The Philippine Online Chronicles

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) temporarily closed down its controversial “Kulo” art exhibit as a “preventive security measure.”

CCP Museum and Visual Arts' Virgie Lamoso told the Philippine Star that the management decided on this because “one of the exhibits had been vandalized.”

“As of 11:30 am today, we learned that a man and a woman, walked in the Main Gallery, and proceeded to vandalize some artworks in there,” said CCP Visual Arts in a statement dated August 4.

“CCP Security were not able to apprehend the vandals; only an illegible signature was left in the guest book,” it added, saying they are currently investigating the incident.

The closing of Kulo comes less than a week after some Catholic groups and bishops hit the CCP for allowing the 'sacrilegous and blasphemous” art exhibit by a group of 30 artists from the University of Santo Tomas. The exhibit was supposed to run until August 21.

The featured artworks include a crucifix with a wooden penis and a Christ the King figurine with rabbit ears, among others.

According to an Inquirer report, Ilocos Rep. Imelda Marcos, who has expressed displeasure over the exhibit, said that the CCP board agreed to close the exhibit after she interceded. Marcos earlier considered filing administrative charges against the CCP officials responsible for the exhibit.

“I think I was able to convince the CCP board. The majority of them had decided that they will withdraw and take out the exhibit. It should never happen again,” the former first lady said.

“It was a shameful exhibit, especially so since it was placed in the Cultural Center of the Philippines. We built that to be the sanctuary of the Filipino soul and a monument to the Filipino spirit,” Marcos said.

“In fact, even (former) President Marcos had (been depicted with) several penises. But this is the CCP, the sanctuary of the Filipino spirit and a monument of the Filipino soul. This is not at all right. This is ugly and, above all, a desecration of a sacred symbol,” she added.

Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing also called for the resignation of CCP chair Raul Sunico and other officials for allowing the art exhibit, arguing that the “CCP is supposed to promote the positive side of culture and arts. They did the exact opposite.”

Pro-Life Philippines president Eric Manalang said they will be pushing criminal charges against artist Mideo Cruz and the CCP officials.

“What we’ll do is have a dialogue with the CCP. Talk with CCP. Again, if nothing is being done, then we go to a higher office or a higher court. We will charge them,” Manalang stated.

'Highly offensive'

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales insisted, “This is highly offensive and not the act of a good man. It’s a shame that a Filipino did this. There are good works of artists but this is offensive and is disrespectful to God. There’s punishment for that. That is not artistic freedom.”

In a statement, CCP explained that "Due to numerous emails, text messages and other letters sent to various offficers of the CCP, and to the artists themselves, with an increasing number of threats to persons and property, the members of the Board of the Cultural Center of the Philippines have decided to close down the Main Gallery where the Kulo Exhibit is on display."

"This decision was made amidst controversy and deliberation by the Board as to what steps are necessary to avoid future similar incidents," the CCP added.

"The CCP shall continue to act as catalyst for free expression of Filipino artists. It thanks all those who have, in one way or another, contributed to the dialogue about art, and the different ways it affects society today," CCP said.