Palace: Guy will have her time
Malacañang said that renowned actress Nora Aunor will someday be recognized as a national artist in the Philippines, saying her exclusion in this year’s awardees is still a blessing to her.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the statement after the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) confirmed that Aunor was delisted by Malacañang from the nominees for the National Artist award this year.
In his Thursday press briefing, Panelo said that Aunor may not have been given the recognition but her craft is greater than any award that can be bestowed upon her.
“The artistical and musical legend that is Nora Aunor may not have passed the critical eyes of a select juror and the awarding authority to be bestowed the National Artist award but her enrapturing film artistry and musicality and mass acceptance surpass any technical recognition given by any entity or authority,” he said.
“Her phenomenal rise to movie and musical stardom that counted a generation of shrieking and adoring fans unparalleled in the movie and music industry is a walking testament to her mesmerizing artistry and singing voice and the people’s acceptance. She truly is the crowned people’s artist,” he added.
According to the Palace official, Aunor is still young and that she will surely get the award in the future.
“Ms. Nora Aunor is still young and in God’s perfect time we are optimistic that she will be proclaimed as a National Artist,”Panelo said.
“Her non-inclusion does not diminish her iconic stature as the country’s Superstar and her significant contributions to film, theater, television and music industries,” he added.
Panelo said that Aunor’s exclusion can be interpreted as the actress being spared from criticism which may stem from the illegal drugs issues that hounded her in the past.
“Her non-inclusion is to spare Ms. Nora Aunor from the emotional and psychological torment coming from the barrage of mixed reactions the award will bring,” he said.
In a statement, Aunor said that she will choose to not get the award if it would mean that she will not be criticized by people.
“Ano ba naman ang isang award kung ang kapalit neto ay paulit-ulit na paghamak sa pagkatao ko at sa mga taong naniniwala sa akin (What will I do with an award if it would usher in the endless criticism on my person and on the people who believe in me)?”Aunor said.
“Sapat na po sa akin ang respeto natatanggap ko sa mga kasamahan ko sa trabaho (The respect I am getting from my colleagues is enough for me),” she added.
Following the awarding of national artists in Malacañang Wednesday evening, NCCA chair VirgilioAlmario said they have no idea why Malacañang excluded Aunor from the list of eight nominees up for the award.
“Ngayon lahat ng nominated naman nakapasa except kay Nora (All those who were nominated passed except for Aunor),” he said.
“Wala kaming inkling whatsoever, sa nakaraang ruling ng Supreme Court the President can make bawas, not dagdag (We have no inkling, whatsoever, but a Supreme Court ruling said that the President can remove a name, but not add one),” he added.
This was the second time the Aunor was deprived of the recognition, the first was during the previous Aquino administration. The NCCA said that even if her name was dropped, Aunor would still be automatically included in the next list of nominees.