Palace: Conferment of National Artist Award on Dolphy needs to go through process

By KIMBERLY JANE TAN, GMA News

Published July 11, 2012 11:09am

(Updated 2:24 p.m.) - Despite the clamor to declare the late King of Comedy Dolphy (or Rodolfo Vera Quizon Sr. in real life) as National Artist, Malacañang on Wednesday said that this will still have to go through the proper process.

"Hindi maipagkakaila na talagang malawak ang impluwensiya ni Mang Dolphy ‘di lamang sa pinilakang tabing pati na rin sa buhay ng maraming Pilipino. May proseso pong sinusundan ang paggawad ng National Artist Award at tiyak naman pong maririnig ng mga kawani ng NCCA at CCP ang mga panawagang ito," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a text message sent to reporters on Wednesday.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), together with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), organizes and implements the award.

The selection of nominees is administered by the Special Research Group, which validates the works of the nominees, and the National Artist Award Council of Peers, which screens the nominees and recommends them to the NCCA and CCP boards.

The President signs the order for the conferment of the award.

Valte made the statement after Dolphy passed away on Tuesday night.

The Palace official, however, said that they have yet to receive information on calls for the declaration of a National Day of Mourning for Dolphy's death.

"We have no information on this as it will have to be discussed with the President," she said.

Valte likewise said that there are no plans yet for President Benigno Aquino III to visit Dolphy's wake. 'Sorrowful moment for a nation'

But in a statement released late Tuesday, Aquino said he joins the Quizon family in mourning Dolphy's passing.

"The passing of Rodolfo Quizon Sr.—our King of Comedy—is a truly sorrowful moment for a nation that, for so long, found happiness in his work," he said.

He likewise described Dolphy as "a good man who embodied the common Filipino: he loved deeply, knew the value of humor, respected his fellowmen, and was always ready to face any challenge life threw at him."

"He came from a generation that went through a lot of trials—and the struggle taught him to be humble, honest, and helpful. He never turned his back on his peers; he never turned his back on the people who had propelled him toward success," he said.

"He did not only revolutionize the entertainment industry; he also changed our national consciousness for the better: through his art, he extended our worldviews, and gave us the ability to reflect on, value, and find joy in the daily realities of Filipino life," he added.

In 2010, President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III awarded Dolphy the Grand Collar of the Order of the Golden Heart – the highest civilian award that a President can give – for his contributions to the entertainment industry and for his humanitarian efforts.

The award

The National Artist Award (Gawad Pambansang Alagad ng Sining) is considered “the highest national recognition given to Filipino individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts.”

The award is given both to living artists and to those who died after the establishment of the award in 1972 who excelled in the following fields: Music, Dance, Theater, Visual Arts, Literature, Film, Broadcast Arts, and Architecture and Allied Arts.

Recipients of the award are entitled to a cash prize of up to P100,000, monthly life pension, medical benefits, life insurance coverage, and a state funeral. –KG, GMA News

Tags: dolphy, nationalartist