A PORTRAIT OF THE FILIPINO ARTIST AS A FATHER

I heard the news from my friend John yesterday afternoon: my father has been might be named national artist for architecture (hours later the announcement was retracted, and then clarification issued that the list is not being reduced but added to). Truth is I'd been hearing rumors for a few weeks, but didn't want to assume anything until I saw the news in print. Which I did. And then didn't.

UPDATED May 24, 2006: It's official.

But I called my dad long-distance from work to congratulate him yesterday anyway; he and I spent a good part of our five-minute call laughing (I'd use the term "giggling" but the image of a 75-year-old man doing that might seem strange to anyone else but dad and me). He seems thrilled, especially since he's been receiving innumerable congratulatory phone calls from relatives and friends, colleagues, former students, and just about everyone else who knows him and has already seen or heard the news. Or the non-news, for that matter.

There was a quick moment during the conversation when I spotted the differences in our priorities arising from our stages in life. For instance, I was excited by the medical and hospitalization benefits he'd he may be receiving; dad said he was looking forward to the state funeral. Yet there were similarities, too: our delight over the cash prize, for instance (I told him not to go and spend it at the tiangge; I'm sure if I were receiving it instead he'd tell me not to blow it all on shoes).

It's obvious, I would think, of how proud I am of my father. Although this is how I feel about him, regardless of whether or not he's a national artist, I'm intoxicated with pure, unadulterated joy that he is being recognized for his dedication to the pursuit of excellence and ethics of his profession, his devotion to his work and in training future generations of landscape architects and, yes, for his love for his country.

It wasn't that long ago, after all, when folks would ask me what my father did for a living and after I'd tell them, they'd then reply,"So basically he's a gardener?" I remember answering once, "Well if an architect is the same thing as a carpenter, then I suppose he is." Just to clarify: I do have the highest regard for gardeners (and carpenters) and in fact, my dad is also a gardener in the sense that he has a profound, expert knowledge of plants and can make just about anything grow (in soil, water, and air at that). But gardening is not his profession and neither is it what he has taught his students all these years.

I asked dad yesterday how he felt about the announcement. He said he was still the same guy he was before he was told, and he was trying not to make a big deal out of it. So I suppose I've decided to whoop it up a bit for good ol' dad instead; after all, the realist (or cynic, depending on how you see it) in me knows that with FPJ being declared national artist for cinema as well, my dad's achievement will be buried somewhere in the middle of any news story hitting print, the airwaves, and the internet, his contributions receiving no more than maybe one line of description or two. But that's just the way it is -- celebrity and controversy always attract more attention and fanfare, and judging from the (woeful) state and fate of our parks and green spaces, I wouldn't bet on my father receiving much hype at all.

Which is just as well; dad's always been an understated kind of guy in public anyway (except for that one time during a neighborhood affair a few years ago, when in the spirit of competition he displayed a glimpse of the top of his red briefs to the entire assembly. The revelation of an old man with his shock of brilliant white hair and wooden cane wearing such flashy, hip underwear caused our normally calm monsignor to convulse and fall over in laughter, as well as scandalize a group of stodgy, proper church ladies. But hey, my dad's an artist after all -- unpredictable, eccentric, and idiosyncratic, among other wonderful things.). So he's not seeking a ticker-tape parade or anything of the sort.

And forgive me if I post this despite the non-announcement. You have to understand: I took up gardening as my personal way of honoring my father for the rest of my life. I suppose it's understandable if I write a few paragraphs about him in a blog post that will eventually be buried in my site archives. Daddy, I was always proud that what you did for a living added (much-needed) life to this world. Congratulations -- despite whatever announcement is eventually issued within the next few weeks -- and I love you.

Comments

[jo kuiipo]

A great honor for your father! Congrats to him and to the rest of your family.

[milkphish]

[premature] congratulations on your dad's achievement. i saw his picture and name mentioned in the Filipino news (abs-cbn) that was aired this morning in the local (seattle) international channel.

i can feel your pride in your words.

[Luchie]

hey there Gigi! Congratulations to your father and of course to your whole family.
Happy Easter too!

[Sandra]

Congratulations, Gigi. What a an awesome honor for your Dad and your entire family:)
On a side note - I looked up an article about the National Artist awards and saw that Ramon Obusan is also going to be honored. I think I was told he is my Dad's cousin or something. Interesting, huh?

