2018 National Artists tribute at the CCP

Guadalupe Alcala, Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio, Ryan Cayabyab, Denise Mañosa,
Resil Mojares, Rex Muzones, and Kidlat Tahimik.

Months after the newest batch of National Artists were announced and immediately conferred by the President back in October, the much awaited tribute to them finally happened at the Cultural Center of the Philippines last May.

The National Artists given tribute were Larry Alcala (Visual Arts), Amelia Lapeña Bonifacio (Theater), Ryan Cayabyab (Music), Francisco Mañosa (Architecture), Resil Mojares (Literature) Ramon L. Muzones (Literature), and Kidlat Tahimik (Cinema).

All of the surviving National Artists were present while Alcala was represented by his wife Guadalupe, Mañosa, who passed away in February this year, was represented by wife Denise, while Muzones was represented by his son Rex.

Ryan Cayabyab, National Artist for Music

The tribute featured video testimonials from family members, friends, colleagues, and peers and also performances by various artists and groups.

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Herminigildo Ranera with dancers choreographed by Carlon Motabato depicted the Pinoy slice of life with the music of Tsismis as tribute to Alcala. Bart Guingona did a reading from A House Full of Books in tribute for Mojares. Lapeña-Bonifacio's Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas performed Sita & Rama: Paper Ramayana showcasing her contribution and legacy to puppetry and children's theater. The Company and The Opera's a cappella rendition of A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square capped the first half although I am not sure how this song related to Mañosa.

A nod to Tahimik's Cordillera connection was showcased through the Cordillera Suite by the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group. The Hiligaynon language rang through the theater as Audie Gemora, Bong Cabrera, and Sheila Valderrama-Martinez did a stage reading of a scene from Muzones' Margosatubig. Lastly, Toma Cayabyab led the PPO and the Ateneo Chamber Singers with the Rizal Suite as a tribute to his father Ryan Cayabyab. The evening also featured song numbers by David Ezra and Esang de Torres.

The tribute showed glimpses of the National Artists' other sides as family members, friends, and peers and gave the audience just a peek of their works. It remains to be seen how various institutions will give tribute to this latest batch. As far as I know, the Performatura Festival shone the spotlight to Mojares a few months ago. The Manila Symphony Orchestra will dedicate their 2019-2020 season opener to Ryan Cayabyab. And the 24th French Film Festival will screen a film by Kidlat Tahimik. Like what I've said before, it is great that these artists are recognized and be considered as National Artists but all this remains irrelevant if their works remain unknown by the public at large.