Bienvenido Lumbera hailed as People’s Teacher and Artist

Published April 16, 2012 4:44pm

Some artists may believe in the saying “art for art’s sake,” but for National Artist Ka Bien, the cliché can be proven wrong.

For those who have for so long known Ka Bien and his works, he is more than a poet, a dramatist, and a writer of short stories for children. He is an artist with a purpose who works for a cause.

Ka Bien, fully known as Bienvenido Lumbera, who turned 80 last April 11, received one of the best gifts he had when hundreds of students and fellow artists honored him yesterday as the “People’s Teacher and Artist” at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, celebrating the many years of his dedication to his work.

He is the first Filipino artist crowned with laurel leaves cast in metal which represent his contributions to Filipino culture, literature, and society. The laurel leaves headdress fits him exactly like a crown.

For his fellow artists, his works do not only reflect his creativity and passion, but the cries of the society as well.

Lumbera, who heads the Concerned Artists of the Philippines, was one of the many who stood against the closure of the Kulô art exhibit at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) last August 2011.

He was also one of the many national artists who expressed fury over former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s selection of nominees for the National Artist awards. He personally opposed the selection of National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) executive director Cecile Guidote-Alvarez. Lumbera was part of the NCCA panel.

Lumbera has also been present in several actions against Arroyo by being one of those who filed an impeachment complaint against the former President. He was also active in opposition activities shouting against charter change in 2008.

The celebration “Muy Bien! Guro at Artista ng Bayan” welcomed Lumbera as he climbed the steps of Palma Hall with a musical presentation by Kontra-Gapi.

Bayan Muna representative Satur Ocampo recited a poem for Lumbera. The celebration also featured bands, and the operatic singing of Dulaang UP.

A documentary on the life of Lumbera was presented before he was awarded with the laurel leaves.

“Hindi lamang ang aking mga akda, kundi ang mga akda ng ibang progresibong manunulat ay makatutulong sa pagpapalaya ng bayan,” he said.

Lumbera was born in Lipa in 1932 and grew up as an orphan from the age of five. He was proclaimed National Artist in 2006, and is also the recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism and the Carlos Palanca Memorial Award.

Some of his works include "Noli Me Tangere, The Musical" (1994), "Ka Bel", and "Abot-Tanaw: Sulyap at Suri sa Nagbabagong Kultura at Lipunan" (1987). –Jon Lindley Agustin/KG, GMA News

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