MANILA, Philippines - Lea Salonga, Jericho Rosales, Boy Abunda and the Halili-Cruz Ballet Company led this year's Ani Ng Dangal Awardees.
February of every year, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) celebrates the National Arts Month. Ani ng Dangal is part of the celebration.
Last Feb. 28, the NCCA honored 39 Filipino artists who made outstanding artistic achievements in the global arena. For this year, the awarding ceremony was held in Malacañang Palace.
The awardees are Lea Salonga, who was given the Walt Disney Legendary Award in the Disney Legend Awards 2011, Jericho Rosales, who got the Special Artist Award for Outstanding Achievement in Acting in the 13th Newport Beach Film Festival for his film ''Subject I Love You.''
Halili-Cruz Ballet Company, a four-time Ani ng Dangal awardee, garnered the Gold Prize in Dance Excellence, Los Angeles, California, Gold Prize in the 21st Century International Dance Festival 2011 in Malaysia and the Grand Prize trophy in the 13th Asia Pacific Dance Competition in Bangkok, Thailand. Boy Abunda's ''The Bottomline'' was chosen as the Best Talk Show for 2011 in the 16th Asian TV Awards.
The Halili-Cruz Ballet Company is a multi-awarded ballet company under the leadership of Shirley Halili Cruz. The Halili-Cruz School of Ballet has been awarded the ''Most Outstanding Ballet School in Asia'' since 2000.
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Ai Ai, Wenn Reunite In 'Wako Wako'
Working together once more are ''Comedy Concert Queen'' Ai Ai de las Alas and Director Wenn Deramas, the blockbuster tandem behind the 2010 movie ''Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last Na 'To).'' Their latest project is the ABS-CBN fantaserye ''Wako Wako,'' which premieres tomorrow, March 5.
Through the show, Ai Ai said she intends to give televiewers not only entertainment but also inspiration. She recounted that her tandem with Wenn, while they were big box-office hits, were also loaded with life lessons.
Ai Ai recently went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land where she visited places in Jesus' life. Ai Ai took the chance to reflect on her own life and thank the Lord for her many blessings.
Also featured in ''Wako Wako'' is talented child actor Yogo Singh. He said he and his mom chose to do ''Wako Wako'' because of its high entertainment value.
''Wako Wako'' is the story of a seven-year-old boy Muymuy (Yogo) who yearns to make his father, a policeman, proud.
He will discover a magical creature whom he'll call Wako Wako. Wako Wako fulfills all his wishes, but soon Muymuy discovers that every granted wish comes with a price.
Ai Ai plays the mysterious lady named Dyosa Marishka, the goddess of wishes.
''Wako Wako'' starts airing tomorrow before ''TV Patrol'' on ABS-CBN.
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Cha-Cha Cañete's Kiddie Rockstar Music Video On 'Goin' Bulilit'
This Sunday in ''Goin' Bulilit,'' Cha-Cha Cañete's music video entitled ''Bakit O Bakit'' will be seen for the first time on television. The song is the carrier for her upcoming album ''Bulilit Rockstar.''
In the music video, Cha-Cha proves that even kids like her can also delve into rock music. Rock band Tanya Markova jazzes up the video directed by Yan Yuzon.
Cha-Cha is a consistent first honor student. She appears regularly on the country's top-rating and longest-running kiddie gag show ''Goin' Bulilit.''
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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, March 4, go to Dawn Zulueta, Carol Banawa, Ella Reyes-Choy, Wilma Redler, Joanne Ramirez, Krystle Yambot, David S. Flores, Joan Camille Tisoy, Hattie H. Pili, Ruby Co, Chicago-based Gerry Crisostomo, Judith A. Los Baños and congressional spouse Sandra Estrella...
