‘Juan Tamad’ honored

The House of Representatives is poised to honor the late National Artist Manuel Conde, who made the Filipino classic “Genghis Khan” and the well-loved “Juan Tamad” film series.

Born Manuel Urbano, the film director, writer, actor and producer was posthumously conferred the National Artist for Cinema award in 2009. He died on Aug. 11, 1985.

The lower chamber recently approved on third and final reading a joint resolution declaring Oct. 9, 2015, to Oct. 9, 2016, the “Centennial Year of National Artist for Film Manuel Conde.”

Authored by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., House Joint Resolution No. 34 mandates a national celebration of the life and works of Conde, whose films have made an “invaluable contribution to the national heritage.”

“The works and ingenuity of Manuel Conde brought to the light of consciousness the values, ethics and beliefs of the Filipinos, which are reflective of his artistic excellence and of the national genius that contributed to enrich the Philippine cinema and the world,” Belmonte said.

He said it was only apt that the nation expressed its gratitude and appreciation to Conde, whose filmmaking career spanned five decades, for contributing to the development of Philippine society.

“The preeminent achievements of local artists that have enhanced the cultural heritage of the Filipino people deserve the recognition and acknowledgement of our government pursuant to its policy of preserving and developing Filipino culture and national identity,” Belmonte said.

Under the House joint resolution, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Cultural Center of the Philippines shall spearhead the celebration of Conde’s centennial birth anniversary in coordination with the Department of Education and other agencies.