Media, artists slam Baguio gov’t ‘censorship’ in art

STUDENTS doing chalk art along Seassion Road, Baguio  City on a Sunday.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P Dizon

BAGUIO CITY – Journalists and local artists raised a howl against this summer capital’s new policy prohibiting chalk art with political undertones at Session Road on Sundays.
    They said this infringes on freedom of expression.
    In separate statements, the Kordilyera Media-Citizens Council (KMCC) and the local chapter of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) called the restriction “censorship.”
    First, the KMCC statement released May 12:
    “The Kordilyera Media-Citizen Council (KMCC) has no other words to describe the Baguio City Tourism Office's policy prohibiting any artwork that is an “expression of political views and portrayals that negatively question or express opinions about social and political issues” on the Session Road Sunday Promenade but censorship. It is not only an outright attack against freedom of expression but an affront to a place that holds a title as the first member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the Philippines.

“We are highly concerned by the statement of City Tourism Officer Aloysius Mapalo, that such policy promotes “safe creative expression” and its effort to define what are “socially and culturally accepted norms” by setting the restriction. Contrary to his belief, the prohibition is reminiscent of Adolf Hitler’s Nazi State and Marcos’ Martial Law. He should likewise be reminded that the Anti-Subversion Law has long been repealed.

“Promotion of “safe expression” means respect for one's thoughts and perspectives. It should go beyond color, race, religion, and political beliefs. This arbitrary imposition not only limits creative ideas, but also denies the existence of social realism in the arts and its vital role in shaping public opinion and social discourse.

“It is a policy that cultivates apathy instead of concern, a regulation that puts artists and art enthusiasts in a vacuum, a place devoid of care. Further, implying that political exercise in art form is socially unacceptable betrays the legacy of great artists like Juan Luna, and social realists Neil Doloricon, Antipas Delotavo, Ang Kiukok, Jose Tence Ruiz, and Baguio’s Santi Bose. Even National Artist for Visual Arts Benedicto Cabrera or BenCab, also of Baguio, has dabbled in politically relevant works. Many of the younger artists of note like Mideo Cruz, Sari Dalena, Pio Abad and our very own Kawayan De Guia, Rocky Cajigan, and the late Rene Aquitania are also very political in their works. To deny politically relevant artworks is to deny the growth of the artists who take part in the chalk art.

“We in the media and civic organizations also tolerate bloggers who are almost extreme in their views in an effort not to curtail the freedom of expression. We ask Mapalo to do the same for the Sunday Session Road chalk art.

“We likewise call on Mayor Benjamin Magalong and the city council to look into this matter.”

(The KMCC is a media self-regulation mechanism initiated with civil society. It is a forum for media and community issues and for citizens to air their grievances to matters relating to media reportage. It provides an avenue for individuals or institutions to give their side to published or broadcast stories, and for communities to make their voices heard).

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NUJP Baguio-Benguet also reminded city officials the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and “ensures the right to hold opinions and ideas and share them without the state interfering.”

“We acknowledge the city government’s mandate to regulate activities and conduct during the Sunday closure of Session Road. However, officials should remember that regulation should not trample on fundamental human rights,” it said in a statement on Thursday, May 11.

“The policy, restricting political views, infringes on these rights, considered the heart of all freedoms. It is censorship, plain and simple,” the group added.

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The Session Road Sunday Pedestrianization, which the city suspended after the Panagbenga because of some complaints from the buskers, resumed last May 7. The guidelines, released last week, include rules for busking, chalk art, and showcasing arts and crafts, an article by Rappler reporter Sherwin De Vera said.

Citing the rules set for the chalk art, the city’s information office said: “Expression of political views and portrayals that negatively question or express opinions about social and political issues are not allowed. Graphic or literal suggestions and expressions of subversive acts or movements will not be tolerated.”

The guidelines also prohibit “images promoting corporate brands or institutions, and political affiliations” unless they are part of a thematic showcase permitted by authorities, said the Rappler report.

In 2019, Magalong reportedly ordered Session Road’s closure every Sunday to encourage residents and tourists to walk and reduce pollution.

The road’s closure also provided a venue for local business start-ups to promote their products and for individuals to showcase and improve their drawing skills, the report said.