In a stunning display of legislative brilliance, Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers has proposed a National Artist Award for none other than the maestro behind “Christmas In Our Hearts,” Jose Mari Chan. Clearly, Barbers believes that a single song, no matter how catchy, trumps the lifetime achievements of painters, writers, and filmmakers who have contributed significantly to Philippine culture.

Perhaps Barbers missed the memo that a National Artist is meant to embody the pinnacle of artistic excellence across various fields. Does he genuinely believe that Chan’s ability to make us jingle all the way during the holiday season surpasses the rich tapestry of artistic contributions from painters, writers, and filmmakers? Perhaps next, we’ll see proposals for National Nobel Prize Winners in the category of Festive Jingles.

One can’t help but wonder if the esteemed solon comprehends the concept of the National Artist Award or if he simply mistook it for the “Most Festive Tune on Repeat” trophy. 

May the halls of legislation continue to echo with the timeless melody of bureaucratic absurdity.