Pambansang Alagad ng Sining ng Pilipinas

The Pambansang Alagad ng Sining ng Pilipinas or the National Artist of the Philippines is the highest
recognition the Philippine government can give to a person of the arts. The award was created through
Presidential Proclamation No. 1001, s. 1972 to give recognition and respect to the citizens who have given
outstanding contribution to Philippine arts.

Criteria

First, an announcement will be made by the NCCA and the CCP acting as the Order of the National Artists
Award Secretariat, for the opening of nominations for the said award. Nominees should have the following
qualifications

1. The artist must be a Filipino citizen or at least at the time of the nomination. An artist who has passed on
can still be nominated as long as he/she was a Filipino before death

2. The artist should have contributed "in building a Filipino sense of nationhood" as seen in their works.

3. The artist should have led the way in a new and creative expression or style, separating themselves from
others and in turn influencing other generations of artists.

4. The artist's work should be noteworthy and an embodiment of excellence, further enriching his/her chosen
field of creative expression.

5. The artist should be critically acclaimed and accepted by legitimate institutions and peers.

Once qualified, the nominations will be studied and reviewed by the NCCA and CCP. They would then
submit their recommendations to the President of the Philippines. The President would release a
proclamation granting respective rank and title to the nominees. The awardees would be conferred in a
ceremony arranged by the NCCA and CCP secretariat.

Other than the prestigious recognition, National Artists also receive other benefits such as:

1. Title and rank of a National Artist

2. Medal bearing the insignia of National Artist as well as a citation

3. Cash gift of PHP100,000 to the living artist and PHP75,000 for those who were recognized after their
death, which will be given to the heir of the awardee

4. Monthly pension with medical and hospitalization benefits

5. Life insurance to those who are still qualified

6. State funeral and interment at the Libingan ng mga Bayani

7. Reserved place at state functions, awarding ceremonies, and cultural events

Fernando C. Amorsolo

Birth and death: May 30, 1892-April 24, 1972

Year awarded: 1972
Category: Painting
Place of birth: Paco, Manila

Amorsolo was posthumously recognized as the Philippines' first National Artist on April 28, 1972, four days
after his death.

He was given the title the "Grand Old Man of Philippine Art" for his influential style and technique that
has inspired generations of artists.

He is well-known for his genre paintings and landscapes and his idealized depiction of the dalagang Filipina.
His works often incorporate his trademark style of backlighting technique that makes the canvas feel alive
with the light.

Other than landscapes, his body of work includes portraitures. landscapes, sketches, historical paintings, and
advertising art.

Major works:

◆Maiden in a Stream (1921)

◆El Ciego (1928)
◆ Dalagang Bukid (1936)
◆Planting Rice (1946)
◆Sunday Morning Going to Town (1958)

Francisca Reyes-Aquino

Birth and death: March 9, 1899-November 21, 1983

Year awarded: 1973
Category: Dance
Place of birth: Bocaue, Bulacan

Francisca Reyes-Aquino is known as a dancer and researcher of Philippine folk dance. Her research titled
Philippine Folk Dances and Games documented local forms of celebrations and rituals that was published in
1926. It has been utilized for instruction for schools both public and private. This research made the Filipino
youth more knowledgeable of their cultural heritage. She received the Republic Award of Merit in 1954, and
the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1962 before being conferred to the Order of the National Artists in 1973.

Major works:
◆ Philippine Folk Dances and Games (1926)
◆ Philippine National Dance (1946)
◆ Gymnastics for Girls (1947)
◆ Philippine Folk Dances Vol. 1-6

Amado V. Hernandez

Birth and death: September 13, 103- May 24, 170

Year awarded: 173
Category: Literature
Place of birth: Hagonoy, Bulacan
Amado V. Hernandez was a writer and stalwart of the laborers. He believed that his art should act as a
conscience of society, correcting and calling attention to what is needed.

As a writer, he was one of the first who drew away from the flowery and ornate quality of the Tagalog
language and instead wrote in prose that is much closer to the everyday spoken language. His first major
work was his novel Mga Ibong Mandaragit, which was written while he was in prison. This novel bared the
problems of society. focusing on the land and farming problems during the 1950s.

He is also a critically acclaimed playwright and essayist. He was conferred the National Artist Award for
Literature posthumously in 1973.

Major works:

Novels
◆Mga Ibong Mandaragit (1969)
◆Luha ng Buwaya (1972)
◆Muntinlupa (1957)
◆Magkabilang Mukha ng Isang Bagol (1960)

Antonio J. Molina

Birth and death: December 26, 1894-January 29, 1980

Year awarded: 1973
Category: Music
Place of birth: Quiapo, Manila

Antonio J. Molina was a teacher, composer, and conductor. He is known for his impressionist style in music
and as part of the musical triumvirate of the Philippines that includes Nicanor Abelardo and
Francisco Santiago. He is acknowledged as a visionary of Philippine music, bringing it to the modern times.
His innovations include the pentatonic scale, linear counterpoints, and lively ninth and eleventh cords,
among others.

His talent in music can be seen at an early age, performing at the former Manila Grand Opera House as an
orchestra soloist. He wrote his first composition when he was 18 in 1912. It was titled Miniaturas Vol. 1. He
was a professor at the University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music, molding and influencing musical
icons such as Lucrecia Kasilag and Felipe de Leon.

Major works:
Orchestral music
◆ Ang Batingaw
◆Kundiman-Kundangan

Chamber music
◆ Hating Gabi
◆Kung sa lyong Gunita

Vocal music

◆Awit ni Maria Clara

◆ Larawan Nitong Pilipinas

Juan F. Nakpil
Birth and death: May 26, 1899-May 7, 1986
Year awarded: 1973
Category: Architecture
Place of birth: Quiapo, Manila

Juan F. Nakpil was a man of many talents. He was an artist, engineer, civic leader, and teacher. But he is
best known for his innovations in the field of Philippine architecture. His designs are both beautiful and
functional. His design principles reflect his belief in Philippine architecture, tradition, and culture. He was
awarded the title of National Artist in 1973.

Major works:
◆ Administration Building and Library, University of the Philippines. Diliman
◆Reconstruction of the Rizal Shrine
◆ Manila Jockey Club
◆ Old Humanities Building, UP Los Baños

Guillermo E. Tolentino

Birth and death: July 24, 1890-July 12, 1976

Year awarded: 1973
Category: Sculpture
Place of birth: Malolos City, Bulacan

Guillermo Tolentino was a premier sculptor and esteemed professor at the University of the Philippines,
Diliman. He specialized in commemorative sculptures of historical figures that are monumental and grand.

He received his training from the University of the Philippines School of Fine Arts and later at the Royal
Academy of Fine Arts in Rome. After returning, he became a professor at his alma mater and taught many
future stars of Philippine art. While teaching, he also created some of his most famous Bonifacio Monument
(1933) in Caloocan and the Oblation (1935) in the University of the Philippines, Diliman.

Major works:

◆Bonifacio Monument, Caloocan

◆Oblation, University of the Philippines, Diliman
◆Ramon Magsaysay statue at the GSIS building
◆Various bust sculptures of political and historical personalities