One of the requirements of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)--the two state institutions which facilitate the nominations and choices for the Order of National Artist--is an endorsement of an organization to a nominee in the National Artist Award.
Without much ado, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Tanay, Rizal quickly formulated a resolution endorsing visual.artist and poet Epitacio Tongohan, also known as "Doc Penpen" and "Bugtong Takipsilim," as a nominee to the Order of National Artist for Literature for 2025.
According to Rafael Tanjuatco, Mayor of Tanay, Tongohan deserves to be a National Artist for Literature (Poetry) because he has shown a visionary commitment to global unity through the foundation of Pentasi B World Friendship Poetry which gained world acclaim, a revolutionary Filipino poet who has transformed the landscape of language, as a renowned Father of Visual Poetry by esteemed organizations worldwide etc.
Visual poetry is a modern concept of the mix of texts and images on canvas or digital page.
"Doc Penpen is a pride of Tanay to be proclaimed National Artist," exclaimed Tanjuatco.
"I believe that a credible organization as our LGU of Tanay will merit a good chance in the fight for the highest honor in the arts community," said Tongohan.
"I've seen a lot of artists from various persuasions but Doc Penpen or Bugtong Takipsilim possesses unique traits as a visual artist and poet, a feat not too many artists are endowed with.
"An encouraging push from the LGU of Tanay also makes a difference that separates Doc Penpen from the rest," said Joe Lad Santos, former chairman of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF).
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