Lesson 3.
The Order of National Artist
The national artist-is a distinguished Filipino artist who have made significant contributions to the cultural heritage of
the country; an individual whose artistic accomplishment is at its highest level promoting creative expression and
national cultural identity, an artist who has dedicated his life and works to forge new paths and directions for future
generations of Filipino artists.
On Becoming a National Artist
The Order of National Artists also known as Orden ng mga Pambansang Alagad ng Sining was created by virtue of a
Presidential Proclamation No. 1001 dated April 27, 1972 to give appropriate recognition and prestige to Filipinos who
have distinguished themselves and made outstanding contributions to Philippine arts and letters. The first award was
conferred posthumously later that year on Fernando Amorsolo.
The deserving individual should be recommended by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) as well as by the
National Center for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Acting as the Order of the National Artists Award Secretariat (ONAA)
shall plan, organize, and implement the Order of National Artist Award. The award is given during a ceremony at the
Malacanang Palace and awarded by the Philippine President who provides the insignia of the order as this recognition is
based on the creativity, imagination, technical proficiency with the highest degree uniquely expressing Filipino culture,
traditions as well as their aspirations.
As reiterated by the Commission, the Order of National Artists aims to recognize the following:
1. Filipino artists who have made significant contributions to the cultural heritage of the country.
2. Filipino artistic accomplishment at its highest level and to promote creative expression as significant to the
development of a national cultural identity.
3. Filipino artists who have dedicated their lives to their works to forge new paths and directions for future
generations of Filipino artists.
The reward of being conferred as a National Artist:
1. The rank and title of National Artist, as proclaimed by the President of the Philippines;
2. The National Artist gold-plated medallion minted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and citation;
3. Lifetime emolument, material and physical benefits such as a minimum cash award of Two Hundred Thousand
Pesos (P 200,000) for living awardees; minimum cash award of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (P150,000),
for posthumous awardees; Life insurance coverage for Awardees who are still insurable; A State Funeral benefit
not exceeding P500,000.
4. A place of honor in state functions, national commemoration ceremonies and all other cultural presentations.
The Criteria for the Selection of a National Artist
1. Living artists who are natural-born Filipino citizens at the time of nomination, as well as those who died after the
establishment of the award in 1972 but were Filipino citizens at the time of their death.
2. Artist who thought the content and form of their works have contributed in building a Filipino sense of
nationhood.
3. Artists who have pioneered in a mode of creative expression or style, thus, earning distinction and making an
impact on succeeding generations of artists.
4. Artists who have created a substantial and significant body of works and/or consistently displayed excellence in
the practice of their art from thus enriching artistic expression or style.
5. Artists who enjoy broad acceptance through prestigious national and/or international recognition; critical
acclaim and/or reviews of their works and finally respect and esteem from peers.
Candidate may be nominated under one or more of the ff categories:
1. Dance 2. Music 3. Theatre 4. Visual arts 5. Literature 6. Film and Broadcast Arts 7. Architecture, Design
and Allied Arts
Seatwork # 2 (1/2 crosswise)
1. If you will become an artist, what field are you going to choose?
______________________________________________________
2. What made you choose such art form?
______________________________________________________
3. Do you think you can excel in such art? Why?
______________________________________________________
Group Activity (next week)
On a clean, white cartolina create a poster expressing your groups commitment to the ideals of promoting and
preserving Philippine Art and Culture. Present to the class by showing your poster, explain it as well.
