Ani ng Dangal: Filipino artists urged to continue creating, innovating

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino artists can rest assured that the government will create a “nurturing environment” that would see their talent “fully and finally bloom,” President Marcos said during the 16th Ani ng Dangal Awards.

“We know that art can only flourish under an atmosphere of freedom, and under Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines), this is something that we will guarantee,” Marcos said yesterday.

“As we honor our awardees today, I extend a heartfelt invitation to every artist across our nation: continue to create, to innovate, to excel. What you create are essential works that add to our gross national happiness. So please act on your dreams, believe in your talent, dare to break ground, tear down the walls that cage your creativity, hone your craft,” he added.

The awarding ceremony was held at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila.

In an interview on the sidelines of the ceremony, Marcos asserted that the government must take the lead in supporting the country’s artists.

“The culture of a country is the definition of its people,” he said.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the President honored 26 Filipino talents during the 16th Ani ng Dangal Awards, which capped the celebration of the National Arts Month.

The state recognition celebrates Filipino talents who won international awards in architecture and allied arts, cinema, dance, literary art, music and visual arts.

The awardee from architecture and allied arts is the LPPA Design Group/L.P. Pariñas & Associates.

Seven awardees were recognized for cinema.

They are Sam Manacsa, best director for “Cross My Heart and Hope to Die” at the 34th Singapore International Film Festival in 2023 and six films that won top awards in different film festivals, namely,“The River That Never Ends” directed by JT Trinidad, best Asian short film at the 34th Singapore International Film Festival in 2023; “HIT” directed by Stephen Lopez, Blencong Award at the 18th Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in 2023 and best film at the 20th Vienna Shorts-International Short Film Festival in Vienna, Australia in June 2023;

“Bold Eagle” directed by Whammy Alcazaren, best short film prize at the