President Duterte swears in new NCCA officials, honors talented Filipino artists

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte swears in the new officials of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts during the oath-taking ceremony at the Malacañan Palace on February 26, 2020. SIMEON CELI JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

The new Board of Commissioners of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and its Executive Council Members were sworn in by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday, expecting the new officials to further develop the country’s culture and arts as well as preserve the Filipino cultural heritage.

Speaking before the newly sworn in officials, President Duterte congratulated them saying, “I am confident that you will continuously demonstrate your voluntary support for the further development of Philippine culture and arts and the preservation of the Filipino heritage.”

“May you continue to uphold Filipino values and continuously work towards the development of Filipino culture and the arts, which is vital to the creation of an enlightened nation.”

The President also honored Wednesday the 12th Ani ng Dangal awardees comprised of talented artists from various fields.

“Our awardees today represent the best of what the Filipino can be, and what the arts can do to uplift the whole nation through talent, vision and excellence,” President Duterte said in recognizing their achievements.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte poses for posterity with the 12th Ani ng Dangal awardees at the Malacañan Palace on February 26, 2020. SIMEON CELI JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

“Our rich culture and arts reflect and define the Filipino people’s national identity and the values, which are vital to nation building.”

The whole nation is grateful for their achievements and have made every citizen very proud to be Filipino, he noted, adding the awardees not only put the Philippines on the world map but also contributed to greater understanding, respect, and appreciation of the Philippines’s cultural diversity.

With their feat, he expects them to continuously promote Filipino cultural heritage here and abroad.

Fifty-two awardees were honored during Wednesday’s event, including dancers, singers, musicians, literary writers, film directors and performers, architects, visual artists and designers, as well as multi-disciplinary artists.

The Ani ng Dangal Awards is an annual celebration of Filipino talent recognizing successful Filipinos in the field of arts around the world.