Jake, Leo Ani honorees

MANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN Film Archives head Leo Katigbak and Jake Cuenca recently received their first Ani ng Dangal honors from the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) after the two brought honor to the country by winning in two different international award-giving bodies.

The ABS-CBN film restoration project, headed by Leo, was recognized for winning an Award of Excellence last year from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Gold Quill Awards held in Toronto, Canada.

He said, “Something like the Ani ng Dangal gives a spotlight to restoration. Having the recognition helps build the awareness… and it will inform the younger generations that this is what we do in film restoration. I hope they will develop interest to watch classic films.”

Jake, meanwhile, bagged an Ani ng Dangal honor for winning Best Actor in the 2014 International Film Festival Manhattan held in New York for his role in the indie film Mulat.

The Kapamilya hunk was very proud of the recognition given to him by NCCA that he invited his parents for the first time to attend an event.

“I dedicate this award to my parents. This is one of the biggest achievements that I have achieved in my life. This will serve as an added motivation for me to do better, strive better and act better. That’s why I studied in the States in the first place — to improve on my acting and share it with the people through my next projects,” Jake said.

NCCA’s Ani ng Dangal is a state recognition given to artists who have brought home international recognitions.