[Gigi]

Hi Jo, Milkphish, Luchie, and Sandra - Thank you, thank you! Happy Easter to all -- I hope you all get time off from work (I don't, still I have ya all do.) :)

Sandra - I was going to ask you about Obusan! I figured there was blood relation going on somewhere. :)

[Gary]

I like gardners too. And having been raised by one, I can appreciate the creativeness of landscape architects as well. Congrats to your father!
Now if I could have been a bio-engineer, I would have figured out a way to make grass grow only 1" tall (stunt it) so I never have to mow it...not that I mow it now...but that is my predicament now.
Maybe a rock garden would be good for me. -g

[Gigi]

Hey Gar! I'm surprised you haven't figured out the grass problem. But knowing you, with your McGyver abilities, you'll figure out a way to mow grass while taking a nap. You probably have all the parts to invent such a gizmo in your car somewhere, you just don't know it yet. :)

[ajay]

Congratulations. It's the ultimate achievement for a lifetime of work. And oh... happy Easter!:)

[Gej]

Am really very happy for you and your family! In fact, write some more about your Dad. Am particularly interested in his nursery of plants and your memorable trips there. Write about how you discovered what his career was, his passion for plants, and his most significant projects.

Grabe, until you told me about your Dad's career some years back, all I knew was landscaper and architect, and that they had little to do with each other. I had no idea of what he was doing, and his stature in his field. I remember your house full of plants, but didn't know your Dad's career had anything to do with them. The closest I probably got to finding out about what your Dad did was when I rode with Ray M to pick you up from your Dad's office near Bel-Air ( I think it's already Rockwell now) but I didn't even step out of the car.

I bet your Dad's biggest thrill being National Artist is how his little girl is so proud of him!

[ian]

congratulations to your dad and your entire family, gigi! news like this always makes me giddy...

[wendell]

your dad pioneered landscape architecture not only in UP/the philippines. he contextualized LA within philippine experience and transformed it into something even more unique: tropical landscape architecture. he pioneered the discipline across southeast asia. my background is largely literary but the legacy of IP santos crosses boundaries. he truly deserves to be named national artist.

[mark]

Hey congrats to your dad! I know the NA is rife with politics but I do hope it doesn't take away anything from the recognition and joy it brings to your family.

Happy Easter!

[Joy]

Wow, congrats to your dad,to you, and to the whole family!!!

I was bloghopping and got hold of your site. I enjoyed reading your posts. Cheers!

[Jayred]

Congratulations, Gigi, for having a great father!

All the best in your gardening. What a way to honor your cool dad.

[Mai]

Congrats to your dad I am sure you are all proud of him :)

You're IPSantos*' daughter pala he was one of our teachers in college.

*name I knew him by because I would always see this on the registration sheets :)

[Gigi]

Hi Ajay, Gej, Ian, Wendell, Mark, Joy, Jayred, and Mai-

Thanks so very much for all the kind and sweet words, y' all! I really can't express how happy and thrilled I am for my father. I bought a small Japanese maple tree -- a rare variety, one that looks quite fragile but is deceptively strong and resilient (just like dad) -- and am planting it to remind myself of this event. You can bet I'm going to take great care of it -- unlike the first thing dad showed me how to plant when I was still a toddler (Petunia seeds, actually), that I soon ignored after I got impatient when it didn't grow right away. It's a cliche but nonetheless true: the best things come to those who wait. Dad waited 40+ years for something like this, I suppose. :)

[sarah]

that is AWESOME. i love it when people are honored for doing their work. =) congratulations!

[Bryz]

congrats!!! I'm happy at least landscape architecture is given its long overdue recognition in this country. Hopefully, maabutan ko pa si Arch. Santos once I get accepted to the Landscape Arch. Prog. of UP. This will be my second course.

[Gigi]

Hi Sarah and Bryz - Thanks for the nice words!!!

[BatJay, Ang Dating Folk Singer ng Ma Mon Luk]

hi KB.

congratulations to your dad. wow - national artist.

really really kyul.

[Gigi]

Hi Idol - And welcome back to your utol too (it's about time!). :) Thanks ulit!

[alan alvendia]

your blog is very interesting. congrats to your dad. by the way, am about to print a streamer for your dad. i'm about done but its very simple. would yo mind sending me his photo so i could insert it?

[Gigi]

Hi pinsan - I emailed you directly. Hope you guys have a blast later. :)