Marcos guarantees ‘nurturing environment’ for art to flourish

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.   (Photo from Bongbong Marcos’ Facebook page)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday guaranteed an atmosphere of freedom so that art could flourish under his administration. 

“Rest assured, your government in the Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines) will create a nurturing environment that will see your talent fully and finally bloom. We know that art can only flourish under an atmosphere of freedom, and under Bagong Pilipinas, this is something that we will guarantee,” said Marcos in his Ani ng Dangal (Harvest of Honor) 2024 speech at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila. 

Marcos congratulated the awardees, saying that they were able to bring honor to the country through their respective fields. 

“Those who act, dance, paint, sing, perform, sculpt, play, build also serve the flag because every time they step into the limelight, a powerful spotlight also shines on our country. Every applause that you draw from the audience wherever in the world is also an adulation for the land of your birth which is rich in artistry,” 

The Ani ng Dangal is a state award handed out by the NCAA to celebrate Filipino talents who garnered international recognition in architecture and allied arts, cinema, dance, literary arts, music and visual arts. 

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts awarded a total of 26 Filipino talents. 

Among the awardees was film director Sam Manacsa for “Cross my heart and hope to die”, which won the Best Director at the 34th Singapore International Film Festival in 2023. 

Dolly de Leon, Billy Crawford, Joaquin Domagoso, Jeric Gonzales among NCCA’s Ani ng Dangal awardees.