The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) held its anniversary concert, “Mga Kulturang Filipino… Buhay na Buhay,” last June 26 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

The event also honored the people who helped establish the NCCA. The late President Corazon Aquino was awarded the Tanim award posthumously for signing Executive Order No. 118 that created the Presidential Commission for Culture and the Arts (PCCA). Daughter Viel Aquino-Dee received the award.

Also honored were authors of Republic Act 7356, or the law that turned the PCCA to NCCA:  Sen. Edgardo Angara, former Sen. Heherson Alvarez and former Sen. Leticia Ramos-Shahani, and Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Carlos Padilla.

The latter’s son, Paolo Padilla, attended the ceremonies.

The Concerned Artists of the Philippines and Free the Artist Movement were given the Punla award.

National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera and poet-journalist-screenplay-writer Pete Lacaba received the awards on behalf of CAP and FAM, respectively.

The Tanim and Punla trophies were designed by artist Charito Bitanga.

Eight “living Filipino cultures” were presented: “Kultura ng Pagdidiwata,” “Kultura ng Pag-uukir at Pag-uuma,” “Kultura ng Pamamanata,” “Kultura ng Pananahan,” “Kultura ng Paglilining at Pangangatwiran,” “Kultura ng Pag-aaliw,” “Kultura ng Pamumuna at Pagtutol,” and “Kultura ng Pagka-Pilipino at Pagkabansa.”

The living cultures were conceptualized by NCCA chairman Felipe de Leon Jr.

These Filipino cultures were presented through different cultural presentations and performances by musicians Joey Ayala and Bayang Barrios; Ramon Obusan Folkloric Dance Group; Philippine Opera Company; mezzo-soprano Clarissa Ocampo; rapper Kenjhons; and Bulacan-based dance group Next to Innocence.

“Mga Kulturang Filipino… Buhay na Buhay” was directed by Floy Quintos and was hosted by NCCA ambassadors Boy Abunda and Venus Raj.