黑料社

The appreciation dinner that the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) hosted for former First Lady and graft convict Imelda Marcos as part of its 50th-anniversary celebration also saw the launching of a fund-raising campaign for survivors of the Taal Volcano eruption. CCP chair Margie Moran-Floirendo made this disclosure late afternoon Friday following the huge social media backlash that followed the Wednesday night event.

Netizens who monitored the event on social media criticized Floirendo and the CCP board of trustees for pushing through with the event as thousands fled their homes and languished in evacuation centers due to the restive volcano, which rained sulfur-smelling ash on surrounding towns and cities.The CCP statement was silent on the online furor.

Floirendo would not provide the amount raised so far for Taal survivors, saying the fund-raising 鈥渋s still ongoing till Jan. 30.鈥�

鈥淟ast Jan. 15, 2020, the CCP hosted an appreciation dinner for Mrs. Imelda Marcos to recognize her contribution as founding chair of the institution. It was in this dinner that we launched a fund-raising campaign for the Taal victims,鈥� the center said.

Aside from Floirendo, the statement also carried the names of CCP president Arsenio Lizaso and board members Marivic Del Pilar, Baltazar Endriga, Michelle Nikki Junia, Jaime Laya, Mary Rose Magsaysay, Stanley Borero Seludo and Zenaida Tantoco.

Out on bail

Photos taken at the CCP main lobby that found their way to social media showed the cavernous venue spruced up to accommodate three long tables lined with floral arrangements that ran from end to end. Each table had table settings meant to accommodate at least two dozen guests.

Guests later posted photos of Marcos鈥攃urrently out on bail after her conviction on seven counts of graft last November鈥攚earing an embroidered pink 鈥渢erno鈥� with a miniature Philippine flag pinned on the left side of her chest. Her three children Sen. Imee Marcos, losing vice presidential candidate Ferdinand 鈥淏ongbong鈥� Jr. and Irene attended the dinner.

The CCP said the board of trustees 鈥渆xpresses gratefulness to all who have contri颅buted to the vision and mission of the institution. As one of the first performing arts centers in the region, the CCP has sponsored talented Filipinos who have gained worldwide recognition, brought international artists to the Philippines and in general, helped revitalize and raise awareness of Philippine arts and culture.鈥�

It added that several activities had been lined up 鈥渢o recognize and celebrate people and institutions that have contributed significantly to the CCP throughout the years.鈥�

While the statement did not specify the lineup, one notable offer later this month is CCP Arthouse Cinema鈥檚 premiere of 鈥淭he Kingmaker,鈥� an award-winning documentary helmed by Lauren Greenfield that 鈥渆xplores the legacy of the Marcos regime and examines the Marcos family鈥檚 improbable return to power in the Philippines.鈥�

鈥业苍蝉别苍蝉颈迟颈惫别鈥�

Two screenings will be held on Jan. 29 at the 421-seater Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino, aka Little Theater: a matinee at 3 p.m. and a gala screening at 7:30 p.m.

黑料社 of the CCP event drew sighs of dismay on social media, with netizens calling it 鈥渋nsensitive,鈥� coming as it did three days after Taal Volcano spewed tons of ash and sent at least 60,000 residents to eva颅cuation centers.

Twitter user @radikalchick (katrinastuartsantiago) slammed the 鈥渇ancy sit-down dinner [that used] taxpayers鈥� funds. For who you ask? Why, the Marcoses of course! #BlockMarcos鈥�

Another account @mackiePzamarro (Mackie Zamarro) called out the CCP chair: 鈥淭hank you Margie Moran. Your 鈥榳isdom鈥� never ceases to amaze me 鈥� Dining with the dictator鈥檚 notorious wife, feasting on the best and the most expensive food available while Taal evacuees make do with donated sardines and noodles. How fitting it really is, right Margie?鈥�

2009 tribute

The furor recalled similar protests in September 2009 by the Concerned Artists of the Philippines and party list groups Bayan Muna and Alliance of Concerned Teachers, when the CCP also paid tribute to Imelda Marcos as part of its 40th anniversary.

The tribute, a musical suite titled 鈥淪even Arts, One Imelda,鈥� featured performances by some of the country鈥檚 most distinguished artists and a fashion show of extravagant ternos by the country鈥檚 top couturiers.

Described without irony by Bongbong Marcos in his remarks as 鈥渟uitably imeldific,鈥� the invitational gala event, according to the CCP website, aimed to 鈥渆xtol the seven arts through signature pieces created during the period of Imelda鈥檚 patronage.鈥�

鈥楽anctuary for the arts鈥�

CCP officials, who said the tribute was in recognition of Imelda鈥檚 role in founding the 鈥渟anctuary for the arts鈥� that the institution has become, brushed off the protesters鈥� objections that the event was meant to deodorize the 鈥渆xcesses and abuses鈥� of the Marcoses鈥� 21-year rule.

Said then CCP vice president and artistic director Raul Sunico: 鈥淲e want to give this tribute irrespective of political color. Let art and politics be separate.鈥�

Imelda鈥檚 response to the protests was typical: 鈥淎s you can see, beauty conquers everything. Because beauty is God. And God will always prevail.鈥�

Imelda has been widely credited as the driving force behind the construction of the CCP edifice, which was designed by National Artist Leandro Locsin and was recently declared a National Cultural Treasure.

Ferdinand Marcos鈥� Executive Order No. 30, signed in 1966, established the CCP 鈥渨ith the purpose of promoting and preserving Filipino arts and culture.鈥�

The agency is currently attached to the Office of the President and operates under the umbrella of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts 鈥渇or policy and program coordination.鈥