“What they say”
“…lumikha ng malaking kontribusyon sa pagpapalaganap at pagpapaunlad ng sining at kulturang Mindanao. Dahil sa malaking ambag sa pagpapaunlad ng Sining at Kultura sa kanyang rehiyon, ang CCP ay nagpupugay at nagpapasalamat.”” (“…has made significant contributions in the growth and development of the arts and culture of Mindanao. Because of his significant efforts in the development of the Arts and Culture in his region, the CCP honors and thanks him.”) CCP 2004 Pilak Award Citation
“… iginagalang na manunulat na Filipino na may pinatunayan at nag-ukol ng buong búhay at lakas sa pagpapaunlad at pagpapalaganap ng panitikan. Ang inyong mga pagsisikap at napagtagumpayan sa sining ng Dula sa Filipino at Ingles ay hindi matatawarang ambag sa lawas ng ating pambansang panitikan kaya’t walang alinlangang karapat-dapat kayong pagkalooban ng parangal na ito.” Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas, UMPIL 2014
“Kapuri-puri at dapat kilalanin at pahalagahan ang masigasig na pagtataguyod ng inyong samahan ng mga orihinal na dula at pagtatanghal pangkultura na nagpupugay at lumuluwalhati sa pamanang wika at kultura ng lahi na nagbibigay-daan upang higit na makilala ng sambayanan ang dangal ng sariling pagkatao at sa gayon ay makilala rin ng buong mundo ang maipagmamalaking galing at kasiningan ng lahing Filipino.” Gawad Pedro Bukaneg, 2015 UMPIL
“…burning sense of mission to protect and even resuscitate aspects of our culture has occupied much of their life and scorched the whole world’s imagination for the better” Defenders of Our Heritage, 2004 Philippines Yearbook (published by the Fookien Times)
“One of Asia’s great minds,” AUBREY MELLOR, international theatre director, professor, and animateur, La Salle College of the Arts, Singapore
“We have many artistic treasures in the Philippines. Steven’s jewel looms large… Steve will win his National Artist Award yet” DR. JOEL NAVARRO, famed Philippine conductor and musician, Professor of Mathematics, Singapore Bible College after Calvin College
“Mr. Theater,” The Sunday Inquirer Magazine, 2002
“…the theatrical wizard…” The Philippine Star, 2004
“Humahanga nang lubos…” (“I greatly esteem…”) ONOFRE PAGSANGHAN, Ateneo de Manila 2003
“Renaissance Man.,,” The Mindanaw Inquirer, 1997
“Mindanao’s Man for All Seasons,” Graphic Magazine, 1995
“Grand Young Man of Southern Philippine Theater.” The Manila Chronicle, 1992.
“Outstanding Achievement in the Humanities for which the people of Iligan can be proud of.” Citation for 1984 Iligan City Award
“A genius….” LUCRESIA REYES URTULA, National Artist for Dance
“A cultural pillar….” REDENTOR ROMERO, International Conductor
“Mr. Theater.” DOREEN G. FERNANDEZ, Ph.D, Theater Critic and Historian
“Taliba ng Dulaang Pilipino.” (“Herald of Philippine Theatre.”) DR. NICANOR TIONGSON, Ph.D, Theater Scholar, Former Artistic Director, CCP
“… that lone horse in having started with the use of the pangalay as a training system…” Esteban ‘Basilio’ Villaruz, Treading Through, U.P., 2006.
“…guru of Mindanao youth theater…” RAMON SOLIMAN, Manila Bulletin, February 1993.
“A prolific and self-propelling artist….” OFELIA RONDINA, Manila Bulletin
“…largely responsible for the development of Philippine Theater in the Southern Philippines.” Independent
“Total Theater Man, National Class…An Artist of First Rank….” BAYANI SANTOS, Writer and Former Editor, NSC News
“…dynamic, creative, and self-propelling….” Manila Arts Bulletin
“…energetic genius….” MOZART A.T. PASTRANO, Business World
“[has] will, talent, and love for the theater….” CHERNIKHOVSKI GARIK, Vaktangov Theatre, Moscow
“…talented director….” STANISLAV BENEDICTOV, Central Moscow Youth Theatre
“…numerous, invaluable contributions…by himself or through the Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG), which have bestowed honors upon Iligan city and the Lanao area.” Citation by the LANAO PRESS AND RADIO-TV CLUB for the 1993 Community Leadership Award in the Arts and Culture.
