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.