Kidlat Tahimik to give up National Artist medallion, perks in protest of CHED’s GE proposal

National Artist protests CHED plan, warns humanities may be sidelined as education shifts toward skills-driven curriculum.

Filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik (Eric de Guia) said he will surrender his National Artist medallion and give up the privileges that come with the title—in protest of the Commission on Higher Education’s plan to reduce general education units from 36 to a minimum of 18.

De Guia made the announcement during a gathering of young leaders participating in Baguio on June 16, according to community journalism outlet Mountain Beacon.

In a position paper addressed to CHED, he wrote, “As a protest, I am surrendering my prestigious medallion of the Order of National Artists and I will forgo my National Artist amenities.”

He described the move as a symbolic gesture meant to draw attention to what he called the diminishing role of culture, history, ethics, and the humanities in higher education.

De Guia also argued that current education reforms increasingly prioritize measurable skills and workforce competitiveness—and give less attention to cultural identity, ethical formation, history, and community values. He raised similar concerns about the rise of AI in the academe, calling on schools to foster critical thinking, cultural awareness, ethics, and civic responsibility.

Under CHED’s proposal, 15 units will be core subjects and three will be institutional subjects. Colleges may still expand GE offerings up to 36 units. In effect, the humanities—philosophy, ethics, literature, art appreciation, and history—will no longer stand as independent disciplines but be integrated into broader subjects.

It was originally set for implementation in 2017, but public clamor prompted CHED to move the plan to 2028.

De Guia, known as the “Father of Philippine Independent Cinema,” was named National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts in 2018. He’s recognized for pioneering Third Cinema, a movement that champions indigenous culture and critiques neocolonialism. His notable works include “Mababangong Bangungot,” “Turumba,” and “Who Invented the Yoyo? Who Invented the Moon Buggy?”

National Artists receive the following benefits:

• A gold-plated medallion crafted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
• ₱200,000 cash award for living awardees and ₱150,000 for posthumous recipients, net of tax
• ₱50,000 monthly lifetime stipend
• Up to ₱750,000 medical and hospitalization benefits per year
• Lifetime insurance coverage for insurable awardees
• State funeral and burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani
• Place of honor at national state functions and cultural events

READ: