By Jocelyn Montemayor-Reyes
President Marcos Jr. on Wednesday committed his administration’s support for the continued promotion and enriching of the country’s arts and culture as he honored and recognized the contributions of 33 Filipino artists who earned international awards and accolades in their respective fields of art and entertainment.
The President, during the 15th Ani ng Dangal Awards of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), also urged Filipino artists to showcase the country’s culture and identity, as well as its rich artistry and cultural heritage.
“Makaaasa kayo na kaisa ninyo ang pamahalaan at administrasyong ito sa pagsusulong at pagpapayaman ng ating sining at kultura,” the President said, as he directed the NCCA to use all its available resources in supporting, training further development of the different artists in the country especially those with high “potentials in the arts.”
“Nagtitiwala ako na kung pauunlarin natin ang industriyang ito, higit tayong makatutulong sa paglago ng ating ekonomiya, at maiangat ang Pilipino saan mang dako ng daigdig (I believe that if we promote this industry, it would also contribute to economic development and in uplifting the Filipinos where they are),” he added.
The President, accompanied by First Lady Louise “Lisa” Marcos, recognized the contributions of the different artists and their original masterpieces as it highlights and promotes not just the arts and culture in the country but also in the world.
“Tunay na karapat-dapat lamang na pahalagahan ang itinuturing nating kayamanan ng ating lahi at kilalanin ang karangalang dala nito sa ating bayan,” he said.
He lauds the NCCA for holding the annual awarding rites and leading the preservation, development and promotion of Philippine arts and culture; and calls on the Agency to further support and cultivate the talents of budding Filipino artists and creators in their respective fields.
The Dangal ng Lahi awardees this year include: the Penthouse (Best Residential Interior Apartment); the Galleon Residences Showroom (Best Residential Show Home); Equilateral House (Winner for Innovative Architecture); and the Batangas Forest City (Best of the Best for Innovative Architecture) in the Architecture and Allied Arts category.
For Cinema, the awardees were Jeric Gonzales (Best Actor); Dolly De Leon (Best Supporting Performer); “‘Di N’yo Ba Naririnig” (Golden Kinabalu Award for Best Documentary): “The Flight of Banog” (Golden Kinabalu Award for Best Indigenous Language Film); Geraldo B. Jumawan (Best Actor); “Black Rainbow” (Best Short Film); Joaquin Ditan Domagoso (Best Actor); “The HeadHunter’s Daughter” (Grand Jury Prize); It’s Raining Frogs Outside (International Award); Days of the New (International Competition Grand Prix); “Leonor Will Never Die” (World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award).
For Dance, the awardees were Billy Crawford, ELECTRO GROOVERS, Halili-Cruz School of Ballet and Bayanihan while the awardees for Music include Ryle Custodio, Darwin J. Lomentigar, Rafael Adobas Bayog, Ily Matthew Maniano, Theodore Julius Chua Tan, Adrik Cristobal, Jeanne Rafaella Marquez, Far Eastern University Chorale, Michael Valenciano, and Danikka Dy.
Also awarded were Albert Reyes, Mariah Zamora, and Froiland Rivera for Visual Arts, while “A Thousand Cuts,” a film by Ramona Diaz, received honor as the Outstanding Social Issue Documentary.
