Gawad CCP conferment: Mirror of PH arts and culture’s vibrance and diversity

The conferment ceremony of the Gawad CCP Para Sa Sining last September 8 was a milestone celebration not only of the achievements of the awardees, which have helped define and concretize the culture of the Philippines, indeed a people’s soul. It was a celebration that also mirrored the vibrancy of Philippine arts and culture, its diversity and even polarization.

The speeches of the 2024 awardees, of the CCP officials led by CCP chairman Dr. Jaime C. Laya, and of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. read by his sister, Irene Marcos-Araneta, herself an active advocate of Philippine culture, especially music, reflected the vast spectrum—with all its complexities—that has come to represent the arts and culture in recent decades. The presidential speech underscored the role played by the creative sector in nation building—how last year alone it contributed 1.7 trillion to the economy. Foremost writer Jose “Pete” Lacaba, accepting his award, reiterated the protest against dictatorship, recalled the death of his younger brother, the poet Eman, in the hands of the military during martial law, and the vow “Never again. Never forget.”

That both ends of the political spectrum, the wide range of musical and artistic genres, co-existed in a single platform that evening could happen only in an environment that’s free, torn in conflict but free nonetheless. And the arts remains the bastion of such freedom.

The awardees are Generoso “Gener” Caringal (Dance), Jose “Joey” Ayala (Music), Lea Salonga (Theater), Jose “Pete” Lacaba, Jr. (Literature), Mike de Leon (Film, but he declined the award), the late Mario O’Hara (Film), Gino Gonzales (Design and Allied Arts), Julie Lluch (Visual Arts), Loboc Children’s Choir (Regional Arts), Marilyn Gamboa (Cultural Work), the late Oscar Yatco (Tanging Pagkilala), the late Sen. Edgardo Angara (Tanging Parangal), Zenaida “Nedy” R. Tantoco (Tanging Parangal).

Performances were by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the Alice Reyes Dance Philippines, the Loboc Children’s Choir, the Ateneo Chamber Singers, and Ross Pasigan, Rissey Reyes-Robinson, Poppert Bernadas, Shaira Opsimar, Monica Gana, Glenn Aquias, The Nightingales, Bayang Barrios, Naliyagan, Benedict Magboo, David Ezra, Floyd Tena.

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Excerpts from some of the speeches:

Irene Marcos-Araneta, representing President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.:

Magandang gabi po sa inyong lahat.

As we come together to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and to confer the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining, I am reminded of the many unforgettable moments that have unfolded through its legacy.

Proudly positioned along the stretch of Roxas Boulevard and designed by a national luminary, architect Leandro Locsin, the CCP has been more than just a stage.

In 1969, when the CCP was born, we were a country brimming with potential. The world was paying attention, and so were we—trying to figure out how to make our mark.

And that is where the CCP came in: a place where we could explore our identity as a nation and, through art and culture, find our place in the world.

And it still is. Fifty-five years later, the CCP stands as a living testament to that ambition—to capture the Filipino spirit in all its complexities.

Yet, being Filipino is no easy thing to define. Our culture is dynamic. We are constantly evolving, and the CCP has been a witness to that evolution.

More than that, it has challenged us to go beyond what we know and stretch the limits of our imagination. Every performance, every artwork, every creative endeavor here is not just a reflection of who we are, but a glimpse of what we could be.

Our art, our culture, is not just about nostalgia or history. It is about actively creating the future. It is about shaping a narrative that we get to define, one that says, “This is us, but also—this is what we’re capable of.”

Beyond art for art’s sake, this institution has quietly fueled a creative economy that shapes the very fabric of our nation.

What begins within these walls does not just stay here—it ripples outward, inspiring industries, reshaping our identity, and reminding us that creativity is not just an expression; it is a force for change.

Just last year, our creative industries contributed more than one point seven (1.72) trillion pesos to our economy. That’s an undeniable testament to the power of our creativity—not just as an expression of our culture but as a driver of growth and opportunity for millions of Filipinos.

