CCP closes blasphemous exhibit

The CCP closed the exhibit opposed by the catholic church.  This is a sad day for artistic expression although I would not call CCP's action censorship inasmuch as it was done voluntarily.  Yes, there were threats of violence, yes, the President himself called them to state his displeasure with the exhibit.  But state coercion was not used. 

Of course informal channels have been used in the Philippines since time immemorial to silence expression they do not like but I find this positive in the sense that the establishment does understand that any overt coercion in closing the exhibit will harm the image of the Philippines as a country that values freedom.