“Brouhaha” is a nonsensical word used to describe nonsense. In the case of Carlo J. Caparas (and, by extension, Cecile Guidote-Alvarez), that word is fairly adequate.
Let’s consider these interesting bullet-points first:
- Caparas’ defense: In a GMA-7 News report, Caparas says that he “deserves” the honor of the National Artist distinction. Caparas, in an attempt to massacre the allegations that he does not deserve the accolade, likened his victory to a political one.
- Apologia from a commenter: An interesting series of comments in my previous entry managed to result in some healthy debate. You have BrianB’s apologia for Caparas, and you have CR’s criticism of Caparas. Makes for an interesting read, really.
- Ricky Lo’s apologetics: Ricky Lo wrote a very interesting column in the August 4 issue of The Philippine STAR where he enumerates a list of reasons why Caparas deserves the honor. Among others, a street named after him in Pasig, and the volumes of works he collaborated with and churned out.
- Butch Dalisay’s shoot: Butch Dalisay’s interesting counterpoint came a day earlier, where he points out that the flawed process – and by extension the selection of Caparas – should be decried on the basis that the machinations of a flawed culture are in action. Dalisay emphasizes a very important point: that a transparent and respectable selection process should be within the bounds of taste.
Let’s keep those bullet-points in mind.
