President Marcos expressed hopes that the appreciation of Filipino art by Filipinos would be revived.
Marcos made the statement as he recognized the country's most outstanding choirs, who recently won in international competitions representing the Philippines.
"I hope that tonight will be the beginning of a resurgence of the appreciation of Filipino art by Filipinos," Marcos said in his speech at the Gintong Parangal in Malacañan Palace on Sunday, Nov. 24.
The President recognized the seven chorale groups – University of the Philippines Manila Chorale, Quezon City Performing Arts Development Foundation, Inc. Concert Chorus, Sola Gratia Chorale, University of Mindanao Chorale, Los Cantantes De Manila, IMUSICAPELLA and University of Santo Tomas Singers during the ceremony.
In his speech, Marcos said "no one's talking about" the victories the Filipino chorale groups achieved in the international scene, stressing the need to recognize them.
"This is world championship level. This is not the choir that won the barangay fiesta. This is world class international level. And Filipinos do not know about it. And they should. Because every other pinoy that will hear about it will be proud once again," he said.
He further expressed that by recognizing the chorale groups now, it would reignite Filipinos appreciation for Filipino arts, including music, which, he said, is a "very important portion of the Filipino culture."
"Of course, it's nice to have the plaques and the awards and the medals and all that. But people must hear about it. Filipinos, especially, know about it. And I hope that tonight will be the first step to that, where we recognize the true artists that are amongst us. And the artists that have made their... they've gone out and have been so committed to their art," Marcos said.
The President further highlighted Filipino music, which is "as good as any music that you can hear anywhere in the world."
"And it is not any music that we are now promoting. It's Filipino music. Of course, we're influenced by all of those who have come to the Philippines in our past history. But still, when you hear a song, when you hear a kundiman, that's Filipino. When you hear the Manila sound, when you hear all of this music that comes from the Philippines, it's Filipino," he said.
"And it's just as good as any music that you can hear anywhere in the world. And that is why this tonight is so important to us. So that people, Filipinos, realize, no, it's really good. It's really good. 'Yan ang music namin at na-appreciate ng buong mundo, dahil maganda naman talaga (Our music is beautiful and the world appreciates it because our music is beautiful)," he added.
After the awarding ceremony, the Filipino chorale groups sang a couple of songs for the President and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, where the First Lady turned emotional.