THE Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) introduced last week the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining Folio, the official publication of the highest award given by the premier art institution to deserving Filipino artists and cultural workers.
Set to be released in printed and digital formats, the folio contains citations, essays, photos, and notable works of the recipients of the 2020 Gawad CCP Para sa Sining for their outstanding achievements and contributions to Philippine arts and culture.
“This folio honors the impact these artists made to Philippine society,” said CCP chairperson Maria Margarita Moran-Floirendo during the virtual launch. “I salute the artists and organizations featured in this folio who deserve to be recognized for a job well done. This folio will greatly benefit the Filipino people, especially the young generation and the academe.”
The awardees of the 2020 Gawad CCP Para sa Sining featured in the folio were announced in July. The 14 recipients of the highest award bestowed by the Cultural Center of the Philippines include 12 individuals, a performing group and a publication.
The awardees are Rafael Catalino “Nonoy” Froilan for Dance, Raul M. Sunico for Music, Felix “Nonon” Padilla for Theater, Luis “Junyee” Yee Jr. for Visual Arts, Lualhati Bautista for Literature, Clodualdo “Doy” del Mundo Jr. for Film and Broadcast Arts, Cristina Turalba for Architecture, Kenneth Cobonpue for Design, Nestor Horfilla for Cultural Work and Research, the late Antonio Fabella for Dance, and the late Alice Guillermo for Cultural Research. Meanwhile, Danilo Dolor will receive the Tanging Parangal for the development and support of the arts.
The distinction was likewise conferred on the Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG) for Culture of its Region, and Liwayway Magazine for Development of Philippine Culture.
“For the Gawad CCP 2020 awardees, we recognize Filipino artists who have remained loyal to their Filipino roots, drawing from tradition and the rich cultural experiences of the Filipino people,” said Chris Millado, CCP vice president and artistic director. “The solid commitment to Filipino artistry surely inspires the next generation of Filipino artists and audiences.”
The Gawad CCP Para sa Sining 2020 Folio contains 340 pages that narrate the life and present the works of the 14 awardees. The publication features original articles written by artist-scholars in English, except for one, and were then translated into Filipino by veteran teachers of Filipino language and literature.
For instance, architect-writer-editor Paolo Alcazaren penned the piece on Kenneth Cobonpue, titled “How Rattan Conquered the Art World,” which was then translated by Michael Coroza of the Ateneo de Manila University. Meanwhile, Luna Sicat-Cleto wrote the article about Lualhati Bautista, which was then translated by Eileen Narvaez of the University of the Philippines.
According to Kiko del Rosario, art director of the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining 2020 Folio, the publication also features QR codes that readers can scan to access videos about the awardees.
“Sana po ay magustuhan ninyo ang Gawad CCP Para Sa Sining 2020 Folio,” said Dr. Nicanor Tiongson, editor of the publication. “Sana’y makapagbigay ito ng inspirasyon sa mga estudyante sa elementary, high school at kolehiyo, at sa lahat ng makababasa sa parangal na ito, Pilipino man o banyaga.”
Featured in the launch was a representative of the education sector, Maricel Padua Lopez, a senior high-school teacher of humanities and social sciences, or HUMSS. She said that the folio showcases the cultural richness of the country that should be promoted, especially among the younger generation.
“Kung kilala nila ang K-pop groups at American artists katulad ng BTS at ni Taylor Swift, dapat ay kilala rin nila ang sariling atin,” Lopez said. “Ako, bilang guro, ay ipamumulat ko sa mga kabataan na kilalanin din ang sariling atin upang mapayabong at mapalago ang kultura ng ating bansa.”
The folio’s potential impact on the Filipino youth was the same message underscored by CCP president Arsenio Lizaso in his closing remarks for the launch.
“Ang Gawad CCP Para sa Sining 2020 Folio ay nagsisilbing patunay sa pag-usbong at pag-unlad ng iba’t-ibang larangan ng sining at kultura sa Pilipinas,” he said. “Ito ay pamana para sa mga susunod na henerasyon upang mas makilala at mas mapalago pa ang sining at kultura natin.”