In Defense of PNOY and Nora Aunor

Many people, especially the diehard supporters of Ms. Nora Aunor, were displeased when our Chief Executive dropped her name from our country’s new roster of National Artists – like a hot potato.

It cannot be denied that Ate Guy, as she is fondly called, can be considered as the greatest Filipino actor of all time. She has reaped countless awards for her acting prowess, both local and international. She has brought honor to our country several times by winning the Best Actress award in film festivals abroad.

Her contribution to the film industry is unmatched, and her popularity during her younger years defied the norm by having natural brown skin if I may add. 

So why was she removed from the list by the final arbiter in the person of our President?

Why Ate Guy didn’t make it has spawned numerous discussions and theories. The most novel and notorious of them all is the reason that she bears a resemblance to PNOY’s predecessor, former President and now Congresswoman Gloria M. Arroyo. Another theory is that PNOY allegedly is rooting for the late Comedy King Dolphy to be proclaimed as the “one”. And the most hilarious that I have heard so far, is that maybe because PNOY is a Vilmanian.

PNOY was mum on the issue for a time which has led people to come up with their own speculations, until yesterday when he finally addressed the issue head on. So what was the reason why Ms. Aunor was accorded the presidential snub?

In a nutshell, the President cited Aunor’s drug-related case abroad several years ago as ground for her disqualification. It should be recalled that on March 30 2005, Aunor was arrested in Los Angeles Airport for possession of 8 grams of methamphetamine.

But wait, PNOY committed a blunder though, when he claimed that Aunor was convicted for drug possession.

Aunor’s lawyer in the US during that time, Atty. Claire Navarro Espina was quick to clarify that her client was never convicted. She further explained that in 2007, the case was dismissed by the court after Aunor has successfully gone through and finished the drug diversion program, and after she has tested negative in 40 random drug tests.

It is not clear whether there is or there is no morality clause in the criteria for selecting a National Artist. In my own opinion, I think that there was none since Aunor passed the initial screening, and eventually landed on the shortlist that was forwarded to Malacañang. If there was such clause, then there was no way for her to have passed the initial screening.

I agree with PNOY when he mentioned that a National Artist should serve as a role model. In my own opinion, it is not enough that an artist has contributed immensely to his or her craft or field, but such artist should also have demonstrated commendable moral behavior, and continues to be of good moral character. I believe that there is no necessity for this to be put in black and white since this is already a given.

What are universal laws for?

Nobody is contesting the fact that Ms. Aunor was not convicted. However, this cannot and will never erase the reality that she was arrested for drug possession in a foreign land, convicted or not. Moreover, not being convicted does not necessarily translate to not having committed any wrongdoing at all.

My take on this matter is that the Superstar may not be criminally liable, but she is morally liable. As a celebrated actress and film icon, much is expected of her. We are not judging her though, since nobody is in a position to judge any individual, aside from the maxim that nobody is perfect. And we are not condemning her as well.

Ate Guy may not have bagged the prestigious title. But in the hearts of her fans and colleagues in the industry, she is a national treasure. Her not getting the title does not in any way make her any less of a great artist that she is. And my personal sentiment is that it will take another lifetime to have another actress of Nora’s caliber.

PNOY for sure has garnered more critics this time as regards the issue at hand. But his non-inclusion of Nora Aunor is a presidential prerogative, and he has a very strong reason for doing so.

Furthermore, his decision as the Chief Executive deserves acceptance and respect.

Time to move on people.