The Manila Times Chairman and CEO Dante Francis ‘Klink’ Ang 2nd (center) with Nunungan, Lanao del Norte and League of Municipalities of the Philippines National Vice President-External Marcos Mamay (right) and book author-international journalist Chino Hansel Philyang (left) at the 124th anniversary of the country’s oldest English newspaper in October. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
THERE is always a room for another award-giving body, says noted movie director Romm Burlat, president and chief executive officer of the Gawad Dangal Filipino Awards.
“What makes this award-giving body distinct is we put emphasis on integrity and honor, not popularity [or social media following],” he asserts.
His decision to organize a group with like-minded individuals has come up with the awards bestowed upon him by various bodies year after year, recognizing his directorial and acting skills as well as his being a fashionista.
“I feel it is about time for me to recognize other people for their achievements. Modesty aside, I get an award almost every month. As a return of gratitude, along with other well-meaning friends, I decided to come up with Gawad Dangal Filipino Awards to recognize Filipino men and women of integrity and honor,” Burlat reveals, adding that he has manager friends and some students lending support to the project.
The Manila Times President and COO Blanca Mercado and Philippine Faces of Success founder Richard Hiñola
While there had been many award-giving bodies that mushroomed the past two or three years, making the accolades from some questionable money-making ventures as sources of smirk and silent laughter from all sides of the spectrum, the multi-awarded movie director-actor clearly states what is Gawad Dangal and what it is not.
“Every award-giving body has its own vision and mission. Perhaps there is not much difference among other awards. Nevertheless, we are emphasizing those people with integrity and honor, which means to say, not only one’s achievements which are being considered but also the image of the individual and as a professional which is of great importance in this award,” he says.
In this inaugural edition, greatly considered are the individual’s achievements in 2021 and 2022, but of equal weight is the person’s integrity.
Gawad Dangal Filipino Awards President and CEO Romm Burlat with Evangeline Pascual
“A nominee may have a long list of achievements but if laden with controversies and has a tainted image, he won’t be eligible for this award,” he avers.
Awardees come from different fields of endeavors – entertainment, media, government service, corporate, medical practice, humanitarian and entrepreneurial ventures,
Among them are Atty. Persida Rueda-Acosta – Most Outstanding Public Servant; Sharon Cuneta – Outstanding Movie Queen/Singer Performer of the Year; Maricel Soriano – Outstanding Movie Queen and Best Drama Actress of the Year; Bishop Rudy Fajardo – Outstanding Bishop/Director of the Year; Ima Castro – Best Actress in a Musicale; Gerald Santos – Best Actor in a Musicale; Rommel Ramilo – Best Director in a Musicale; Dianne Medina – Outstanding TV and Event Host of the Year; Baby Go – Most Outstanding Movie Producer of the Year; Chino Hansel Philyang – Hall of Fame Book Author of the Year; John Christian Garcia – Most Outstanding Young CEO and Artist of the Year; Lance Raymundo – Best Host/Singer of the Year; Blanca Mercado – Outstanding Publication Executive of the Year; Dante Francis Ang – Most Empowered Executive in Journalism; Dr. Dante Arevalo Ang – Lifetime Achievement Award for Journalism.
Richard Hiñola – Remarkable Awards Icon of the Year; Pete Ampoloquio Jr. – Most Outstanding Entertainment Columnist of the Decade; Jessa Zaragosa – Outstanding Songstress of the Decade; Marcos Mamay – Outstanding Mayor of the Philippines; Arlo Custodio – Outstanding Journalist of the Year; Teejay Marquez – Outstanding Young Actor and Promising Entrepreneur of the Year; Josemarie Diaz – Best Local Chief Executive of the Year; Dr. Joy Garcia – Most Outstanding Dental Doctor of the Year; Richard Quan – Most Durable Best Supporting Actor of the Year; Allan Sibayan Zulueta – Most Exceptional Educator and Advocate for IPs of the Year; Lhar Santiago – Most Outstanding Showbiz Reporter and Journalist of the Year; Enzo Pineda – Best Supporting Actor of the Year; Caesar Vallejos – Most Outstanding TV Executive of the Year; and Net25 – Outstanding TV Station of the Year.
The Awards Night is on December 28, 2022 7 p.m. at Eurotel North Edsa.
Email [email protected] for inquiries and sponsorship.