And speaking of the future, you have noticed the ongoing renovation of the CCP. I know, for many of us, this building holds a lot of memories.

But this renovation is not just about sprucing up an iconic structure, but about making sure it remains a home for Filipino creativity, a place where future generations can ask the same questions we have been asking for more than five decades, and maybe even come up with new answers.

The future is ours to make, waiting for us to exceed expectations, test limits, and keep asking the tough questions. And the answers? They will not be found in standing still, but in the stories we have yet to write, the art we have yet to create, and the dreams we have yet to turn into reality.

We define what comes next. Through our creativity, courage, and unrelenting pursuit of excellence, we carve out a Bagong Pilipinas where the greatness of the Filipino spirit is not just imagined but achieved.

Ganyan tayo bilang mga Pilipino. We may stumble, we may question, but in the end, we stand. We create. We move forward, sometimes against the odds, sometimes in ways no one expects. And always, we do so with the belief that the best of what we are—of who we are—is still yet to come.

Julie Lluch:

With all my heart, I thank the Cultural Center of the Philippines and its  honorable board of trustees, for deeming me worthy of this astounding award, and for recognizing the significant contribution  of my work to Philippine art and life.

If there is anything that beclouds my feelings tonight, it is the thought of my most esteemed colleagues, great artists in the visual arts who may well be standing here before you, instead of me.

And I cannot accept this honor other than with deepest humility and gratitude.

I convey my happiest and most sincere congratulations to my fellow awardees. I am absolutely proud to share the honor with you.

I thank my beautiful family and faithful friends for their unwavering trust. I love you guys to the moon and back!

The thing about this award that causes me some unease is the likelihood that I may spend the rest of my artistic life trying to justify it to myself!

Levity aside, the CCP Gawad should spur me on—not to greater heights, but to lower depths that every artist needs to plumb or descend to and touch the festering wounds of suffering humanity.

Finally, I pray that I may be as Clay in the Potter’s Hands—inconsequential of itself, but in the gentle grasp of the Maker, will be transformed into a pure vessel of beauty, to be used serviceably in the sacred altars of the Lord.

Jose F. Lacaba:

Salamat sa CCP sa Gawad na ito.  Pagpugay sa kapwa honorees. Inaalay ko ang Gawad na ito sa mga kapwa artista at peryodista, lalo ang mga kaibigan na pumanaw na, tulad nina Nick Joaquin, Bien Lumbera, Rolando Tinio, at Lino Brocka, at Ishma Bernal.

Sa panahong ito na patuloy ang EJK, Red-tagging, pagpapakulong at pag disappear ng mga aktibista, anakpawis, environmentalists, katutubo, artista, at peryodista, para sa akin, paalala ang Gawad na ito na kailangan nating magpatuloy sa pakikibaka tungo sa demokrasya, kalayaan at katarungang panlipunan. Pinapaliguan ng pabango ang malalansang mga programa ng diktador Marcos at ibinabalik ang palpak ng mga programa gaya ng Masagana ’99 na lalong nagpahirap sa magsasaka, at binabaluktot ng kasaysayan para sa ating kabataan.

Nagkataong bukas ang anibersaryo ng deklarasyon ng batas military—ang panahong humubog sa aking kamalayan at panulat. Ginugunita ko ngayon ang aking pinaslang na kapatid na si Eman Lacaba, isang makatang isinabuhay ang pinakamatayog na responsibilidad ng manunulat at guro. Kaya naman, nanawagan ako sa kapwa mga alagad ng sining na magsalita, makialam, at makibaka. Tandaan natin ang aral ng kasaysayan at makibaka para sa kinabukasan. Never again. Never forget.

Alma Fernando Taldo, founder and principal conductor of Loboc Children’s Choir:

Minamahal naming mga opisyal, kawani, at kaibigan ng Sentrong Pangkultura ng Pilipinas, mga kagalang-galang na katuwang mula sa lahat ng pambansang ahensiyang pang-kultura sa ilalim ng Pambansang Komisyon sa Kultura at Sining, sa ating mga kapwa-ginawaran at mga kasamahan mula sa sektor ng sining at pamana ng ating bansa, isang pinagpalang gabi po sa inyong lahat.

