Spain Awards Solidarios 2025 for Social Contribution

Last Thursday, journalist Ana Iris Simón, humorist Álvaro Casares, Amenábar's film 'El cautivo' and actress Ana Obregón received the 2025 Solidarios Awards from the Vinos de Denominación de Origen La Mancha. As the organization informed in a press release, the aim is to highlight the talent of individuals in the fields of sports, communication, or performing arts who act altruistically, as the prize amount (5,000 euros) is destined for NGOs or associations chosen by the laureates themselves. Carlos David Bonilla, president of the Interprofessional CRDO La Mancha, stated that the laureates «are an example and an incentive for society in its different facets». The check for 5,000 euros went to UNRWA España, the UN agency that works with Palestinian refugees. Álvaro Casares, the Solidarity Award winner in 'Performing Arts', emphasized that «Manchego humor is sarcastic, but unique, like the wines of La Mancha». «I dedicate this prize to my grandfather Vicente, a farmer, who sometimes seem invisible but who embody that Manchego landscape», he said. The actor and comedian from Villamayor de Calatrava (Ciudad Real), currently on tour with his show 'Check, un show bien', donated his award to the AMAI TLP Foundation, which for 25 years has focused on supporting people with borderline personality disorder and their families. 'El Cautivo' by Alejandro Amenábar received the Solidarity Award for the Arts. Its director, who could not attend, stated in a video that he would «love» for this film to help spread the word about La Mancha around the world. The 5,000 euros from this prize were also donated to UNRWA ESPAÑA. Finally, Ana Obregón received the Honorary Solidarity Award and was one of the most emotional moments of the Gala. «I dedicate this award to the love of life that is in heaven and on earth», she said. For his part, the president of the Ciudad Real Provincial Deputation, Miguel Ángel Valverde, affirmed that «La Mancha wine has become a symbol of our hidalgo knight». The event, hosted once again by Antena 3 journalist and presenter Lorena García, was agile, with moments of humor and contained emotions, as well as gratitude in the speeches of the chosen associations and NGOs. Award winners: The young journalist Ana Iris Simón, from Campo de Criptana, was the first to take the stage to receive the Solidarity Award in the communicative category. «My career matters little to me, it is the value of people that endures». Her award was from the first moment destined to the memory of her deceased son Aless Lequio, whose foundation collected the 5,000 euros of the Prize for a greater involvement in the research of Ewing's sarcoma and other rare cancers that affect young people, adolescents, and children. In the Professional Awards section, DO La Mancha recognized the career of the sommelier Antonio Vizcaíno, approaching his retirement, for his teaching experience training professionals at the Higher School of Hospitality and Tourism of Madrid, and the Restaurant of the Year Award was for Las Musas, in Campo de Criptana (Ciudad Real). The Counselor Spokesperson of Castilla-La Mancha, Esther Padilla, closed the event assuring that «the Denominación de Origen La Mancha has not only successfully promoted wine, but has also built a region with these Awards».