La Castellana’s Bailes de Luces Wins Ani ng Dangal Award

BACOLOD CITY – La Castellana Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan expressed overwhelming gratitude after the town’s festival dance, Bailes de Luces, was recognized at the 17th Ani ng Dangal (Harvest of Honors) by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

“I am overflowing with joy and happiness for the recognition given by the NCCA, knowing that our efforts have not gone unnoticed,” Mangilimutan told the Daily Guardian on Thursday.

The NCCA Ani ng Dangal Awards honor exceptional Filipinos who have demonstrated excellence and earned top recognition in various international competitions.

Bailes de Luces received the award after securing multiple victories at the 27th World Championship of Performing Arts in Long Beach, California, USA.

Mayor Mangilimutan personally accepted the award during the ceremony at the Metropolitan Theater on March 5, 2025.

“Our hard work has truly been recognized,” she added.

Mangilimutan also called on the national government to prioritize culture and the arts as a key driver of tourism and economic development.

“I hope that Malacañang will give importance to culture and the arts as one of the conveyors of progress and development in tourism. If culture and the arts are strengthened, tourism will become one of the country’s economic boosters,” she said.

The NCCA honored 39 awardees across five categories:

• Architecture and Allied Arts – 7 honorees
• Cinema – 8 honorees
• Dance – 6 honorees
• Music – 15 honorees
• Visual Arts – 3 honorees

Bailes de Luces was among the six dance groups recognized by the NCCA for their international achievements.

Other honorees in the Dance category included:

• Halili Cruz School of Ballet, multiple awardee at the Asia Pacific Dance Competition in Bangkok, Thailand.
• UPEEPZ, World Champion in the Mega Crew Division at the 2024 Hip Hop Dance Championship in Phoenix, Arizona.
• A-KIDZ, World Champion in the Varsity Division at the 2024 Hip Hop Dance Championship in Phoenix, Arizona.
• TPM, Champion in the Open Category at Singapore’s Ultimate Dance Competition Super24 (2024).
• BAWZ, Champion in the Summer Jam Showcase in Vietnam.

The Ani ng Dangal Awards highlight the global excellence of Filipino artists and cultural groups, reinforcing the importance of preserving and promoting Philippine culture and the arts.