Philippines' best artists honored at 5th Ani ng Dangal

MANILA, Philippines - The National Commission on Culture and the Arts honored Filipinos in various artistic disciplines last night at the Cultural Center of the Philippines during the 5th Ani ng Dangal Awards, the culminating event of this year's National Arts Month.

Then President Corazon Aquino, via Presidential Decree 683, made the declaration in 1991 that February of every year is National Arts Month in the Philippines.

The Ani ng Dangal awardees are decided based on the Seven (7) Art Disciplines by the 7 Artistic Committees headed by NCCA Chairman Felipe de Leon, Jr. Included also is the Multi-Disciplinary Arts category.

As yesterday was also International Women's Day, De Leon, Jr. commented that last night's ceremony was quite befitting.

"Marami tayong kababaihan dito na nasa pinakamataas na bahagi ng sining from the one and only Superstar Ms. Nora Aunor to this generation's pop star princess Ms. Sarah Geronimo."

Aunor was honored for her contribution to cinema while Geronimo, named NCCA's Goodwill Ambassadress for Music recently, was honored under the Multi-Disciplinary Arts category.

"Maraming-maraming salamat po... isa lamang ako sa mga nauna at naging blessed na mapansin at mabigyan ng big break," Geronimo says.

The winners for each category are:

Architecture and Allied Arts
Arch. Abelardo Tolentino, Jr. Aidea Philippines, Inc.
Kenneth Cobonpue, “Cabaret Sofa”

Cinema
Adrian Sibal, “The Rivals”
Auraeus Solito, “Busong”
Brillante Mendoza, “Thy Womb”
Charles Andrew Flamiano , “Letting Go, Letting God”
Christopher Gozum, “Anacbuana”
Eduardo Roy, Jr., “Bahay Bata”
John Paul Su, “Pagpag”
Lav Diaz, “Florentinahubaldo, CTE”
Lawrence Fajardo, “Posas”
Marlon Rivera, “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank”
Brandon Relucio & Ivan Zaldarriaga, “Di Ingon ‘Nato”
Marty Syjuco, “Give Up Tomorrow”
Nora Aunor, “Thy Womb”
Shamaine Buencamino, “Niño”
Will Fredo, “The Caregiver”

Visual Arts
Engr. Jaime Sumugat Singlador
George Tapan
Jamia Mei Tolentino
Jamille Bianca Aguilar
Zohayma Montañer
Joel C. Forte
Jophel Ybiosa
Trisha Co Reyes

Dance
Candice Adea
Halili Cruz Dance Company
Irina Feleo (Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company)
Peter Laurent Callangan (Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company)
The Crew

Irina Feleo and Lloyd Callangan of the Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Competition

Dramatic Arts
Peter De Guzman, “The Romance of Magno Rubio”

Literary Arts
Romulo Baquiran, Jr.

Music
Arwin Tan
Baao Children Chorus
Edgardo “Ed” Lumbera Manguiat
Imusicapella
Joseleo Ciballos Logdat
Miriam College High School Glee Club
Muntinlupa Science High School Chorale
Novo Concertante Manila Choir
Samiweng Singers, Ilocos Norte National High School (INNHS)
University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors
UP Concert Chorus

Multi-Disciplinary Arts
BBDO Guerrero
Kara David, i-Witness GMA 7
Sarah Geronimo
Wansapanataym, ABS-CBN Corporation

"Promoting and developing the arts and cultural identity of a people inevitably advances their skills and potential for achievement and leads to all other developments," De Leon, Jr. says.