Supporters gather 1M signatures to declare Nora Aunor ‘People's National Artist’

Supporters will hold a public conferment to name Nora Aunor the “People's National Artist” once they get one million signatures for the initiative.

In a press conference on Thursday, Zandro Rapadas, convenor of the Nora Aunor for National Artist Movement, said they will schedule the event “before or after” Malacañang bestows the award on the new National Artists, possibly in late August.

While they might hold the event on the same date, he added that they will not do it during the official conferment at the Malacañang.

“Ayaw nating sabayan 'yung magaganap sa Malacañang bilang respeto din natin doon sa National Artist institution, 'yung Order of National Artist, because later on, si Ate Guy mapapabilang din doon,” he said.

“At least ating irespeto 'yung magiging pormal na pagkilala sa mga bagong National Artists.”

Rapadas said the signature campaign, first launched online, will be taken “on the ground,” where they expect to get a big chunk of the signatories.

“Inaasahan nating 'yung one million signatures natin, makukuha natin on the ground, kasi hindi naman natin maaasahan na karamihan ng mga Noranian o sumusuporta ay online,” he said.

As of Friday afternoon, the petition on Change.org has 2,021 supporters.

As they work on gathering signatures, Aunor's supporters from different sectors are also organizing a number of events – like screenings of the actress' films – to keep the issue “alive because there is a deliberate attempt” to set it aside, Rapadas added.

Malacañang earlier said that the signature campaign would not make Aunor a National Artist, advising the movement's supporters to study the law.

Aquino's explanation, a victory

During Thursday's gathering at the UP Vargas Museum, the second forum organized to discuss Aunor's merits to be National Artist, the speakers reiterated that it was a mistake for President Benigno Aquino III to pluck her out of the list.

UP professor and Vargas Museum curator Patrick Flores called Aquino's decision “to dishonor” Aunor's nomination “deeply flawed” and “weakly informed at best,” thus leading “into a waste of process.”

In a statement, the film desk of the Young Critics Circle (YCC) said they are “outraged” by Aquino's decision, adding that his reason “can only have a chilling effect upon anyone who has ever struggled with drug abuse.”

“We believe that issues pertaining to morality are contentious at best and must not be applied to the recognition of a National Artist. What matters most is the artist's superior development of her craft, which should be recognized by her peers primarily, and by the Filipino people ultimately. Such consideration has been met by the disqualified nominee,” said the statement, read at the event by UP faculty member Lisa Ito, a member of the YCC.

For his part, however, National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera said the fact that Aquino had to explain his decision can be considered a step forward for the movement.

“He doesn't have to explain... pero nagpaliwanag ang Pangulo. Bakit? Kasi nakita niya na napakalakas ng suporta ng mamamayan para kay Nora Aunor, at bilang isang politiko, kailangan niyang magsalita. At ang kaniyang pahayag ay isang tagumpay sa pagkilos upang maideklara si Nora Aunor bilang National Artist,” he said.

Lumbera, who was named National Artist in 2006, was part of the rigorous selection process that ultimately produced the list of newly-proclaimed awardees and Aunor, the only one excluded by Aquino.

He is also part of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, which he said gave Aunor her first Best Actress award in a “serious” film in 1977 for Tatlong "Taong Walang Diyos".

“Kung matatandaan natin, napakaraming pelikulang nagawa si Nora Aunor na tinawag na bakya... Pero hindi nagkasya si Nora Aunor na maging bituin lang ng mga pelikulang mumurahin. Lumabas siya at wala siyang takot na sumali sa mga pelikula [kung saan nahasa ang] kakahayan na hindi hinihingi sa mga pelikulang kaniyang nakasanayan,” he said, also citing the fact that Aunor had been directed by Gerardo de Leon, Lino Brocka, and Ishmael Bernal, who were all posthumously named National Artist for Film in 1982, 1997, and 2001, respectively.

'Her time will come'

While maintaining such opinions about Aquino's decision, some of the speakers do not expect Aquino to change his mind, saying the people should initiate naming Aunor their national artist.

“Hindi tayo titigil hanggang maitama ang nagawang mali, pero hindi tayo umaasa na magbabago ang Pangulo sa kaniyang pasya,” Rapadas said. “Mamamayan na ang tinatawagan namin para kilalanin si Nora Aunor bilang pambansang artista.”

“Her time will come” with a President who understands culture and the arts, said lawyer Lorna Kapunan, who came in behalf of The Oustanding Women in Nation's Service (TOWNS) Foundation, Inc.

Aunor was cited by the organization for the field of Performing Arts in 1983.

The people should “now declare her the people's National Artist” because it is an “award that she deserves from you directly,” she added.

'Nora will bridge the gap'

Others, meanwhile, said the issue is a personal one.

For beauty queens-turned-actresses Evangeline Pascual and Maria Isabel Lopez, supporting Aunor is a matter close to heart because the “Superstar” stood by them when they emerged from the respective pageants they participated in.

Citing the likes of "Minsa'y Isang Gamu-gamo", Kabataang Artista para sa Tunay na Kalayaan (Karatula) spokesperson Michael Beltran said Aunor's films still speak to this generation and the issues that persist to this day.

“Ang mga mensahe po ng mga pelikula ni Nora Aunor [ay] nagmumulat, ipinapakita po niya 'yung totoong kalagayan ng ating bayan. Ipinapakita niya 'yung tatag ng bawa't Pilipino," said Beltran.

But perhaps it has become most personal for Aunor's kababayans at the Bicol region, said Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe, who disagrees with Aquino's decision despite being part of the House majority.

Aunor, he said, mirrors the common Bicolano and stands as a “symbol of opportunity.”

Naming her National Artist would have also brought the concept of the presidential award closer to the people because the public identifies best with her and her art, he added.

“Siya ang maglalapit ng konsepto ng National Artist sa masa,” he said. “More than her talent, she will be the one to bridge the gap.” — JDS, GMA News