• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod congratulated Tanya Lopez, executive director of The Negros Museum, for being chosen as one of the Golden LEAF Presidential awardees at the Philippine LEAF Awards: Tertulia at Parangal 2024.
Lopez, a native of Bacolod, and known as an arts manager, cultural organizer, and theater director, will be honored for her contributions in cultural preservation and arts management during the awards ceremony at the Manila Metropolitan Theater in Plaza Bonifacio, formerly Plaza Lawton, on Feb. 8.
Councilor Claudio Jesus “Kalaw” Puentevella, who authored the resolution of commendation approved by the SP during its regular session Jan. 17, said that choosing Lopez as one of the awardees of the second LEAF Awards Tertulia at Parangal 2024 “creates a profound sense of pride and honor to artistic and cultural organizations of Bacolod showcasing the rich artistic history of the City”.
The resolution, with councilors Em Ang and Celia Flor as co-proponents, noted that the Philippine LEAF Awards is a prestigious award-giving body dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the outstanding achievements of Filipino artists in the fields of live entertainment, arts, fashion, and festivals.
Founded on the principles of integrity, creativity, and excellence, the Philippine LEAF Awards is “committed to honoring Filipino individuals and organizations to push the boundaries of artistic expression and contribute to the enrichment of the Filipino culture, arts, and society, and the Golden LEAF Presidential Award is a tribute to those whose dedication has not only elevated the arts but also enriched the soul of our nation”.
The SP said that Lopez, also the executive director of the Negros Cultural Foundation Inc. and the director of The Artists’ Hub and Culture and Arts Program of the University of Saint La Salle-Bacolod, helped establish several cultural organizations and festivals in the Visayas.
These include The Performance Laboratory Inc., the Teatrokon, Western Visayas Theater Network, West Visayas Association of Museum, the Cinekasimanwa West Visayas Film Festival, Sine Negrense Film Festival, Bakunawa Cinema of the Young, and the Kuris International Theatre Festival.
The Negros Cultural Foundation Inc. also congratulated Lopez for championing the promotion of arts, culture, and heritage with a significant impact locally and nationally.
“The Golden LEAF Presidential Award is a testament to her outstanding contribution to cultural preservation, honoring passionate individuals, who leave a lasting mark on our country’s cultural landscape. We are incredibly proud to share this achievement with the Negros Cultural Foundation and The Negros Museum teams,” the Foundation said, adding the accolade “validates our collective effort in preserving the arts and culture in the regional setting, specifically in Negros Island”. | CGC