Ngayong gabi, habang ako’y nakatayo sa inyong harapan, ang aking puso ay puno ng pasasalamat, galak, at pagmamahal. Sapagkat pinagkalooban tayo ng Diyos ng isa sa pinakamagandang bagay na nangyari sa Loboc Children’s Choir simula nang magsimula ang aming paglalakbay apatnapu’t apat na taon na ang nakalilipas.

Hindi sumagi sa aming isipan na ang ginagawa ng choir ay makakatawag ng pansin sa mga eksperto sa kultura at sining at dahil dito ay pagkakalooban kami ng Cultural Center of the Philippines ng Gawad sa Sining 2024. Ang Loboc Children’s Choir ay nagsimula bilang isang simpleng choir ng mga bata at para sa mga bata… sa isang maliit at liblib na bayan ng Loboc sa lalawigan ng Bohol. Ang tanging pangarap namin noon ay umawit nang buong husay para sa mga lokal na tagapakinig at komunidad.

Nguni’t may iba palang plano ang Diyos para sa amin… Dumating ang NAMCYA at nagbukas ng daan para maipakita ng choir ang kanilang husay sa rehiyonal at pambansang antas. Lubos kaming nagpapasalamat sa NAMCYA sa pagbibigay sa amin ng pagkakataong mas masanay at gumaling pa at magkaroon ng sapat na lakas ng loob upang magtanghal sa pandaigdigang entablado.

Ang aming mga bata ay nagmula sa mga simpleng pamilya sa aming komunidad, kaya sino ang mag-aakala na balang araw kami ay maglalakbay sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa at ng mundo upang umawit sa mga tao ng iba’t ibang lahi at pinagmulan, at siyempre, umawit din sa mga bilangguan, ospital, tahanan para sa mga matatanda, bilang bahagi ng iba’t ibang outreach programs.

At ngayon, nais naming pasalamatan ang CCP, ang Sentrong Pangkultura ng Pilipinas sa hindi inaasahang pagkilalang ito. Punong-puno po ang puso namin ng galak at kami po’y nagpapasalamat na maging bahagi ng okasyong ito kasama ng maraming karapat-dapat na mga artista at malikhaing mga Filipino. Ang Gawad sa Sining ng CCP na ito ay magtutulak sa amin na gumawa pa ng higit para sa ating bansa at mga kababayan, lalo na sa larangan ng sining at kultura. Muli, maraming salamat. Isang pinagpalang gabi sa ating lahat. Daghang Salamat.

Antong Huang for  Zenaida “Nedy” Tantoco:

It is with deep sense of gratitude and admittedly a heavy heart that I stand before you on behalf of my family present here this evening to accept this prestigious Gawad CCP Para Sa Sining award on behalf of my beloved mother, Zenaida Tantoco. Though she is no longer with us, her passion for the arts, and her unwavering dedication to preserving our cultural heritage, continue to resonate in the lives she touched.

This recognition is more than just an acknowledgment of her work—it is a celebration of her spirit, her vision, and her love for the beauty of Filipino art and culture. She believed that the arts had the power to transcend time, to speak to the soul, and to unite us all. And tonight, as we honor her memory, I am reminded of how much she gave to ensure that this legacy would endure.

To the Cultural Center of the Philippines, thank you for this profound honor. It means the world to our family to know that my mother’s work continues to inspire and live on through the countless artists and cultural workers she supported throughout her life. 

Generoso “Gener” Caringal:

As I humbly accept this award, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Cultural Center of the Philippines. I am deeply honored and humbled to stand before you today to accept this prestigious award. To be honest, it is hard not to be moved by an award like this. My art has always been a personal creation that I wanted to share with my audience. It has always been my liberating way of expressing my thoughts, my appreciation for life, and my beliefs. Appreciation for my art has always been gratifying enough. For an institution like the CCP to recognize the purpose at the core of my pieces makes me feel understood. I can only speak for myself, but it feels wonderful for an artist to be seen, understood, and today, recognized. This award tells me that my art mattered to those who received it. My dances, with no words, spoke volumes about what is truly inside my heart—a deep love for our country and the art of dance.

