Filmmaker, 3 painters get Presidential Order of Merit

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo awarded on Saturday the Presidential Medal of Merit to to filmmaker Manuel Conde (posthumously) and renowned painters Arturo Malang Santos, Oscar Zalamea, and Federico Alcuaz. During the rites held at Malacanang’s Rizal Hall, the President also awarded trophies to the winners of the Digital Lokal and the World Cinema competitions, staged as part of the 8th Cinemanila International Film Festival. With the theme "Buhay na ang Global Pinoy Cinema" (Global Pinoy is Alive), the event was a tribute to the 15 filmmakers who made waves in international film festivals. Conde was cited for his lifetime contribution in bringing the country’s brand of cinema to the international entertainment sphere through his widely acclaimed "Genghis Khan" and for creating the social satire Juan Tamad series as well as folklore films such as Ibong Adarna. In recognition of his accomplishments in the visual arts bannered by his exhibitions in Europe, particularly in Paris, Zalameda was cited by the President for his lovely portrait of Madame Francoise Motterand and the Americas. In recognition of Zalamea’s artwork, the French government conferred on him the Chevalier des Arts it Tettes Awardas. Alcuaz was honored for his tapestries, figurative and abstract works, and landscapes. Malang Santos was cited for his visual arts as a cartoonist and for bringing art to the grassroots through his "Art for the Masses." Malang is also a recipient of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of the country, the Patnubay ng Sining Award, and numerous citations from art and civic organizations. Following are the winners in the Digital Lokal contest: • Best Short Film - Hopia Express by Janus Victoria of the Philippines • Best Documentary - Paper Dolls by Tomer Hermann of Israel • Ishmael Bernal Award for Young Cinema - The Ballad of Mimiongs by Jon Steffan Ballesteros • Best Actress - Maricel Soriano in Numbalikdiwa • Best Actor - Achie Adamos for Raket ni Nanay • Jury Prize - Khavn dela Cruz for Squatter Punk • Best Director - Brillante Mendoza for Manoro • Audience Favorite Awards - Bobby Bonifacio Jr. for Numbalikdiwa and Briccio Santos for Anino ng Setyembre Following are the winners In the World Cinema competition: • Best Actress - Lee Yeong Ae in Sympathy for Lady Vengeance • Best Actor - Adolf for the 9th Company, a Russian Film. • The Jury Prize - Stanley Kwan of Hong Kong for Everlasting Regret • Lino Brocka Award (Best Picture) Jeffrey Jeturian for Kubrador • Lifetime Achievement Awards - Aruna Vasudev of India and Philip Cheah of Singapore for their role in promoting Asian cinema Cinemanila is committed to help grow and fulfill the destiny of young Filipino filmmakers. Cinemanila is a joint initiative of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, Independent Cinema Association of the Philippines, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in cooperation with the Office of the President, the Department of Tourism, Cinema One, NU 107, TBWA, Manila Bulletin, Click the City, Bigfoot Entertainment, Yehey.com, Boysen, the Embassy of France, Ignite Media, Scenema Concepts Int’l. and Asus.