19 honorees to be feted in NCCA triennial awards

SUDI awardees

For its inaugural edition, the SUDI Awards will honor the contributions of 19 Filipino artists, musical works, cultural workers, researchers and institutions that have exemplified “the highest standards and artistic excellence” in the past 20 years.

Launched by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the award-giving body will hold a two-part, virtual awarding ceremony on Aug. 21 and 28 at 7 p.m. on the organization’s official Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Esteemed awardees

For the years 2000 to 2009, the awardees—which encompass different genres and modes of productions—are: Prof. Benicio Sokkong; Prof. Carmencita Guanzon Arambulo; 98.7 DZFE-FM The Master’s Touch; Grace Nono; Joey Ayala; Prof. Josefino Toledo; the Loboc Children’s Choir; Dr. Raul Sunico; and the UP Singing Ambassadors.

The 2010 to 2020 roster, on the other hand, is composed of the Ateneo Chamber Singers; Ebe Dancel; Gerard Salonga; “Rak of Aegis”; Gloc-9; Jonathan Manalo; Noel Cabangon; the Philippine Madrigal Singers; and The ‘70s Bistro Bar.

Aside from the 19 awardees, special citations will likewise be given to Bob Aves; Prof. Danongan Sibay Kalanduyan; Route 196 (2000 to 2009); Akapela Open; Elements Music Camp; PhilPop Music Foundation; Pinoy Playlist Music Festival; and Bayanihan Musikahan (2010 to 2020).

The winners will be featured in a special two-episode podcast, which will be published on Aug. 15 and 18 on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

The award’s name SUDI—an Ilocano word that means “illustrious,” “renowned,” “celebrated” or “famous”—was proposed by Dr. Felipe M. de Leon, Jr., incumbent head of the NCCA National Committee on Music.

The NCCA SUDI Awards, envisioned as a triennial event, also aims to encourage artists and musical practitioners—whether independent mainstream, traditional or contemporary—to create, perform, record and further develop their craft and advocacies.

—ALLAN POLICARPIO