The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) honored 32 Filipino artists on February 27, 2026. The ceremony was held in the Metropolitan Theater Ballroom. It marked the close of the year‑long National Arts Month. First Lady Liza Araneta‑Marcos joined NCCA Chair and Executive Director Eric B. Zerrudo onstage. They presented the Ani ng Dangal trophies with Commissioner for the Arts Lordinio Vegara.
Zerrudo praised the winners. “Ang tapang na iharap ang ating wika, ang ating imahen, ang ating kasaysayan, ang ating mga kuwento sa entablado ng mundo … Ang paninindigan na nagsasabing ang Filipino na may sariling tinig, may dangal at may sariling henyo,” he said. The award highlighted achievements in architecture, music, visual arts, literature, cinema, dance and design.
In architecture, five firms received international honors. GFP Architects won Best Residential High‑Rise at the Asia Pacific Property Awards. Normandy Architects earned Best Planned Beach Resort Hotel Project of 2025 and Most Creative Architect at the Global Architect and Builder Awards in Malaysia. Digal Architect and Builders took Best Architect for Institutional Project 2025. SGS Designs Landscape Architecture won the IFLA‑APR Outstanding Award in Cultural and Urban Landscape. ASYA was named 5‑Star Best Residential Renovation/Redevelopment (Philippines). William Ti was also recognized for his 2021 World Architecture Festival masterplan win.
Eight music groups and individuals were cited. Ian Gabriel Corpuz won the 11th Annual Composer’s Competition of Chorus Austin for “Laudate Dominum.” The University of Santo Tomás Singers captured the Grand Prize and Oak Tree of Derry Trophy at the City of Derry International Choir Festival. Philippine Meistersingers earned the Rimini Grand Prix at the 18th Rimini International Choral Competition. Sola Gratia Chorale won the 4th Asia Choral Grand Prix. Eastern Chamber Singers and Far Eastern University Chorale were finalists at the Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival. Fabian Obispo received the Outstanding Sound Design Award at the 2025 Lucille Lortel Awards. Michelle Mariposa won the Grand Final of the 2025 Metropolitan Opera Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition.
Two visual artists were honored. Christopher G. Andres placed first in the 2023 FIBA Photo Contest. Gina Custodio Meneses won the Global 50/50 “This is Gender: Gender and Disability” Photo Contest in 2025.
Five literary figures were recognized. John Bengan, Roehl Joseph Dazo, Christian Jil R. Benitez and Alvin B. Yapan won translation and writing prizes in the PEN Presents × International Booker Prize program. Merlie M. Alunan received the 2025 International Writers Award from the Royal Society of Literature.
In cinema, three Filipinos earned top honors. Judy Ann Santos was named Best Actress at the 45th Fantasporto International Film Festival in Portugal. Joselito Altarejos won Best Director for a foreign feature at the Ahmedabad International Film Festival. Laurice Guillen also won Best Actress at the same festival.
Seven dancers took home international gold medals. Ric Russell Matawa Abao and Axel Rose Canama Paypa won at the Negeri Sembilan International Dancesport Championship. The Cavite Indayog Cultural Dance Troupe earned the Folk Dance Adult Formation Gold Prize at WDF 2025 under the Korea Dance Organization. Folks Jumpers were champions of the Adult Division at the World Dance Crew Championship 2025. Legit Status became World Champion in the MegaCrew Division of the World Hip Hop Dance Championship. Jeff Keffier C. Evangelio won the Solo Division of the Champions Tour International Street Dance Festival. Choreo ’N Cream took the Open Division title at World Supremacy Battlegrounds. Makiling Dance of the Philippine High School for the Arts was named Overall Grand Champion at the Asia Pacific Arts Festival.
Two designers were recognized in footwear and jewelry. Chad Gabrielle Tanutan topped the Men’s Shoe category at the 13th International Footwear Design Competition of the Confederation of International Footwear Associations. Ivan Cedric Fabia won the Lady’s Boot category, the overall Design‑a‑Bag competition in 2024, and first prize in the Fresh Facets category of the Singapore Jewelry Design Awards.
Laurice Guillen, an Ani ng Dangal honoree for cinema, delivered the acceptance speech. “Art is a personal journey shaped by passion, struggles, mentorship, and authentic self‑expression,” she said. “While we are here to celebrate the accolades we have received, I believe the true value of this occasion lies in sharing our individual struggles, our unique journeys and the philosophies we hold dear,” Guillen added.
The Ani ng Dangal trophy features a sarimanok designed by National Artist Abdulmari Imao. The award’s rice‑stalk logo symbolizes a harvest of creativity. It celebrates the global impact of Filipino artists and cultural workers.
32 Filipino Artists Win 18th Ani ng Dangal Awards
