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National Artists of the Philippines

National Artist Award

The National Artist Award is the highest recognition given to Filipino artists. It
recognizes the significant contributions to the country's cultural heritage.

The award was established through Presidential Proclamation No.

1001, s, 1972.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural
Center of the Philippines (CCP) jointly administer the award.

Process of Nomination and Conferment

1. NCCA and CCP announce the opening for nominations.
2. A list of nominations is submitted.
3. The NCCA and CCP screen and deliberate on the recommendations.
4. The recommendations are submitted to the President.
5. The President issues a proclamation conferring the rank and title.
6. The Order of National Artists is conferred during ceremonies.

Eligibility Criteria
The artist must be a Filipino citizen at the time of nomination, including
posthumous nominations.

The artist should have contributed to building a Filipino sense of nationhood

through their works.

The artist should have:

Led the way in new and creative expression of style.

Created work that is a noteworthy embodiment of excellence.
Received critical acclaim and acceptance by legitimate institutions and
peers.

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Benefits of the Award

Benefit Details

Title and Rank National Artist

Medal and Citation Insignia of National Artist
Cash Gift (Living) P200,000.00
Cash Gift (Posthumous) P150,000.00 (to the heir)
Monthly Pension P50,000.00
Medical and Hospitalization Benefits Not exceeding P750,000.00 per year
Life Insurance

National Artists for Painting

Fernando Amorsolo (1972)

First National Artist of the Philippines.
Known as the Grand Old Man of Philippine Art.
Developed the backlighting technique.
His works defined and perpetuated a distinct element of the nation's artistic
and cultural heritage.
Notable work: Antipolo, depicting Filipinos celebrating a town fiesta.

Carlos "Botong" Francisco (1973)

The Poet of Angono.
Revived the art of mural painting.
His murals turned fragments of the historic past into vivid records.
City Hall of Manila is graced by his murals.

Victorio C. Edades (1976)

Paints distorted human figures in rough, bold impasto strokes.
Emerged as the Father of Modern Philippine Painting.

Vicente Silva Manansala (1981)

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His paintings are described as visions of reality teetering on the edge of

abstraction.
Revealed talent through copies he made of the Sagrada Familia and his
mother's portrait.
Notable work: Mother and Child, 1967

Jerry Navarro Elizalde (1999)

Versatile artist, proficient in both painting and sculpture.
His devotion to the visual arts spans 40 years.

Jose Joya (2003)

Painter and multimedia artist.
Created an authentic Filipino abstract idiom that transcended foreign
influences.
His paintings were inspired by Philippine landscapes.
Use of rice paper in collages placed value on transparency.

Cesar Legaspi (1990)

A pioneer Neo-Realist of the country.
Refined cubism in the Philippine context.
Notable work: Combancheros, 1954

Hernando R. Ocampo (1991)

A self-taught painter.
Leading member of the pre-war Thirteen Moderns.
His abstract works left an indelible mark on Philippine modern art.
His canvases evoked the lush Philippine landscape in fierce and bold colors.
Notable work: Genesis. 1969 Ocampo's acknowledged masterpiece Genesis
served as the basis of the curtain design of the Cultural Center of the
Philippines Main Theater.

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Arturo Luz (1997)

A painter, sculptor, and designer for more than 40 years.
Created masterpieces that exemplify an ideal of sublime austerity in expression
and form.
Works elevated Filipino aesthetic vision to new heights of sophisticated
simplicity.

Ang Kiukok (Ang Hwa Shing) (2001)

Born to immigrant Chinese parents.
One of the most vital and dynamic figures who emerged during the 60s.
Blazed a formal and iconographic path of his own through expressionistic
works.

Benedicto R. Cabrera (BenCab) (2006)

Upheld the primacy of drawing over the decorative color.
His solitary figures of scavengers emerging from a dark landscape were
piercing stabs at the social conscience.
The emblematic scavenger figure is named Sabel, a melancholic symbol of
dislocation, despair, and isolation.

