President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his keynote speech as he presides over the awarding ceremonies for the Ani ng Dangal awarding program held at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila on February 20, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News 

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Tuesday assured Filipino artists that the government is working to "create a nurturing environment" for their talents, which he said help “build a strong nation, and a compassionate society.”

 Marcos gave the statement during the 16th Ani ng Dangal awarding ceremony, which honors Filipino talents who earned the highest international awards in their respective fields.

“What you create are essential works that add to our Gross National Happiness. So please act on your dreams, believe in your talent, dare to break ground, tear down the walls that cage your creativity, hone your craft,” the President said.

“We know that art can only flourish under an atmosphere of freedom, and under Bagong Pilipinas, this is something that we will guarantee,” he said.

Allowing artists to thrive is important as they help in the “creation of the national consciousness… which is the way that we define what it is to be a Filipino,” the Chief Executive said.

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“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,” he said.

“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. You are ambassadors of our culture have won the hearts of audiences here and abroad,” he said.

The winners of the 16th Ani ng Dangal are as follows:

• LPPA Design Group / LP Pariñas and Associates (Architecture and Allied Arts)

• Sam Manacsa (Cinema)

• “The River That Never Ends (Cinema)

• “HITO” (Cinema)

• “Bold Eagle” (Cinema)

• “When You Left Me On That Boulevard” (Cinema)

• “Did It Hurt?” (Cinema)

• “Blue Room” (Cinema)

• La Salle Folk Dance Company (Dance)

• Legit Status (Dance)

• HQ Dance Collective (Dance)

• Rhea R. Marquez (Dance)

• Julius Jun Obero (Dance)

• Edelyn P. De Asis (Dance)

• Folk Jumpers (Dance)

• Kristel de Catalina (Dance)

• Halili-Cruz School of Ballet (Dance)

• Dr. Jesus Insilada (Literary Arts)

• De La Salle University Chorale (Music)

• Jose Emmanuel D. Aquino (Music)

• Kammerchor Manila (Music)

• Anthony Villanueva (Music)

• Young Voices of the Philippines (Music)

• Jannina Eliana G. Peña (Music)

• Albert Emir B. Reyes (Visual Arts)

• Domcar Calinawan Lagto (Visual Arts)

The Ani ng Dangal is a recognition given by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to conclude the National Arts Month observed in the Philippines every February.

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