This recognition is not just a validation of my hard work and dedication but also a testament to the support and encouragement I have received from my colleagues, mentors, and loved ones. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been a part of this incredible journey. Your belief in me, guidance, and unwavering support have been instrumental in shaping me into the person I am today.

 I also share this honor with the many geniuses who have crossed my path. Just knowing all of you has fueled my creativity and made my work all the more richer.

To my usual collaborators, you know who you are. Your music and your art friendship will forever stay close to my heart.

To the many companies that have staged my works and kept them relevant, thank you for respecting my vision. I’d like to give special mention to Alice Reyes Dance Philippines, Philippine Ballet Theatre, and the University of the East. Thank you for protecting my pieces and sharing them with generations of dancers.

This incredible honor has inspired me to continue creating works because truly, art has power. Sisikapin kong maging isang tunay na manlilikha ng sining. Dadalhin ko sa bagong kabanata ng aking buhay ang mga hiram na salita galing kay Andres Bonifacio: “Aling pag-ibig pa ang hihigit kaya sa pagkadalisay at pagkadakila gaya ng pag-ibig sa tinubuang lupa? Alin pag-ibig pa? Wala na nga, wala.” Nais kong ituloy ang nasimulan with this as my guide. I look forward to more opportunities to love my art, my audience, and my country.

Jose “Joey” Ayala:

Napakatingkad na karangalan ang mabilang sa mga mandiriwang nakapag-ambag sa paglinang ng sining at kultura dito sa ating bayan.

Di masukat ang pasasalamat namin sa Sentrong Pangkultura ng Pilipinas di lamang sa parangal na ito, kundi, higit pa, sa mga makulay at makabuluhang mga karanasan na nadaanan ng Joey Ayala at ang Bagong Lumad sa piling ng Outreach and Exchange Program ng CCP.

Halimbawa: Isang gabi, katatapos lamang ng konsiyerto namin sa Dumaguete, nag-e-empake pa kami ay sumisilbato na yung ferry boat. Kami na lang ang hinihintay. Syento-beinte, karipas tungong pier. Maalala kong nasa ibabaw kami ng trak, umiiwas-iwas pa sa mga linya ng kuryente. Pagdating sa pier, puno ng kalabaw ang storage area. No choice, pinatong namin ang mga crate ng gamit—mga instrumento, ilaw, kable, at iba pa, sa ibabaw ng mga kalabaw, sabay hatak para maisakay sa ferry boat. Ungol ang mga kalabaw, at nagkasugat pa ang ilan. Kaya, nais ko ring pasalamatan ang mga kalabaw.

Mga apat na dekada na po kaming lumilikha at nagpe-perform at napakaraming musiko na rin ang naging kasama sa banda at sa ibat-ibang proyekto. Di po kami nabuhay bilang artist nang ganitong katagal kung wala yung jumpstart energy na dumaloy mula sa Sentrong Pangkultura ng Pilipinas. Mabuhay ang CCP!

Marami po kaming makikisalo sa karangalang ito, at narito ang aking kahating-buhay, my first band-mate, si Jessie… siyang katig ng aming balanghai. Conjugal property ang karangalan!

Sa pagtanggap namin nitong karangalan, tinatanggap din namin ang hamon na ipagpatuloy ang pagpayaman ng sining at kultura sa ating mahal na bayan.

Gino Gonzales:

Taos pusong pasasalamat sa Sentrong Pangkultura ng Pilipipinas para sa parangal na ito.

One hour is not enough to recognize everyone, who have worked with me all these years.  I promise to write a lengthier letter to thank all of you.

But for my one minute of fame tonight, I wish to honor a few, who have been intrinsic in my growth and work as a designer…

My teachers at the Ateneo de Manila: the late Ricky Abad, Doreen Fernandez, and National Artist Salvador Bernal… Sir Badong taught me by example, he became my role model and mentor… the person responsible for recognizing my potential as a designer. He also paved the way for many others to follow in his path.