Abdulmari Asia Imao (2006)

A native of Sulu.
A sculptor, painter, photographer, ceramist, documentary filmmaker, cultural
researcher, writer.
Popularized the indigenous ukkil, sarimanok, and naga motifs.

Federico Aguilar Alcuaz (2009)

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An artist of voluminous output.

Known mainly for his gestural paintings in acrylic and oil, as well as sketches in
ink, watercolor and pencil.
Also a sculptor of note.
Used his maternal name for practical reasons.

Francisco V. Coching (2014)

Acknowledged as the Dean of Filipino Illustrators.
A master storyteller in images and in print.
Synthesized images and stories informing Philippine folk and popular
imagination of culture.
A central force in the formation of comics.

National Artists for Sculpture

Guillermo E. Tolentino (1973)

A product of the Revival period in Philippine art.
His masterpiece, The Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan, stands as an enduring
symbol of the Filipinos cry for freedom.
Created the UP Oblation, the symbol of freedom at the campus.

Napoleon V. Abueva (1976)

The youngest National Artist awardee at 46.
Considered the Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture.
Being adept in either academic representational style or modern abstract.
Introduced buoyant sculpture, meant to be appreciated from the surface of a
placid pool.

National Artists for Dance

Francisca R. Aquino (1973)

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Acknowledged as the Folk Dance Pioneer.

Her research resulted in a 1926 thesis titled Philippine Folk Dances and
Games.
Her books include Philippine National Dances (1946); Gymnastics for Girls
(1947); Fundamental Dance Steps and Music (1948); Foreign Folk Dances
(1949); Dances for all Occasion (1950); Playground Demonstration (1951); and
Philippine Folk Dances, Volumes I to VI.

Leonor O. Goquingco (1976)

Dubbed the Trailblazer, Mother of Philippine Theater Dance and Dean of
Filipino Performing Arts Critics.
Pioneer Filipino choreographer in balletic folkloric and Asian styles.
Her most ambitious work is the dance epic Filipinescas: Philippine Life, Legend
and Lore.

Lucrecia R. Urtula (1988)

A choreographer, dance educator, and researcher.
Spent almost four decades in the discovery and study of Philippine folk and
ethnic dances.

Ramon A. Obusan (2006)

A dancer, choreographer, stage designer, and artistic director.
Achieved phenomenal success in Philippine dance and cultural work.
Broadened and deepened the Filipino understanding of his own cultural life and
expressions.

Alice Reyes (2014)

Her dance legacy is evident in the dance companies, teachers, choreographers,
and the exciting Filipino modern dance repertoire.

National Artists for Literature

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Amado V. Hernandez (1973)

A poet, playwright, and novelist.
Practiced committed art.
Stripped Tagalog of its ornate character and wrote in prose closer to the
colloquial.
Notable work: Mga Ibong Mandaragit, the first Filipino socio-political novel.

Jose Garcia Villa (1973)

Considered one of the finest contemporary poets regardless of race or
language.
Introduced the reversed consonance rime scheme and the comma poems.

Nick M. Joaquin (1976)

Regarded by many as the most distinguished Filipino writer in English.
Explored the Philippine colonial past under Spain and his probing into the
psychology of social changes.
Used the nome de guerre Quijano de Manila as a journalist.

Carlos P. Romulo (1982)

His multifaceted career spanned 50 years of public service.
First Asian president of the United Nations General Assembly.
Wrote and published 18 books, including The United (novel) and I Walked
with Heroes (autobiography).

Francisco Arcellana (1990)

One of the most important progenitors of the modern Filipino short story in
English.
Pioneered the development of the short story as a lyrical prose-poetic form.

Nestor Vicente Madali Gonzalez (1997)

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Better known as N.V.M. Gonzalez.

Fictionist, essayist, poet, and teacher.
Articulated the Filipino spirit in rural, urban landscapes.

Carlos Quirino (1997)

National Artist for Historical Literature.
Wrote one of the earliest biographies of Jose Rizal titled The Great Malayan.

