National Artist Ramon Obusan dies

National Artist Ramon Obusan dies

National Artist for Dance Ramon Obusan passed away last Thursday, December 21, at the Makati Medical Center in Makati City. He was 68 years old.

The cause of his death was cardio-pulmonary arrest.

Obusan was named National Artist last May 23, 2006, under Proclamation No. 1066. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo conferred the award on Obusan and six other new National Artists, namely Bienvenido L. Lumbera (Literature) , Benedicto R. Cabrera (Visual Arts), Ildefonso P. Santos, Jr. (Architecture) , Ronald Allan K. Poe a.k.a. Fernando Poe Jr. (Film-Posthumous) , Ramon Valera (Fashion Design-Posthumous) and Abdulmari Asia Imao (Sculpture), last June 9 at the Malacanan Ceremonial Hall.

Obusan was the founder of the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group (ROFG) which earned fame and distinction for its fidelity and authenticity in presenting Filipino traditional dances. Obusan established the ROFG in 1972. Up to the time of his death, Obusan was overseeing the ROFG’s annual Christmas program Vamos A Belen at the CCP. He was also in the midst of preparations for the ROFG cultural presentation for the state dinner to be hosted by President Arroyo for the forthcoming ASEAN Summit.

Obusan began his career in dance with the Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Company, first as an instrumentalist, and then later as a dancer.

Obusan’s National Artist citation reads: “Ramon Arevalo Obusan, dancer, choreographer, stage designer and artistic director, has achieved phenomenal success in Philippine dance and cultural work. Also as researcher, archivist and documentary filmmaker, Obusan has broadened and deepened our understanding of our cultural life and expressions…. Through the ROFG, he has effected cultural and diplomatic exchanges utilizing the multifarious aspects and dimensions of the art of dance. Obusan’s obsession in harnessing the potentials of dance in Philippine society today is unparalleled as he unreservedly and incessantly creates a living reflection of ourselves, showing us who we are.”

Cultural Center of the Philippines President Nestor O. Jardin said, “The sudden demise of National Artist for Dance Ramon Obusan saddens us because he was a pillar in Philippine traditional dance. Ramon has worked very closely with us on many dance projects in the past and his death will create a void in Philippine dance. We join the countless young folk dancers, teachers and researchers he trained and worked with in mourning his passing away.”

Josie Guillen, head of the CCP Dance Division, said, “Ramon Obusan was a man and an artist of the masses. Everything he did was for the Filipino.”

Obusan’s remains will lie in state at his home in No. 4 Chapel Street, MIA Road, Pasay City.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines are currently preparing for a state funeral for Obusan. The Necrological Ceremony will be on December 28, 2006 – 9:00a.m. at the CCP Main Theater.

Artists, cultural workers, indigenous communities, art patrons, friends, colleagues and everyone else who have been touched and inspired by our dear Kuya Mon, please come and join us on December 28 in paying our last tribute to a great man and a great artist!

For more information about the necro. service, contact the CCP at 832-3669 / 832-3875 / 832-3877 / 832-5094.