The "Diwa ng Lahi at Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan" awards will give recognition to Filipino artists who have dedicated their talents and skills to promote their respective fields of artistic endeavor.
In a statement, Mayor Lito Atienza said the late mayor Antonio Villegas started the awards in 1963. Three major awards will be conferred: the Diwa ng Lahi award, the Gat Antonio Villegas award, and the Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan awards.
The recipient of the Diwa ng Lahi award will be chosen from a field of past and present awardees in all categories.
The Gat Antonio Villegas award will be given to a Filipino artist who continues to honor the legacy of the late mayor in promoting Filipino arts and culture.
The Patnubay ng Sining awards has eight categories: architecture, sculpture, dance, theater, painting, music, new art form, literature and cinema.
To qualify, nominees must be living Filipino artists; artists who have distinguished themselves through research and preservation of culture and development of traditional art forms and who have pioneered in the development of their arts; artists who have created a significant body of work displayed in their art form; artists who have promoted the national culture identity and dignity of the Filipino people through their work; and artists who enjoy the popular acceptance and recognition of their peers’ and critics.
Last year’s winners were Francisco Manosa (Diwa ng Lahi award), writer Edith Tiempo (Gat Villegas award), and Dr. Ruth Elynia Mabanglo (Tanging Parangal award).
Winners in other categories include Ma. Cristina Valera-Turalba (architecture), Duddley Diaz (sculpture), Osias Barroso (dance), director Joel Lamangan (theater), Edgar Talusan Fernandez (painting), Herminigildo Ramero (music), Judy Sibayan (new art form), Mario Miclat (literature), and Boots Anson-Roa (cinema).
The names of nominees should be submitted to the Manila Tourism and Cultural Affairs Bureau. Interested parties may look for Arles Jimenez or call Ofelia Co at telephone number 525-4736. – Evelyn Macairan and Theo Agcaoili