Edith L. Tiempo (1999)

A poet, fictionist, teacher, and literary critic.
Her works are characterized by a remarkable fusion of style and substance.

F. Sionil Jose (2001)

His writings can be described as epic.
Consistent espousal of the aspirations of the Filipino for national sovereignty
and social justice.
Notable work: Rosales saga, consisting of The Pretenders, Tree, My Brother, My
Executioner, Mass, and Po-on.

Virgilio S. Almario (2003)

Also known as Rio Alma.
A poet, literary historian, and critic.
Revived and reinvented traditional Filipino poetic forms.

Alejandro R. Roces (2003)

A short story writer and essayist.
Considered the country's best writer of comic short stories.
Known for his widely anthologized My Brothers Peculiar Chicken.

Bienvenido Lumbera (2006)

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A poet, librettist, and scholar.

Introduced Bagay poetry to Tagalog literature.
As a librettist for the Tales of the Manuvu and Rama Hari, he pioneered the
creative fusion of fine arts and popular imagination.

Lazaro Francisco (2009)

Prize-winning writer.
Developed the social realist tradition in Philippine fiction.
His novels exposed the evils of the tenancy system.

Cirilo F. Bautista (2014)

A poet, fictionist, and essayist.
With exceptional achievements and significant contributions to the
development of the country's literary arts.

National Artists for Music

Antonio J. Molina (1973)

Versatile musician, composer, and music educator.
Introduced innovations such as the whole tone scale, pentatonic scale, and
linear counterpoints.

Jovita Fuentes (1976)

Portrayed Cio-cio san in Giacomo Puccinis Madame Butterfly at Italys Teatro
Municipale di Piacenza.
Her performance was hailed as the most sublime interpretation of the part.

Antonino R. Buenaventura (1988)

Vigorously pursued a musical career that spanned seven decades.
Composed songs, compositions, for solo instruments as well as symphonic and
orchestral works based on the folksongs of various Philippine ethnic groups.

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Lucresia R. Kasilag (1989)

As educator, composer, performing artist, administrator and cultural
entrepreneur.
Pioneering task to discover the Filipino roots through ethnic music and fusing it
with Western influences.
Dared to incorporate indigenous Filipino instruments in orchestral productions.

Lucio D. San Pedro (1991)

A master composer, conductor, and teacher.
His music evokes the folk elements of the Filipino heritage.

Felipe P. De Leon (1997)

Composer, conductor, and scholar.
Filipinized western music forms.

Jose M. Maceda (1997)

Composer, musicologist, teacher, and performer.
Explored the musicality of the Filipino deeply.

Levi Celerio (1997)

A prolific lyricist and composer for decades.

National Artists for Music

Antonio Molina (1973)

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A versatile musician: composer, conductor, music educator.

One of the "Triumvirate of Filipino Composers".
Dean of Filipino composers.
Last of the romantics.
First National Artist for Music.
Known for innovations:
Use of whole-tone scale.
Pentatonic scale.
Diminished chords.

Jovita Fuentes (1976)

Noted for portrayal of Cio-cio San in Madame Butterfly.
"An outstanding interpreter of grand opera roles" - New York Herald Tribune.

Honorata "Atang" dela Rama (1987)

Queen of Kundiman.
First actress in the first locally produced Filipino film (sarsuela film version).
Performed kundiman for various indigenous groups.

Antonino R. Buenaventura (1988)

Restorer of band music.
Promoted Philippine music using native musical instruments.

Lucio San Pedro (1991)

Composer, conductor, and teacher.
Incorporated Philippine folk elements in compositions.
Creative nationalist.

Felipe Padilla de León (1997)

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Composer, conductor, and scholar.

Adapted folk songs into orchestral and vocal works.
Wrote operas, including Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

Levi Celerio (1997)

Composer and lyricist.
Wrote lyrics for traditional melodies.
Guinness Book of World Records for making music with a leaf.

