerned Artists of the Philippines which staged a rally on Aug. 7 at the CCP, protesting the selection of Caparas and Cecille Guidote-Alvarez (for Theater) for allegedly “tainting” what is widely considered the highest citation for a Filipino artist.

In the rally, APO Hiking Society’s Jim Paredes rebutted Caparas’ claim that his critics are elitists who look down on a rags-to-riches success like him [Caparas].

Director Joel Lamangan also clarified that they are not questioning Caparas’ achievements but rather that of the traditional selection process being “bypassed”.

Lamangan pointed out that Caparas’ name was not even in the shortlist of three nominees that was submitted by the committee for consideration.

Caparas also has foes—and allies—in the komiks industry.
Writer and illustrator Randy Valiente told Manila Bulletin Online in an interview that he believes there are other people more deserving of the award that Caparas won.

One of these, he said, is Francisco Coching who is “the [acknowledged] dean of Philippine comics.”

Valiente – an officer of Kongreso ng Komiks that Caparas heads - pointed out that he is an admirer of Caparas’ contributions to and achievements in the komiks industry.

“[Pero] mali lang category kung saan s’ya nanalo,” said Valiente who wrote more of his sentiments on the matter on his blog
Valiente also lamented Caparas’ apparent abandonment of Kongreso ng Komiks.

“We have no project except for the komiks caravan that brought us to the Visayas. Nothing happened after that,” he said with a hint of disappointment.

Valiente’s colleague Arman Francisco, on the other hand, believes that Caparas won in the correct category because it is the writer who “directs” the illustrator on what to draw.

“A writer makes an illustration guide for the illustrator to follow. This illustration guide is not only for the story but also the visuals,” he explained.

Caparas, who has been a player in the komiks industry since age 18, created Filipino komiks classics “Panday,” “Bakekang” and “Totoy Bato,” among others.

He eventually shifted to screenwriting and directing, which is what he had been doing for the last 23 years.

Celebrity World

Carlo J. Caparas named National Artist for Visual Arts

By CRISPINA MARTINEZ-BELEN

August 1, 2009, 3:12pm

It was at the airport that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who was on her way to the United States to meet with US President Barrack Obama, announced that “Komiks King” Carlo J. Caparas has been named National Artist for Visual Arts.

When asked about his feelings for this new feat he has achieved, Carlo said, “Siyempre nakaka-overwhelm. Imagine someone like me na galing sa masa, na nagsusulat lang ng komiks before in my youth ay mabibigyan ng ganitong karangalan.”

When he was told of his award, Carlo said he remembered the late Fernando Poe, Jr. “Kasi when I was still a struggling filmmaker, I had the chance to talk to him and I said, “Erap, nakuha mo lahat ng awards at titulo. Movie King ka at marami ka ng iba’t-ibang awards na natanggap. What’s next? Ano pa ba ang gusto mong ma-achieve? An international award?

“Ang sagot niya sa akin: ‘Erap, ang gusto ko maging National Artist!’ Which he got naman, but posthumously, ibinigay sa kanya after his death. Yon ang malungkot…”

Carlo started writing for komiks when he was only 18. He was also a komiks illustrator and he related that as a young boy, for lack of the necessary writing materials, he used their backyard to illustrate his ideas. “Ang bakuran namin ang malaking illustration board ko,” Carlo recalled.

Carlo went on to become a most prolific and successful komiks writer during his time and was eventually dubbed “Komiks King,” a title that he took with great pride especially now that komiks has been defined as the “International Theater of the World.”

From komiks writing, Carlo tried his hand at movie scriptwriting and directing and proved himself equally successful. For 23 years, he directed various genres of movies, most of which turned out to be box-office hits. He also made the stars of his movies, among them Kris Aquino, phenomenal box-office star.

And now his komiks creations are being adapted for television, the most recent of which were “Totoy Bato,” which starred Robin Padilla and Regine Velasquez, and “Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang,” starring Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera. Both were topraters on GMA 7. There were also Caparas’ creative works (like “Panday” and “Pieta”) that were televised on ABS-CBN and there are still many which will be used for future teleseryes in the two giant networks.

“Actually, there are about 30 of my novels na nakakahon na,” he revealed.

Through his creations that were used as teleseryes, Carlo noted that more actors were given jobs. “Ito kasing telebisyon ang pinaka-active na medium ngayon.”

Going back to his award as National Artist for Visual Arts, Carlo said, “makakatulong ito ng malaki sa industriya na isang active member ay nabigyan ng ganitong recognition.” Komiks writing is alive again and all because of Carlo’s tireless efforts to revive it nationwide with the support of the National Commission of Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

But is his being a National Artist his ultimate achievement? Carlo laughed as he said, “I’m very proud of this but pangalawa ito. My first ultimate achievement was my wife, nang mapaibig ko si Donna Villa!” The couple went on to become a most formidable and indefatigable tandem in producing films and TV projects.

Seriously speaking, the award was sort of anticipated as Carlo has already been the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Merit which was given him in 2007. “Ang nakakatawa nito, lahat ng mga kasama kong nabigyan ng Presidential Medals of Merit ay patay na.” They were Francisco Coching, Tony Velasquez, Larry Alcala, among others.

As National Artist for Visual Arts Carlo will be recognized in all important occasions in Malacañang like state visits.

Carlo’s current movie project

Carlo is currently filming a trilogy that is why he and Donna are almost always in the province (in Cebu especially where Donna hails). One episode, “Sa Ngalan ng Busabos,” stars Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao and Jake Cuenca. Initially, Manny’s leading lady was supposed to be Nicole of the Pussycat Dolls but the latter reportedly begged off because of her busy schedule.

The other two episodes are entitled “Hawak Kita, Hawak Mo Ako,” and “Hiwaga ni Lolo Hugo.”

National Artists choices questioned

Written by Fidelis Tan

Thursday, 30 July 2009

This year's list of new National Artists prompted controversy with the naming of Jose “Carlo” J. Caparas for visual arts and films and Cecilia Guidote-Alvarez for theater arts. Of the seven new national artists, three were chosen through the regular process of nomination and deliberation by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines. These were Manuel Conde for cinema, Federico Aguilar Alcuaz for visual arts, and Lazaro Franciso for literature. The other four, including Caparas and Alvarez, were added to the list by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, whose power it is to confer the title of National Artist. Also chosen by Malacanang were Francisco “Bobby” Mañoza for architecture and Jose “Pitoy” Moreno for fashion design. “I hate it when the President meddles with the system of selecting National Artists,” said National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario who was part of the deliberation committee. “While she has the power to intervene, the system of selection works and she does not have any reason to use her presidential privilege.” The choice of Alvarez for National Artist raised eyebrows as she is also executive director of the NCAA and presidential adviser on culture. Newsbreak called the selection “shameless” and a situation of “delicadeza” or a conflict of interest although Alvarez herself was not present during deliberations. “I hate even more when people take advantage of this presidential privilege by submitting their names directly to the President,” said Virgilio. Caparas, on the other hand, was attacked as unworthy of the title National Artist. Comic book writer and artist Gerry Alanguilan leads the protest, saying on his blog that Caparas could not be cited for visual arts as he never did the illustrations for his comics himself. Being deemed a National Artist for Film was also “ridiculous” as his movies “lack any intellectual substance.” “Other artists are vastly more qualified,” he said. “I cannot sit here and do nothing and say nothing as this insult is perpetrated.”