Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing demands CCP chair Raul Sunico, other execs’ heads
By: Cynthia D. Balana
Philippine Daily Inquirer
7:30 am Monday, August 8th, 2011
MANILA, Philippines—Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing on Sunday demanded the resignation of Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Chair Raul Sunico and other officials of the state-run institution for allowing an art exhibit on its premises that “desecrated Jesus Christ and the Holy Family.”
Bagatsing was particularly enraged by a crucifix with a penis glued to Christ’s face and a Christ The King figurine with rabbit ears, in a work entitled “Poleteismo” by multiawarded artist Mideo Cruz, which is part of the “Kulo” exhibit staged by a group of artists from the University of Santo Tomas, a Catholic institution.
“Binaboy ng husto si Cristo (They really disrespected Christ),” said Bagatsing, who called for an immediate stop to the exhibit, which opened on June 17 and will run until Aug. 21.
The exhibit commemorates the 150th birth anniversary of the national hero Jose Rizal, who was also denounced for blasphemy in his time.
Malacañang would not comment on the issue, according to Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte. She said it was up to the CCP to defend its decisions.
Artist groups defended the exhibit as an exercise of the freedom of expression.
But Bagatsing said “CCP is supposed to promote the positive side of culture and the arts. They did the exact opposite.”
