A strong supporter of the arts, Senator Sonny Angara is pushing for the bill seeking to grant P1-million cash incentive to Filipino artists who win international awards in order to boost the development of the Philippines’ arts and entertainment industry and help the country gain more recognition in the global community.
Much like his father, the late Senate President Edgardo J. Angara, the younger Angara noted how Filipino artists have been showcasing their skills and creativity to the world and in the process, help raise the awareness of the international community to the wealth of talent innate among Filipinos.
Among the more recent awardees are actor John Arcilla who won the Coppi Volpi for best actor at the 78th Venice Film Festival; director Diane Paragas, whose film Yellow Rose won the 2019 Reel Asian Best Feature Film award in the Toronto International Film Festival; vocalists Marlon Macabaya and Denise Melanie Du Lagrosa, who won first and second place respectively at the Stars of Albion Grand Prix 2019 in London; and painter Worth Lodriga, who as a seven year-old, won first place at the 2017 Student Mars Art Contest in the United States.
“We have so many talented artists here in the country and many of them have yet to showcase their work at a larger stage. By providing these cash incentives we are giving them the motivation to work even harder so that they can reach their full potential and make a name for themselves, not only here, but also in the international arena,” Angara said in a statement.
“Over the years we have seen many Filipino artists gain recognition in some of the most prestigious events in the world. Their accomplishments coupled with these proposed incentives could serve as an inspiration to our brilliant members of the creatives, entertainment, arts and literary sectors to produce even more award winning works,” the senator added.
In filing Senate Bill 2466 or the proposed “Artists Incentives Act of 2021,” Angara proposes granting P1-million as cash incentives for Filipino artists who bring home the highest awards in international competitions, film festivals or exhibitions determined by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
The bill particularly covers Filipino filmmakers, film production entities, literary writers, artists and performers in the creative sector who have received honors internationally.
Examples of the competitions and exhibitions that are included in the scope of the bill are the Festival de Cannes, Sundance Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, New York Film Festival, and the Busan International Film Festival.
The measure also provides for a P500,000 cash incentive to those who garnered special recognition or any other award that may not be considered the highest award in an international competition or exhibition.
Angara said the events participated in by the Filipino artist/s should be in existence for at least five years and are known for their international profile, audience size and the quality and breadth for their competition, festival or exhibition.
Under the measure, funding for the bill will come from the National Endowment for Culture and the Arts which was established under Section 50 of Republic Act 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.
Should there be more than one winner of a particular award, the prize money shall be equally divided among the winners.