The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) bestowed its highest honor to outstanding Filipino artists, film scholars, and advocates of film archiving and restoration at the second annual “Parangal ng Sining” held on April 19, 2024 at Seda Vertis North.
“Parangal ng Sining” (“Honor of the Arts”) gathered some of the most influential figures and stakeholders in the local film industry to celebrate Philippine cinema and its integral role in preserving the nation’s cultural history.
“The past is important in navigating the future,” stated FDCP Chairperson Jose Javier Reyes during his opening remarks. Recognizing the essential role of film in preserving Filipino culture, the FDCP conferred its highest honor to scholars of the arts, film archivists and preservationists, mentors who shaped generations of Filipino writers and filmmakers, and artists who embodied the essence of Philippine cinema at this year’s “Parangal ng Sining.”
Honorees of the Lifetime Achievement Award
A veteran actress and respected industry leader, Boots Anson-Rodrigo is celebrated for decades of public service as the former president and current chairperson of the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation, Inc. (MOWELFUND), where she provided health and welfare assistance to marginalized workers in the industry.
Fellow actress Agot Isidro presented the FDCP’s Lifetime Achievement Award to Anson-Rodrigo. In her acceptance speech, Anson-Rodrigo dedicated her award to the members of MOWELFUND for helping her uplift the indispensable workers of the Philippine film industry.
Dr. Nicanor Tiongson is a prolific writer and educator in the field of film scholarship and criticism. His invaluable cultural research and scholarly works on Philippine cinema, such as The Urian Anthology and The Cinema of Manuel Conde, fostered a deeper understanding and appreciation of Filipino films among generations of film students and enthusiasts.
He is a Professor Emeritus at the University of the Philippines (UP) Film Institute and one of the founding members of Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino and Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.
Cinemalaya Festival Director Chris Millado presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Tiongson. He expressed his gratitude to his family, the FDCP, and the reputable cultural organizations he co-founded.
A film scholar and historian who published crucial works in Philippine cinema and wrote the screenplays of canonical Filipino films such as Lino Brocka’s “Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag” and Mike De Leon’s “Kisapmata,” Dr. Clodualdo “Doy” del Mundo, Jr. is conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award by the FDCP for his outstanding contributions to the Philippine film industry.
UP Film Institute professor Patrick Campos presented the award for Dr. Del Mundo, who thanked Filipino filmmakers and artists who were instrumental in his career as a filmmaker and screenwriter.
Armando “Bing” Lao is an award-winning filmmaker and screenwriter who has written the screenplays of Chito Roño’s “Itanong mo sa Buwan,” Jeffrey Jeturian’s “Kubrador,” and Brillante Mendoza’s films “Kinatay” and “Serbis.” He founded the influential “Found Story” workshops and served as a mentor to Filipino filmmakers who are continuing his legacy in the film industry.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by Jeffrey Jeturian and received by Lao’s former student Honee Alipio, who expressed her gratitude to Lao’s decades of invaluable mentorship and artistry which inspired new generations of Filipino filmmakers.
The Society of Filipino Archivists for Film (SOFIA) is an organization that remains steadfast on preserving the nation’s film heritage and creating a sustainable repository of audiovisual works that contain the cultural history of Filipinos.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by UP Film Institute professor Dr. Roland Tolentino and received by Rose Roque and Ricky Orellana. In her acceptance speech, Roque acknowledged the founding members of SOFIA and partner institutions that share the organization’s mission to preserve the country’s audiovisual heritage.
The ABS-CBN Film Restoration is well-known for restoring canonical works in Philippine cinema such as Ishmael Bernal’s “Himala” and Peque Gallaga’s “Oro, Plata, Mata.” It has successfully restored hundreds of Filipino films and continues to reintroduce classic works to new generations of Filipino audiences.
Presented by National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee, the Lifetime Achievement Award was received by ABS-CBN Film Restoration Head Leo Katigbak. He expressed his gratitude to people who supported Sagip Pelikula’s advocacy and film restoration initiatives, including Charo Santos-Concio who also attended the awarding ceremony in support of Sagip Pelikula.
Lauded as the “Queen of Philippine Cinema,” celebrated veteran actress Gloria Romero starred in notable classic films “Dalagang Ilocana,” “Cofradia,” “Magnifico,” and “Tanging Yaman” and remains one of the most iconic figures in the Philippine film industry.
Actress and TV host Amy Perez presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Romero, who was represented by fellow actor and host Butch Francisco. Francisco named Romero as the “greatest movie queen of all time” who continues to inspire generations of Filipino actors due to her undeniable talent and professionalism.
Posthumous Award for Teddy Co
The FDCP conferred the Posthumous Award to film curator and archivist Teddy Co, who championed the growth of national cinema and advocated for wider visibility of regional films through Cinema Rehiyon, a flagship project of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
Butch Ibañez, head of the NCCA National Committee on Cinema, presented the Posthumous Award for Teddy Co. He was represented by his sister Sherbie Co, who paid tribute to his love for Filipino films and his numerous contributions to the development and preservation of Philippine cinema.
Honorary Distinction for Jaclyn Jose
The late actress Jaclyn Jose received the FDCP’s Honorary Distinction for her versatility as an actress and for being an indisputable icon in the Philippine film industry. Jose cemented her legacy in both mainstream and independent cinema and distinguished herself as the only Filipina actress to win the prestigious Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress.
Chairman Reyes presented the Honorary Distinction to Jose, who was represented by her daughter Andi Eigenmann. Eigenmann expressed her heartfelt gratitude and admiration for her mother who left an indelible mark in the Philippine film industry.
In Memoriam
“Parangal ng Sining” also paid tribute to late Filipino artists, filmmakers, and cultural workers who made significant contributions to Philippine arts and popular culture.
Through this special tribute, the FDCP honored their memory and continuing legacy in the Philippine entertainment industry.
“Parangal ng Sining” was hosted by actor Alden Richards and featured musical performances from notable singers 92AD, Lara Maigue, Gian Magdangal, Aicelle Santos-Zambrano, and Bituin Escalante.
