Two Valenzuelano teens were among the 32 world-class artists in different fields honoured by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in the “Ani ng Dangal” (Harvest of Honors) Awards 2012 held last February 28, at the Heroes Hall of the Malacañang Palace.

Jamia Mei Tolentino and Justen Paul Tolentino of Barangay Marulas were chosen in the field of visual arts for winning international competitions last year. 

Thirteen years old Jamia Mei competed with artists from other countries in an On-the-Spot Painting Contest held at Sintesa Peninsula Hotel in Manado, Indonesia where she won the Merit of Excellence Award and at the 10^thMitsubishi Asian Children Enniki Festa held in Tokyo, Japan where she bagged the Grand Prix.  On April 2012, she will be awarded in Sarasota, Florida, USA as one of the winners of the Embracing Our Differences 2012, an international outdoor art exhibit intended to demonstrate in a positive way that diversity enriches lives – some illustrious addition to her numerous international achievements in the field of visual arts. 

Justen Paul, on the other hand, was chosen for having won the Grand Prix of 2011 Pour I’Enfrance Annual Drawing Contest. He also won the 1^stPlace in the 9th International Environmental Children's Drawing Contest in Tokyo, Japan.  On April 2012, he will also fly to in Sarasota, Florida, USA to receive honors for winning the Honourable Mention in Embracing Our Differences 2012.

The “Ani ng Dangal” (Harvest of Honors) Awards recognizes artists who have earned international awards and accolades during the past year.  It is an annual event, which serves as the closing activity of the Philippine Arts Festival, NCCA’s grand event in celebration of the National Arts Month. 

In his message delivered by Undersecretary for Special Concerns Frederick Michael Musngi of the Office of the Executive Secretary during the Ani ng Dangal Awards 2012, President Benigno “Noynoy” S. Aquino III lauded the country’s local artists for showing the innate talent and unique genius of the Filipinos to the world. 

Bannering the luminous batch of awardees are: Broadway and West End star Lea Salonga, NCCA Art Ambassador Boy Abunda whose talk show, The Bottomline, was recognized as the Best Talk Show for 2011 in the 16th Asian TV Awards, actor Jericho Rosales who won best actor for starring in the Hollywood movie “Subject: I Love You” which premiered at the Newport Beach Film Festival in California last year. 

Valenzuela City has been actively participating at the Philippine Arts Festival by showcasing the productions of Valenzuela City Center for the Performing Arts (VCCPA) at the Pasinaya open-house festival, such as the “Mga Awit ng Ibong Adarna” in 2008, “Sandosenang Sapatos” in 2009, “Mga Ginintuang Taon ng Bodabil” in 2010, “Junto Al Pasig” in 2011 and Ang Kinang ni Kahlimthis year.                                                                  

It is a testament to Valenzuela City’s commitment to nurture and develop local talents in the field of performing arts.  In 2009, Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian also received an award from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) which cited Valenzuela City as one of the twenty culture-friendly local government units (LGU) among the country’s 79 provinces, 118 cities and 1509 municipalities.