Yes, Allan Suaverdez, Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) President Michelle Nikki Junia is a true blue Batanguena by virtue of the origins of her mom, Cora Junia.
It is in this context that she's inviting artists from the Province of Batangas to join the calls for nomination to the prestigious Order of National Artist (ONA) for 2025.
Or even if Michelle Nikki isn't from the "balisong (a kind of native knife)" country, she will, as a Filipino, fellow artist, art patron and simple citizen will still encourage outstanding creatives to join the search that will end its nomination on June 30, 2023.
Unlike the previous years which allowed submissions from individual nominees, the ONA nominations for 2025 will be coursed through a group or an organization.
Joining the nominations, Michelle Nikki echoed, from CCP Chairman Jaime Laya, are rigorous and laborious.
Even National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee concurred the process of nomination. "Kailangang mag-submit pa ng napakaraming dokumento para maging kapani-paniwala pa ang mga materyales na isusumite. Kung sa panitikan, kailangan, tunay o authentic ang likha tulad ng maikling kuwento o nobela. Sa painting, 'yong katunayan na trabaho talaga 'yon ng artist. May mga susulatin pang mga kung anu-ano (One has to submit a lot of documents to lend credence to the materials being entered. In literature, in visual arts and all fields, creations must be authenticated. You also have to write so many things as requirements)," said Ricky who also attended the launch at the Leandro V. Locsin Theater of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in Intramuros.
Who can join the nominations?
Artists who are living during the nomination must be Filipino citizens or at the time of their deaths must be Filipino citizens after the establishment of the award in 1972; artists who have created works that embody Filipino nationhood; artists whose creations have impacted future generations of artists; artists who have impressive body of works hailed by fellow artists, critics and recognized national cultural agencies like Haraya Award of the NCCA, Gawad CCP Para sa Sining of the CCP.
NCCA and CCP are partners in organizing and overseeing the ONA.
Meanwhile, in a separate occasion Michelle Nikki met up and huddled with Angela Luz, the ex-girlfriend of Vic Sotto and daughter of the late National Artist for Visual Arts Arturo Luz who was one of the exhibited artists at the "Selections of the 21st Art Museum Collection" at the National Museum of the Philippines.
Wonder what Michelle Nikki and Angela talked about aside from her NA dad.
Angela and Vic's daughter Paulina Sotto who is already a mom?
Photo Caption: CCP President Michelle Nikki Junia (second from right), Angela Luz (left) with friends and art lovers (Photo Credit: Boy Villasanta)
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