HREP TO SHOWCASE RP CULTURE THRU ART TREASURES
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To heighten the people's consciousness of their cultural identity, the House of Representatives has
embarked on a program that will afford ordinary citizens the chance to savor the beauty, meaning and
evolution of the dynamic Filipino culture through the arts created by National Artists.
Mrs. Rhodora B. Nograles, wife of Speaker Prospero C. Nograles and president of the Congressional
Spouses Foundation, Inc. (CSFI), is the moving force behind the program conceptualized by Secretary General
Marilyn Barua-Yap with Deputy Secretaries General Ofelia Cruz (Engineering Department) and Dr. Ramon
Ricardo Roque (Administrative Department).
“We are trying to make the House of Representatives a true and meaningful House of the People. This
continuing art exhibit is designed to complement the legislative and policy-making mandate of Congress,”
Mrs. Nograles said, adding “all these are labor of love.”
“Legislation refines national policies on governance while culture and the arts define our people's identity in
the global community,” she added noting that the art exhibit would remain a permanent feature in the Batasan
premises to greet local visitors and tourists, students and ordinary citizens alike starting July 27 when the
President delivers her State of the Nation Address (SONA) before a joint session
of Congress.
Sec.Gen. Yap, for her part, acknowledged the vital role of the House Committee on Basic Education chaired by
Marikina Rep. Del R. De Guzman who coordinated with Chairperson Dr. Vilma Labrador and Executive Director
Ms. Cecil Guidote-Alvarez of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts for the eventual installation of
the works of art by national artists at the Batasan premises.
“Our initial works now on display are part of our golden heritage,” Mrs. Nograles said, referring to the works of
National Artists Arturo R. Luz, an acknowledged icon in modern art, and Dr. Abedulmari Asia Imao, who
articulates Muslim art and culture.
Mrs. Nograles and Sec. Gen. Yap expressed their gratitude to National Artists Luz and Dr. Imao for their
generosity in loaning their works to the House of Representatives and share their unique works and
artistry which continue to enrich the nation's cultural heritage.
It is very gratifying to note that Luz, through his curator, installed at the Main building entrance his works
entitled: “MANRIQUE” -- Homage to Cesar Manrique No. 2 (Triangulo) a 335-kg., 94x54x51 inches mild steel
metal plate in white finish; “NOGUCHI” -- Homage to Isamu Noguchi. A 130-kg, 79x46x57 inches, 6 inches
nominal diameter x ¼ in. black iron tube in flat black finish; and “TORNER” -- Homage to Gustavo Torner, 24
in. module x ¾ in. thickness of mild steel metal plate in flat black finish, 112 x 82 x 37 inches, 420 kgs
and installed at the South wing entrance. These three masterpieces could command a value of P780,000
each at the least.
On the other hand Dr. Imao, a native of Sulu, with his gracious wife, Grace de Leon Imao, an art curator
herself, personally took the pains of installing the Muslim artist's masterpieces in bronze, wood and
paintings.
Notably, Imao is also offering pieces of the country's past and present political leaders through his bust
creations of former President Diosdado Macapagal and his daughter and sitting President Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo. Both are conspicuously displayed at the rear lobby of the main building.
Imao's paintings now on display at the south wing plenary entrance lobby, consisting of four variations of
“SARIFISHES” and three separate expressions of “SARIMANOK”, could fetch prices ranging from a low of P70,
000 to as much as P200,000. His wood sculptures, three “SARIMANOK” and one “SARIFISHES” of different
dimensions could command the price of P200,000 each. His bronze sculptures, one “SARIMANOK” and
three “SARIFISHES” are likewise valued at P200,000 a piece, at the least.
Sec. Gen Yap, giving due credit to where it is due, acknowledged the crucial coordinative roles played by Ms.
Gigi Ricafort, committee secretary of the Committee on Basic Education, Executive Director Jose Ma. Antonio
Tuano of the House Administrative Management Bureau and his Deputy Executive Director Anton Chan.
“Law making, the culture and the arts are a perfect mix,” Mrs. Nograles said, stressing that “the President's
SONA is a timely start to make it work.”
