The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
There are pros and cons on issues, showbiz or not.
The selection of the 2025 National Artists is one recent event where opinions vary.
When Malacanang recently announced the official list of National Artists that include Gabriel Formoso for Architecture (Posthumous), Nonoy Froilan for Dance, Patis Tesoro for Design, Armando “Bing” Lao for Film and Broadcast Arts (Posthumous), Gregorio C. Brillantes for Literature (Posthumous), Nicanor G. Tiongson for Literature, Alfredo S. Buenaventura for Music, Teodoro L. Hilado for Theater (Posthumous) and Imelda Cajipe-Endaya for Visual Arts, many are still asking why Vilma Santos was not included.
Wait!
In the eleventh hour, another name was included to make up the ten National Artists.
Nunelucio Alvarado for Visual Arts.
Still, no Vilma Santos on the list.
In her post under the Showbiz Clippings FB account, netizen Hershey Juezan asks: “Where is Vilma Santos?”
According to Hershey, as a Vilmanian, she will speak openly: “my disappointment is no longer simply about the outcome. It is about the process. I have never doubted Vilma Santos. What I have questions about is a selection process that, from the public’s perspective, remains largely behind closed doors.
“Before this latest proclamation, rumors and supposed “insider information” circulated claiming that there were people within the selection process determined to block Vilma Santos. I documented some of these claims and even wrote about them before the official list was released.
“I am not saying those allegations are true. But now that Vilma has once again been excluded, those rumors inevitably raise an uncomfortable question:
“Why shouldn’t the selection process be more transparent?
“Show us the criteria.
“Show us how nominees are evaluated….
“Not because we want to diminish those who were chosen. I respect the newly proclaimed National Artists, and this post is not a question of whether they deserve the honor…
“How many times must one of the most enduring and influential figures in Philippine cinema be passed over before people are allowed to ask why?
“Decades of work…
“Cultural impact.
“Critical recognition.
“A body of work that has become part of Philippine cinema itself…
“If there are legitimate artistic or institutional reasons why Vilma Santos has repeatedly failed to make the final list, then tell us what they are…
“Give the public confidence that every deserving artist is being judged fairly, objectively, and without personal prejudice.
“Because Vilma Santos does not need a title to prove what she has contributed to Philippine cinema…”
Ronald Rios, known in the digital world as Onat Onat, posted on his FB wall a cryptic message: “If that person was the reason…I spit on his grave.”
Is Ronald alluding to one of the members of the Order of National Artist selection committee who voted against a nominee?
Is Rios referring to a fierce critic who allegedly blocked an actress from winning the award?
Meanwhile, movie scribe Ismaeli Favatini, a known Noranian, noted: “Darating din ang panahon kay (Time will come for) Vilma Santos).”
Former Young Critics Circle member Nonoy Lauzon quipped: “Next time si Vilma Santos.”
A certain Dennis Esplana wrote in the Nora Aunor: Grand Dame of Philippine Cinema FB account: “Tignan mo nga naman ngayong Sept. Yung namaalam binigyang BUHAY. Yung nabubuhay PATAY na ang pag-asa (Consider this this month. The one who bid adieu was given LIFE. For the living one, hope is DEAD).”
Esplana must be referring to Nora receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Manila International Film Festival in Los Angeles, CA.
Filmmaker Jay Altarejos digitally commented: “Just wait for the National Artist award for governance, good or bad” with an art card of Vilma Santos.