Friends, who were bound by a shared experience as Badong’s former apprentices: Eric Cruz —I could not think of a better person to pass on the role of Ternocon’s artistic director.  Rafael del Casal, you are the last of your kind… and it’s my hope that the country would be more appreciative of your contributions. The late Toto Sicangco—aside from the ability to embrace the baroque and borloloy, you also taught me the art of being mataray.

My fairy godmothers: Josie Natori, whose generosity made it possible for me to pursue further studies in New York. The late Gilda Cordero-Fernando, who took me into her fold of creatives and showed me how to appreciate all things Filipino…. Ben Chan and all the people who make up Ternocon, I cannot thank you enough for the trust and unwavering commitment to promote the terno, and ultimately, love for country.

The lighting designers, who have given life to my sets and costumes, most especially the obsessive Shoko Matsumoto, and the erudite Monino Duque—two constant collaborators who truly understand and respect my design language. My hope is that young, dedicated, and intelligent designers will rise in your stead.

My “frenemies” … the production managers who control the miniscule budgets: especially Lalyn Samson of Tanghalang Pilipino and the late Dodo Lim of Ballet Philippines, Rep, and Actors’ Actors.

The Theater Directors: especially Alex Cortes, whose opera, Spoliarium,  and play, Hakbang sa Hakbang, earned two prestigious World Stage Design awards. Nonon Padilla, who gave me my very first break back in 1996. I really believe that you are still the country’s greatest living theater director.

The men, who worked behind the scenes:  Mang Roger of Tanghalang Pilipino, the late Mang Ago of Ballet Philippines, Adul Lasin of Repertory Philippines, Erlin Arcega of the PDC, the legendary Mang Jo Tecson, … and most especially Junior Galvero, a dedicated draftsman, model maker, scenic painter, and problem solver.

The industrious women, who built the costumes: the late Tita Mila and Nanay Vicky of Tanghalang Pilipino, Ate Terry of Ballet Philippines. The stragglers from Sir Badong’s era: Tita Leena and Manang Lita…  And most especially Marieta Arcega—who acquainted me with all the non-glamorous work that goes behind the production of costumes. You taught me dignity of labor.

My STUDIO 1 team—from past and present. I thank you all for the talent, dedication, and loyalty that you have given all these years. I will not be standing here today without all your contributions.  Para sa ating lahat ang parangal na ito.

 And to my family… for all the constant support, and for keeping me grounded in Faith…

Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat.  

 

Denise O’Hara for Mario O’Hara:

On behalf of my entire family—Heber, Dad, Mom, and Ms. Ellen Espejo—we would like to thank The Gawad CCP Para sa Sining for choosing my tito, Mario O’Hara, as one of its recipients in Film and Broadcast Arts, particularly for his work as a director, an actor, and a writer.

It is with great pride that we accept this award for our tito who has dedicated his life in telling stories that have enriched the minds not just of audiences from his generation but future generations as well. And we are grateful to those who have opened their hearts and their minds to the stories he told so courageously. Because while he may be known for his humility and his openness, tito is also a challenger. His stories challenged norms and stereotypes that have existed for so long, his characters leaping off the pages of his script and transformed as human beings, naked in their vulnerability and strength, his narratives devoid of any emotional manipulation as he presents simply and yet with so much clarity the human condition. For whatever hat he was wearing—writer, director, actor—he makes sure to present us with the truth.

I remember when I very young and seeking advice for my own story telling. I approached him and after throwing some ideas around he left me with a simple reminder, he said, so long as you are standing on the foundation of truth, you have nothing to fear. Such is his respect for truth that he has made it into a tenet of his work, and this is what I admire most about him. And I am not alone in my admiration for he is and will always be an inspiration to budding filmmaker, writers, and actors who have seen his stories. This award will hopefully bring a new interest in his work from this generation because now more than ever, we need truths.

