Para sa Sining: 11 artists, 2 organizations receive CCP’s highest distinction

The Cultural Center of the Philippines on Thursday afternoon conferred its highest distinction on 11 artists and two organizations for their contributions to culture and the arts.

This year's Gawad CCP Para sa Sining awardees are:

• Paulo Alcazaren (Architecture)
• Fides Cuyugan Asensio (Music)
• Nora Aunor (Film and Broadcast Arts)
• Roberto Chabet + (Visual Arts)
• Leoncio Deriada (Literature)
• Ben Farrales (Fashion Design)
• Ricardo "Ricky" Lee (Literature)
• Antonio "Tony" Mabesa (Theater)
• Denisa Reyes (Dance)
• Armida Siguion-Reyna (Musical Theater and Film)
• Basilio Esteban Villaruz (Dance, Cultural Research)
• Talaandig School of Living Tradition (Culture)
• The Missionary Society of St. Columban (Tanging Parangal / Heritage Conservation)

 

Each awardee was honored with an audio-video presentation of their life and work before the Gawad CCP medallion was bestowed upon them. Each then gave a short acceptance speech and expressed their gratitude to CCP, loved ones, friends, colleagues, and other personalities who have helped them receive a Gawad CCP.

Alcarazen, who is an expert on urban design and landscape architecture and an advocate of environmental and heritage conservation, emphasized the importance of space in architecture.

"Our cities will collapse, as Metro Manila is doing now with the constant carmageddon, if there is no balance between development and open space," he said.

Datu Migketay Victorino Saway, the representative of the Bukidnon-based Talaandig School of Living Tradition, talked about the importance of preserving one's culture.

The Talaandig are one of the indigenous groups in the province of Bukidnon. The school teaches traditional Talaandig values and mythologies, dance techniques, and music for pre-school children on top of their basic education.

"Sa pagtakbo ng panahon, napag-isipan ko napakalaking hamon para bigyang buhay ang sariling kultura dahil walang alam nito at napakalakas ng impluwensya nanggagaling sa labas," Saway said. — BM, GMA News