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SONA ng Pangulong Arroyo naging Makulay
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MALIBAN sa rali sa labas ng Batasan ng complex na pinagdausan ng State of the Nation Address(SONA) ni
Pangulon Gloria Arroyo kahapon, nagpatingkad at nagpakulay din sa ulat sa bayan ng Pangulo ang mga
makulay na kasuotan ng mga dumalo sa huling ulat sa bayan ng Pangulo.
Si Assistant Minority Leader at Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Liza Maza sa puting Filipiniana gown na suot ni
Maza na yari sa katsa idinaan ang kanyang pagkundina sa huling SONA ng Pangulo.
Sa kanyang gown na nakaguhit sa kulay ginto at habang napapalibutan ng beads na kahoy ang imahe ni
Pangulong Arroyo, habang sa bandang ibaba nito nakaguhit naman ang mga imahen ng ng taumbayan.
Sakabila naman na nagdadalantao na si Makati Rep. Mar Len Abigail Binay, rumampa pa rin ito suot ang
kanyang kulay asul na Filipiniana gown.
Bago magsimula ang SONA ng Pangulong Arroyo, nagkaroon din ng pictorial ang mga babaeng
mambabatas at ang mga asawa ng Kongresista na lalong nagpakulay sa SONA ng Pangulo.
Nakatali naman sa braso ni Western Samar Rep. Erin Tanada at ng ibapang Kongresista ang kulay dilaw na
ribbon upang magbigay pugay kay Ginang Cory Aquino.
Wala man kinalaman sa SONA ng Pangulo, nakapaskil naman sa labas ng kwarto ng ni Quezon City Rep.
Annie Susano ang larawan ni U.S. president Barrack Obama.
Nagpatingkad din ng SONA ng pangulo ang artistang sina Lani Mercado, asawa ni Sen. Bong Revilla na
nakasuot ng asul ng gown.
Dumating din ang aktres na asawa ni laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez si Sheila Istrael.
Pagdating naman ng Pangulong Arroyo nanakasout ng pink na gown na sinalubong siya ng masagabong
palakpakan.
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SONA ng Pangulo umani ng iba't ibang reaksyon
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UMABOT sa 124 ang palapak na ibinigay sa State of the Nation Address ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo.
Pero hindi lahat ay napasaya ng matapang na ulat sa bayan ni Pangulo.
Ayon kay Akbayan Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros na “mali at napakapalpak ng implementasyon ng mga
programa, hindi talaga niya napaganda at napataas food supply ng mamamayan hindi yan totong state of the
nation address, dapat soga, state of the Gloria address.”
Hindi naman nagustuhan ni House Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora ang umanoý palaban na SONA ng
Pangulo, “I was disappointed because I was expecting that President Arroyo will categorically say she is
stepping down. It was a fighting SONA. PGMA taking shots at (Senator) Mar (Roxas) and (former President)
Erap Estrada.”
Nadiriwang naman si Citizens Battle Against Corruption Rep. Joel Villanueva dahil “Ito ang pinakamayasang
SONA, kasi huli na ito,” dagdag pa niya, “the good news is may election.”
Pinapurihan naman ng Kongresista ang umanoý sumulat at director ng walang nilalaman umanong palabas
ng pangulo.
“I have to congratulate the director and writer of this empty theatrical and variety show. Hopefully, hindi na siya
ang susunod na mag-SONA. Hopefully ito na ang huli niyang SONA.” Ani villanueva.
Pinagtanggol naman ni Presidential son at Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo ang kanyang Ina sa
mga bumabatikos ng SONA ng Pangulo.
Giniit pa ni Arroyo na sa kaunaunahang pagkakataon pinagtanggol ng pangulo ang kanyang sarili.
Pinatunayan din umano ng pangulo na hindi niya gagamitin ang Kongreso para mapalawig pa ang kanyang
termino.
“Matapang ang SONA. It’s the first time to defend herself. The term extension is not in her agenda. It shows
she won’t extend her term. The issue that she will use the Congress to stay in power is not true. Only her
critics are saying that she wants term extension. She will step down,” pahayag ng panganay na anak ni
Pangulon Arroyo.
Na tuwa naman si Palawan Rep. Antonio Alvarez sa pahayag ng Pangulo, “it was a good fighting. Feel good.
Factual speech which best of all was rendered mostly in Filipino to better rally us to have to have more faith in
ourselves.”
