| Maria Clara Awards | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Excellence in cinematic achievements |
| Country | Philippines |
| Presented by | Manila Times Publishing, Co. (1951-1952), a group led by Col. Jimmy Tiu (2006) |
| First awarded | 1951 |
| Last awarded | 2006 |
The Maria Clara Awards is the first formal film industry award-giving body of the Philippines. It was established in 1950 by a group of writers from the Manila Times Publishing, Co., which included National Artist Dr. Alejandro Roces, regarded as the Father of the Maria Clara Awards. It was the initial answer of the Philippines to Hollywood's Academy Awards, an institution for recognizing talents in the Filipino movie industry.[1]