Submitted by Vox Bikol on
NAGA CITY --- National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario says he sees bright future for the Bikolano artists, given their esteemed recognition, which should not go the way of their counterpart in the national search for artists that regretfully has been haunted by selection controversy marred by selfish agenda and political patronage and pressure.
"Nabibili na an national artist ngayon," he kidded aside but continued talking about the universal quest for truth and the value of honesty in all human endeavors, especially in the fields of arts, politics and culture.
Almario, also known as Rio Alma, is a poet, literary historian and critic who has revived and reinvented traditional Filipino poetic forms, even as he championed modernist poetics. He was the guest speaker during the well-attended "Banggi nin Pagrokyaw" or the conferment of honor and title to the 11 Bikolano Artists of the Year, dubbed as Bikolinismo 2009, held Tuesday night, Sept. 29, at Avenue Plaza Hotel here.
Conferred the highest Bikolano Artist Award who were all present during the rites were: Pancho M. Piano, Wilson B. Belarmino, Jose A. Barcena, Jr., and Ricardo Perez for Visual Arts; William M. Espejo for Theater Arts; Zeus A. Salazar, Alvin B. Yapan, Abdon M. Balde, Jr., and H. Francisco V. Penones, Jr., for Literature; Catherine Garcia-Molina and Ricardo A. Lee for Film and Broadcast Arts.
Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo, Vice Mayor Gabby Bordado, and Dr. Ramona Raneses of the Bicol Regional Council for Culture and the Arts, along with National Artist Almario, conferred the awards, a plaque and a medallion, to each of the newly proclaimed artists.
The search that aims to recognize the most outstanding artists of Bikolandia, according to the city mayor, was launched February this year when the city hosted the month-long 16th National Arts Month-Bikol Arts Festival.
The 'Banggi nin Pagrokyaw' also honored the winners of the 16th Premio Tomas Arejola para sa Literaturang Bikolnon, the region's most prestigious literary contest sponsored by the Arejola Foundation for Social Progress chaired by Carlos A. Arejola. Winners were picked for various categories, such as rawitdawit, saysay, osipon na pan-aki, nobela and dula whose entries came from budding poets and artists from all over Bikol.
Robredo said the double event was a historic and momentous occasion as it was not only a celebration of the highest level of Bikolano artistry but also an affirmation that "we have taken a step closer towards our aspiration for that vibrant city of our dreams."
He said that what will give the region greater pleasure "is the coming of the day when we fete the first ever Bikolano National Artist, hopefully coming from their ranks."
This year's board of judges for the inaugural search for Bikolano Artists was composed of Sor Asuncion G. Evidente, D.C., president of Universidad de Sta. Isabel; Dr. Ramona B. Raneses, BRCCA chair; Fr. Danilo G. Isidro, S.J., of the Ateneo de Naga University; Carlos A. Arejola, and; Poet and Playwright Frank G. Rivera of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
The working committee for this year's search is headed by Wilfredo B. Prilles, Jr. of the Naga City government. (www.naga.gov.ph)