MANILA, PHILIPPINES — As the highest award given by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) to artists or groups who enrich the development of their craft, the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining is a significant recognition which speaks to the value of the awardees’ bodies of work.
In coincidence with the 55th Anniversary Gala of the CCP on September 20, 12 individuals and groups were conferred the award. These encompass disciplines of dance, music, theater, literature, film, and artmaking.
Art has always been gratifying enough
Sponsor
Among the awardees is Generoso “Gener” Caringal for his choreographic works that integrate ballet, modern dance, and folk dance.
He said, “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 thought, my appreciation in life, and my belief that art has always been gratifying enough.”
Collaboration and support for artists
Gawad CCP awardee for Theater Lea Salonga said “A career like mine would not be possible without a village,” before paying respect to those who build her village: the musical directors, directors, mentors, collaborators, and actors in every role they have played.
In the same breadth, Gino Gonzales was awarded the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining sa Disenyo at mga Kaugnay na Sining. In his acceptance speech, he honored those who have played vital roles in his growth as a designer on stage and his promotion of the Philippine Terno: the lighting designers who have given life to his sets and costumes, collaborators who understood his design language, production managers, theater directors, the men behind the scenes (stagehands, draftsmen, model makers, scenic painters, and problem solvers), and the women who built the costumes, of which he said, “You taught me the dignity of labor.”
For his works as a composer, songwriter, and singer, Jose Iñigo Homer “Joey” Ayala was awarded the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining sa Musika. Aside from previously chairing the music committee of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, his use of indigenous musical instruments in his works is also noteworthy. His band, Joey Ayala at ang Bagong Lumad, is a regular part of the CCP’s outreach and exchange program.
“Hindi po kami nabuhay nang ganitong katagal bilang artist kung hindi dahil sa jumpstart energy na dumaloy mula sa Sentrong Pangkultura ng Pilipinas… Maraming salamat po sa pansin, sa tulong, at sa pakikipagtulungan pang parating.”
(We would not have survived this long as artists if it wasn’t for the jumpstart energy that flows from the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Thank you very much for the attention, the support, and the collaboration that will continue to come.)
In pursuit of truth
In his novel “1984,” George Orwell wrote, “The past was erased, the erasure was forgotten, the lie became truth.” This was a recurring theme throughout the night as the awardees put an emphasis on the bedrock of their craft.
For his works in literature, Jose “Pete” Lacaba was conferred the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining sa Panitikan. His poems, essays, and scripts contributed to the development of modern Philippine literature.
He dedicated his award to the artists, journalists, and comrades that have passed on before him. He also paid homage to his brother, poet Emmanuel Lacaba, who was killed during former President Ferdinand Marcos’ regime.
“Sa panahong ito na patuloy ang EJK, red-tagging, pagpapakulong at pag-disappear ng mga aktibista, anak-pawis, environmentalist, 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.”
(In these times when extra-judicial killings, red-tagging, and imprisonment and disappearance of activists, labor leaders, environmentalists, indigenous people, artists, and journalists continue, for me, this award is a reminder that we need to persist in the fight towards democracy, freedom, and social justice.)
He also directed attention to the current political climate with the imploration to never forget history and its hard-earned lessons.
“Pinapaliguan ng pabango ang malalansang mga programa ng diktador Marcos at binabalik ang mga palpak na mga programa ‘gaya ng Masagana ’99 na lalong nagpahirap sa magsasaka at binabaluktot ng kasaysayan para sa ating kabataan… Kaya naman nananawagan ako sa mga kapwa alagad ng sining na magsalita, makiaalam, at makibaka. Tandaan natin ang aral ng kasaysayan at makibaka para sa kinabukasan. Never again, never forget.”
(The stench of the programs of the late dictator Marcos, such as the Masagana ’99 which further impoverished our farmers, are being masked with perfume and history is being twisted for the youth. This is why I am calling on my fellow artists to speak up, intervene, and fight back. Let us remember our history’s lessons and soldier on for the future. Never again, never forget.)
Pete was most notable for writing Prometheus Unbound, an acrostic poem that made it past media censorship during the Marcos regime, and his coverage of the First Quarter Storm. Pete was also a political detainee during Martial Law.
In Denise O’Hara’s speech on behalf of Mario O’Hara who was posthumously awarded for his contributions to the film and broadcast industry as a director, actor, and writer, she said that the latter advised her about storytelling: “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,” added Denise. Mario’s works include the screenplays for Lino Brocka’s Insiang, and Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang. He also directed Babae sa Breakwater and his last film and Cinemalaya entry The Trial of Andres Bonifacio.
Along with Mario was director Miguel “Mike” de Leon, who was cited for his contributions in filmmaking. Mike declined the award.
In service of the country
Loboc Children’s Choir was also awarded in Category B for their performances that promote and show the significance of using and preserving local heritage. The Category C recipient was Marilyn Gamboa for her administration contributions in the cultural institutions and programs in Negros Occidental.
Senator Edgardo J. Angara and Zenaida “Nedy” R. Tantoco were also given Tanging Parangal ng CCP posthumously. The senator was known for being an advocate and patron of Philippine culture and the arts, while Nedy’s support was evidenced by her philanthropic works that have greatly benefited the CCP, its resident companies, and its employees.
While they received the recognition with much gratitude and modesty, the night’s awardees stood to the challenge of furthering their creations into relevance and ultimately lifting the nation.
“This award tells me that my art matters to those who receive 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,” said Gener.
“Sa pagtanggap namin nitong karangalan, tinatanggap din namin ang hamon na ipagpatuloy ang pagpayaman ng sining at kultura sa ating mahal na bayan,” added Joey.
(In receiving this honor, we are also undertaking the challenge to continue enriching the arts and culture in our beloved nation.)
For Lea’s part, she said, “This is wonderful to receive, but it certainly does not mean that the career ends. It only means that we must continue as artists in truth and in discipline to continue to create, to continue to entertain, and hopefully in service of our country, be able to make everybody happy.”
Encapsulating the weight of the honor was Gawad CCP Para sa Sining Biswal Julie Lluch‘s profound rumination:
“The CCP Gawad should spur me on not to greater heights, but to the lower depths where every artist worth his salt needs to plumb and descend into the lower depths that he may see, touch, smell, feel the festering wounds of suffering humanity… Finally, it is my prayer that I may be as clay in the potter’s hands, inconsequential of itself but in the maker’s gentle grasp may be transformed into a vessel of purest beauty to be used serviceably in the sacred altars of our God.”
