CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Multi-Awarded Photographer Ruston Banal received the 2015 Ani ng Dangal Awards in the field of photography at the National Museum in Manila over the weekend sharing the stage with Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto and actor Jake Cuenca.
Ani ng Dangal or "Harvest of Honors" is a state recognition given by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts under the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines. It
is an annual event celebrated as a highlight and concluding rite of the Philippine Arts Festival.
The 7th Ani ng Dangal was held at the Old Senate Hall of The National Museum of the Philippines.
Vilma Santos was one of the actresses honored during the awarding ceremony organized by the NCCA in time for National Arts Month along with Jake Cuenca.
Banal, for his part, has been reaping awards internationally through his photography. In 2013, he was adjudged as one of the winners in of the Goethe-Institut's "Climate Change. Be Aware. Take Care" photography competition.
Banal's entry "Kuraldal" landed first place and also got the honorable mention for the overall category in the IPA. The IPA is considered as the "Oscars" in the world of photography. The competition attracted 20,000 entries from various countries.
The same photo also won in the 2013 Sony World Photography Awards in London under the culture category. It was exhibited from April to May 2013 at the Somerset House Gallery.
Banal had four shortlisted entries in the 2013 Maybank Photography Awards with the theme "Inspiring Asia". He also won an award in the said contest. Recently, Banal also received another award in the Moscow International Fotography Awards (MIFA) for the same photo that won him two recognition in the United States.
Banal said that the recent recognition inspires him to further share his talent with fellow Kapampangans. He added that there are more talented Kapampangan artists waiting to be recognized in the national art scene.