Andrea O. Veneracion (1999)

Choirmaster and choral arranger.
Founded the Philippine Madrigal Singers.
Spearheaded the development of Philippine choral music.

Ernani J. Cuenco (1999)

Composer, film scorer, musical director, and music teacher.
Works resonate with the Filipino sense of musicality.

Francisco F. Feliciano (2014)

Composer, conductor, and educator.
Brought out the Asianness in his music.
Elevated Filipino artistry.

Ramon P. Santos (2014)

Composer, conductor, and musicologist.
Exponent of contemporary Filipino music.
Quest for new directions in music using non-Western traditions.

National Artists for Film/Cinema

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Lamberto V. Avellana (1976)

Director for theater and film.
"The Boy Wonder of Philippine Movies."
Revolutionized film narration by using the motion picture camera to establish a
point-of-view.
Founded the Barangay Theater Guild.

Manuel Conde (2009)

Actor, director, and producer.
Invested local cinema with a distinct cultural history.
Directed and/or produced movies based on famous metrical romances.

Gerardo de Leon (1982)

Film director.
Grew up in an atmosphere rich in theater.
First job was as a piano player at Cine Moderno.

Lino O. Brocka (1997)

Director for film and broadcast arts.
Espoused freedom of expression.
Films portrayed marginalized sectors of society.
Directed for theater and served in alternative organizations.

Ishmael Bernal (2001)

Filmmaker.
Genius of Philippine cinema.
Films served as social commentaries.

Eddie S. Romero (2003)

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Screenwriter, film director, and producer.

Devoted to the art and commerce of cinema.

Fernando Poe Jr. (2006)

Actor, director, writer, and producer.
Cultural icon.
Films projected the image of the underdog and the mythical hero.

National Artists for Architecture

Juan F. Nakpil (1973)

Architect, teacher, and civic leader.
Pioneer and innovator in Philippine architecture.
Espoused architecture reflective of Philippine traditions and culture.

Pablo S. Antonio (1976)

Pioneered modern Philippine architecture.

Grounded on simplicity and function. Maximum use of natural light and

cross ventilation.

Leandro V. Locsin (1990)

Reshaped the urban landscape.
Distinctive architecture reflective of Philippine Art and Culture.

Synthesis of oriental and occidental cultures. Themes of floating volume.

Ildefonso P. Santos (2006)

Pioneered the practice of landscape architecture in the Philippines.

Jose Maria V. Zaragoza (2014)

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Modern ecclesiastical architecture.

Excelled in secular works.

National Artists for Theater

Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero (1997)

Teacher and theater artist.
Produced luminaries in Philippine performing arts.
Pioneered the concept of theater campus tour.

Rolando S. Tinio (1997)

Playwright, thespian, poet, teacher, critic, and translator.
Stage director known for visual impact and intellectual cogency.
Revived traditional Filipino drama.

Daisy H. Avellana (1999)

Actor, director, and writer.
Elevated legitimate theater and dramatic arts.
Co-founded the Barangay Theatre Guild.

Severino R. Montano (2001)

Playwright, director, actor, and theater organizer.
Forerunner in institutionalizing legitimate theater in the Philippines.
Organized the Arena Theater.

Salvador F. Bernal (2003)

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National artist for theater design.

Designed more than 300 productions distinguished for their originality since
1969.
Harnessed the design potential of inexpensive local materials.
Acknowledged guru of contemporary Filipino theater design.
Organized the PATDAT (Philippine Association of Theatre Designers and
Technicians) in 1995.

National Artist for Fashion Design

Ramon O. Valera (2006)

The contribution of Ramon Valera lies in the tradition of excellence of his works,
and his committment to his profession, performing his magical seminal
innovations on the Philippine terno.
Gave the country its visual icon to the world via the terno.
Produced a single piece of clothing from a four-piece ensemble.
Unified the components of the barot saya into a single dress.
Constructed the ternos butterfly sleeves, giving them a solid, built-in but hidden
support.

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