The tribute to National Artists Lucio San Pedro, Levi Celerio and Atang de la Rama–hopefully the first in a series of such tributes–reminded us once again that great art lives on, beyond the lifetimes of its creators, and constantly finds new life and meaning in new generations who discover these masterpieces. Most of us have to admit to limited knowledge about our National Artists; can the man in the street name even ten of the nearly 50 artists who have been so honored since the award was established in 1972?
This shortcoming can be corrected by tributes like Lagi Kitang Naaalala, last week-end’s musical extravaganza produced by the Cultural Center of the Philippines in conjunction with ABS-CBN (which, according to its spokesperson, admitted that their participation in this production was prompted by "guilt" over having ignored the deaths earlier this year of San Pedro and Celerio, which coincided with the overly publicized death of a young actor who was the network’s talent), the Management Association of the Philippines (hopefully, this signals a much more active partnership between big business and the arts) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
The show gave us both what we need and what we want to hear. Classics of Philippine music almost lost on this generation of Britney Spears and Westlife were brought to life in grand style. Director Chris Millado, currently the CCP’s Associate Artistic Director and head of the Performing Arts Department, must be commended for bringing the different numbers together into a cohesive whole. And also for making pop stars and "serious" artists comfortable performing with each other.
It was a good show no matter what your theater or musical preferences may be, but Lagi Kitang Naaalala went beyond that: it was a reminder that there is nobility in our spirit, that we’re not all crooked deals, corrupt politicians and broken traffic lights. ’Twas a pity that very few government officials watched the show (one senator was in the audience on opening night, but it was probably because his daughter was in the cast); the experience might have provided an epiphany for them to do right by Inang Bayan. As CCP Artistic Director and stage and film actor Nanding Josef said so very eloquently in a closing spiel that touched many in the audience: "Tatlong Pambansang Alagad ng Sining, tatlong dakilang bayani ng ating bayan, pawang anak maralita, subali’t sila’y naging tapat sa kanilang sining, naging mapagkumbaba sa harap ng tagumpay at naging busilak sa kanilang pangarap para sa ating Inang Bayan.
"Sa mga panahong ito, na patuloy na hinahamon ang ating katapatan sa ating bayan at patuloy na sinusuri ang ating karangalan bilang mga Pilipino, sana naman ang buhay at likhang sining ng ating tatlong bayani ay maging bukal ng inspirasyon ng ating puri at dangal tungo sa tunay na ikadadakila ng ating Inang Bayan."
The show will be telecast over ABS-CBN sometime soon, but this is a show that is best appreciated live. It wasn’t easy getting all the artists–over 30 solo artists, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the Angono Symphonic Band, Ballet Philippines, Bayanihan Dance Company, Tanghalang Pilipino, the Philippine Madrigal Singers and four choral groups, not to mention the artistic and production staff–together, and it will be that much more difficult getting them together again, but this endeavor is worth the effort of a repeat, at more popular prices perhaps, and to a much wider audience.
We owe it to our National Artists that their works be known and appreciated by all our people. And we owe it to ourselves as Filipinos to be nurtured and ennobled by their vision of who the Filipino is.