The mere mention of gold conjures images of Olympic champions finishing first in the highly competitive arena of sports. Gold is the color of the highly coveted Oscars statuette which heralds the fiercest and most fabulous in acting, creative and technical awards in Hollywood. Gold brings happy memories from the Generation X demographics as it is an iconic ditty from the British power pop group Spandau Ballet. Apart from these, gold often signifies excellence and integrity.
These illustrations of the value of gold are the reasons why four years ago, Gintong Parangal was born.
Now under the stewardship of Professor Jonathan Velustra Sta. Ana, he explains: “Gold has always been the measurement or standard used to proclaim the best. Our group, which is predominantly composed of academicians, artists, and cultural workers, lawyers, private individuals believe that these men and women who we are honoring, their lives are aspirational and inspirational.”
“This is our manner of telling them that they are doing great and we hope that they continue to excel and be living symbols of hope, discipline, love for their craft, hard work, and professionalism,” Sta. Ana added.
The awardees this year, specifically in the entertainment industry sector are: Ricky Davao, Natatanging Gintong Parangal bilang Pinakamahusay na Aktor at Direktor; Rey Valera, Natatanging Gintong Parangal bilang Pinakamahusay na Mang-Aawit at Alagad ng Musikang Filipino; Jose Estrella, Natatanging Gintong Parangal bilang Mahusay na Direktor sa Sining ng Teatro; Dr. Ricardo G. Abad, Natatanging Gintong Parangal bilang Mahusay na Manunulat sa Sining ng Teatro; Liza Macuja Elizalde, Natatanging Gintong Parangal bilang Tagapagtaguyod ng Pagsayaw Ballet; Gelli De Belen, Natatanging Gintong Parangal bilang Pinakamahusay na Aktres; Dindo Arroyo, Natatanging Gintong Parangal bilang Mahusay na Beteranong Aktor; Camille Prats, Natatanging Gintong Parangal bilang Mahusay na Host sa Telebisyon; Aljur Abrenica, Natatanging Gintong Parangal bilang Pinakamahusay na Aktor sa kanyang Henerasyo; Jayda Avanzado, Gintong Parangal bilang Mahusay na Mang-Aawit sa kanyang Henerasyon; Dinah Sabal Ventura, Natatanging Gintong Parangal bilang Mahusay na Manunulat at Patnugot sa Pamamahayag sa Pelikula at Telebisyon; Cristine Reyes, Natatanging Gintong Parangal bilang Pinakamahusay na Aktres sa kanyang Henerasyon; and Xian Lim, Natatanging Gintong Parangal bilang Mahusay na Aktor at Direktor.
MPJ Entertainment Director Perry Escaño assisted Prof. Sta. Ana in choosing the awardees.
During its recent press conference, Ricky Davao, first-time award winners Dion Ignacio and Dindo Arroyo, and entertainment and lifestyle editor Dinah Ventura were present to welcome the good news.
“After 32 years, sa wakas! Thank you for this award. Eto lang talaga yung tumawag sa akin, and then sinabi sa akin, ‘Dindo, bibigyan ka ng award.’ And then sabi ko, ‘Wow, pinansin na rin kami.’ Kaya thank you very much for this award,” Arroyo said said of the recognition.
Likewise, Ignacio’s surprise to the win, was under stable: “Hindi ako makapagsalita, basta ‘yun, na-overwhelm lang po ako dahil kahit nasa ilalim napansin, ‘yung effort, parang, napansin po ‘yung effort ko, bilang artista, supporting, nakakapagpaangat, mas napapansin po ‘yung nasa taas. Overwhelmed ako rito sa award na ito.”
Seasoned and award-winning actor and director Davao retorted: “Winning an accolade from Gintong Parangal feels great because it means that, hey, may nakapansin na as actors, we must be doing something good in our craft, At the same time, happy pressure kasi we all know that if you have a gold as a stamp of approval, it means excellent. So dapat mas maging juidicious sa pagpili ng roles at talagang dapat palagiang fully committed to the character assigned to me or to all of us na maswerte na nakapasa sa criteria nila.”
Gintong Parangal is a nationwide search. The awardees are not just from Metro Manila but also from the provinces and distant regions.
The Gintong Parangal Awards Night happens on August 13 at the Grand Ballroom of Okada Manila.