Anna Angara for Sen. Edgardo Angara

First and foremost, I extend my deepest gratitude to the Cultural Center of the Philippines for honoring our father with this esteemed award in the field of Arts— a field that was very close to his heart.

My father, as many of you know, wore many hats throughout his remarkable life. He served as Senate President, President of the University of the Philippines, lawyer, banker, diplomat, and farmer. But beyond these roles, he was a dedicated patron of culture and the arts. 

However, I believe the true highlight of his career was his tireless dedication to passing laws that profoundly impacted every Filipino family. 

He is remembered as the architect behind key legislation that established TESDA, CHED, and the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE)—laws that ensured education was accessible to all Filipinos, giving everyone a fair chance to succeed. His work also led to the passage of important measures like the Kindergarten Education Act, the Enhanced Basic Education Act, and the Free High School Act.

In addition to championing education, he authored the laws that provided the senior citizens’ discount, the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, and the Early Years Act—laws that offered equal opportunities for young children to grow and learn from an early age.

My father was deeply passionate about education, and I know he would be proud to see his legacy continue through my brother Sonny, who now leads the Department of Education. This is a testament to his enduring vision for the Filipino youth.

There is no doubt that my father would be deeply honored to receive the Gawad  CCP Para sa Sining Award, as his love for the arts ran deep throughout his life.

He was known for his vast collection of antiquarian maps, books, paintings, and sculptures, and was a vocal advocate for the creation of a Department of Culture. He also authored the law that established the National Museum and secured its rightful place when it was still searching for a permanent home. His efforts were instrumental in passing the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Charter, as well as organizing the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino.

His dedication to preserving Philippine cultural heritage was unwavering, as evidenced by his work on the National Cultural Heritage Act. This law ensures the protection of cultural sites, monuments, shrines, and landmarks across the country. It also paved the way for the creation of Sentro Rizal, which serves as a repository of Filipino heritage abroad.

My father’s contributions extended to the establishment of the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan, a program that recognizes the outstanding craftsmanship of Filipino artisans and folk artists.

In 2012, he spearheaded the creation of an Artists’ Village in our hometown of Baler, Aurora—envisioning it as a haven for artists across various disciplines to thrive in an inspiring environment.

I sincerely hope that this posthumous recognition, alongside my father’s lifelong dedication, ignites a renewed passion for the arts and culture among the younger generation of Filipinos. He believed deeply that culture not only reflects our values and beliefs but also shapes our aspirations, serving as the foundation of our national identity. It is a heritage we must continue to protect and nurture.

Marilyn Gamboa:

I am awed that I have been singled out for such an honor from no other more prestigious institution as the Cultural Center of the Philipines. It is an honor and a privilege. However, I am obliged to give deserved accolades to many valued generous and hard-working people because  the fact is, without them, this achievement would not have come to fruition. It is the result of the passion and drive of many whom I am in debted to for allowing me the opportunity to share my insights and efforts in our shared desire to promote Philippine culture and arts.

These efforts that have now culminated in this award, is dedicated to the true inspiration behind our hard work – the wonderful people of Negros Occidental who I hope will have our traditions in art and culture embedded in their hearts and worn with pride.

I am hard-pressed in thinking of how to express my supreme gratitude to the person who has not wavered in her support of our endeavors. Cristina Montelibano is, has, and i hope will always be “the wind beneath my wings” throughout this journey.

To our staff at the Negros Museum who have relentlessly shed blood, sweat, and tears even when rewarded only modestly, I take off my hat. You more than deserve my admiration and congratulations as you were always the pleasantly-mannered force that formed the backbone of our efforts. To our Executive Director Tanya Lopez, your selfless dedication to our efforts was an invaluable element that made all possible for us. You are certainly an indispensable ingredient in this recipe.

Our government leaders in both the local and national levels were also of supreme blessing as their unrelentless support has inspired us as well as fueled us to never cease in this most noble of quests.

Mabuhay Negros Occidental….Mabuhay mga kauturang Negrense….Inyo ini.