Sinugundahan naman ni First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo na nalinaw umano ng pangulo ang mga
hakahaka na hindi ito baba sa pagkapangulo, “it is clear she (President Arroyo) is stepping down after her
term.”
Palaban na SONA ang narinig naman ni Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga said “this is a fighting SONA from a
fighting president. It is an opportunity for her to defend herself against critics. If I were the President, I will also
use the situation to defend myself anyway this SONA. Obviously, she said she is stepping down and that her
term will end next year. We believe her.”
Ayon naman kay Speaker Prospero “Boy” Nograles na ipinakita lamang ng huling SONA ng pangulo ang
magandang resulta ng kanyang administrasyon, partikular na ang proyekto sa job generation, economy,
education at infrastructure development.
“The President's SONA tough in refuting her critics but it is also solidly based on real and factual
achievements. Her SONA is an undeniable proof that of all the Presidents that have come and go, her
administration is probably the most accomplished in the actual delivery of all her commitments in each of her
SONA in the past nine years,” ani Nograles.
PInahayag naman ni Defense Sec. Gilbert Teodoro na “You don’t criticize anybody without expecting to get
criticized in return…everybody has the right to reply.”
“Yes, its’ enough,” ito naman ang naging tugon ni Teodoro kung sapat na ba ang pahayag ng Pangulo na
hindi na muling taktabo si Ginang Arroyo sa 2010 eleksyon.
“Oo naman (matapang)” ang tugon ni former President Fidel Ramos sa naging sona ng Pangulo, “the
speech was almost one hour.”
Naniniwala naman si Sorsogon Rep. Jose Soli na nahuli ng tatlong taon ang pagtatanggol ng pangulo sa
kanyang sarili.
“Dapat sinabi niyan 3 years ago hindi ngayon lang, hindi na sana, yung ang totoo ang stand ng economy
natin yung ang totoo, sa akin palagay to late to hear,” ani Solis.
Naniniwala naman si Solis na mapapakinabangan ng mga kaalyado ng pangulo ang kanyang mga
binitiwang salita, kapag nagsimula nag kampanya para sa pagkapangulo.
“Pakikinabangan ng mga kaalyado niyang party, dahil yan ang sasabihin sa entablado ng kanyang mga
kalaban,” pagbibigay diin pa ni Solis.
Kampante naman si Valenzuela Rep. Rex Gatchalian na matutuloy ang eleksyon, batay na rin sa binitiwang
salita ng Pangulo.
“Well klarong klaro sinabi ng presidente na magkakaroon tayo ng eleksyon next year.” Pahayag ng
Kongresista.
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Right of Reply bill buhay pa rin sa kamara
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HINDI pa rin nakakahinga ng maluwag ang mga kagawad ng Media matapos na aminin ni Speaker Prospero
Nograles na sumisipa pa rin ang right of reply bill sa arena ng Kongreso.
Inamin ni Nograles sa muling pagbubukas ng sesyon ng Kongreso, kinakailangan umano aksyunan ang
naturang panukalang batas na pilit sinusubaybayan ni Senate Minority leader Aquilino Pimentel
Jr. ang kalagayan ng RRB.
“They are following it up. We have to take it up, following the 19 votes (senators) diyan,” ani Nograles.
Kabilang si Bacolod City Rep. Monico Puentevella na gumuhit ng RBB mariing tinututulan ng mga
mamahayag.
Umani rin ng pagbatikos ang nasabing panukala na nagresulta ng pag-atras nina presidential wannabes
Sen. Francis Escudero at Sen. Mar Roxas sa panukala.
Maging si House deputy majority leader Sonny Angara ay binawi din ang kanyang pagiging co-authorship sa
right of rely bill.
“I have listened to feedbacks from different media groups around the country and their position seems to be
that media groups, as a matter
of practice and self-regulation,” ani Angara.
Layunin ng panukala na bigyan ng pagkakataon na maihayag ang panig ng isang indibidwal na
nababatantan sa balita.
At kung sino ang hindi tumalima dito, parurusahan at pagmumultahin ang mga editor in chief at station
managers.
Pero naniniwala si Angara na matagal ng umiiral ang right of reply, na naging dahilan ng kanyang pag atras
sa RBB.
“already extend this right of reply to persons who are the subjects of a negative story or article. This has led
me to a decision to no longer pursue the bill,” dagdag pa ni Angara.
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