Order of National Artists: Filipino Arts Recognition

• The Order of National Artists is the highest recognition for Filipinos who significantly contributed to Philippine arts development.
• Established under Proclamation No. 1001 in 1972.
• The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) administer the award.
• The President of the Philippines grants the award every three years, based on recommendations from both institutions.

Objectives

• Recognizes Filipino artists with significant contributions to the country's cultural heritage.
• Acknowledges high-level artistic accomplishment that promotes creative expression for national identity development.
• Honors Filipino artists who dedicated their lives to inspire future generations.

Criteria for Selection

• Open to living, natural-born Filipino citizens at the time of nomination and posthumously to those who were citizens at the time of death after 1972.
• Dual citizens with at least five years of citizenship are eligible.
• Artists must contribute to building a Filipino sense of nationhood through their work's content and form.
• Pioneers in creative expression or style who have impacted succeeding generations are considered.
• Artists who made a substantial and significant body of work or consistently showed excellence in their art form, enriching artistic expression are recognized.
• Artists must have broad acceptance through prestigious national or international recognition or critical acclaim, and respect from peers.

Honors and Privileges

• Includes the rank and title of National Artist, proclaimed by the President.
• Awardees receive a gold-plated medallion from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and a citation.
• Living awardees get a minimum cash award of P200,000, while posthumous awardees get P150,000 for their legal heirs.
• Lifetime personal monthly stipend of P30,000 is given.
• Privileges effective January 1, 2013, include life insurance and state funeral benefits up to P500,000.
• Awardees are given a place of honor in state functions, national commemoration ceremonies, and cultural presentations.

National Artists - Architecture

• Pablo S. Antonio (1976) pioneered modern Philippine architecture, emphasizing function, natural light, and cross ventilation, his major works include buildings at Far Eastern University and the Manila Polo Club.
• Juan F. Nakpil (1973) was known as the "Dean of Filipino Architects" and espoused architecture reflecting Philippine traditions and culture, his works include the Rizal Theater and the reconstructed Rizal house in Calamba, Laguna.
• Ildefonso P. Santos (2006) known as the "Father of Philippine Landscape Architecture,” with works including Tagaytay Highland resort and Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club.
• Jose Maria V. Zaragoza (2014) became synonymous with modern ecclesiastical architecture, with works including the Meralco Building and Sto. Domingo Church.
• Leandro V. Locsin (1990) believed true Philippine architecture combines oriental and occidental cultures, using themes of floating volume in works like the Istana Nurul Iman (Sultan of Brunei's Palace) and the CCP Complex buildings.

National Artists - Visual Arts

Fernando Amorsolo (1972)

• The "Grand Old Man of Philippine Art" known for his backlighting technique.
• Notable works: Maiden in a Stream (1921) and Planting Rice (1946).

Cesar Legaspi (1990)

• A pioneer of "Neo-Realism," refining cubism in the Philippine context.
• Used geometric fragmentation and social commentary in works like Gadgets I and II.

Hernando Ocampo (1991)

• A self-taught painter known for bold depictions of Philippine landscapes.
• His masterpiece "Genesis" served as the basis for the CCP Main Theater's curtain design.

Arturo Luz (1997)

• Established the Luz Gallery and professionalized art galleries in the Philippines.
• Notable works: Bagong Taon and Black and White mural in the CCP.

Jose T. Joya (2003)

• Pioneered abstract expressionism in the Philippines.
• Known for an authentic Filipino abstract idiom, inspired by Philippine landscapes and folk art.

Benedicto Cabrera (2006)

• Noted as the best-selling painter of his generation.
• Known for the emblematic scavenger figure "Sabel," symbolizing dislocation and despair.

Federico Aguilar Alcuaz (2009)

• Painter and sculptor known for gestural paintings.
• Studied at the Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid.

Francisco Coching (2014)

• Acknowledged as the "King of Komiks."
• A central force in forming popular art form of comics.

Victorio Edades (1976)

• The “Father of Modern Philippine Painting”
• Unlike Amorsolo's cheerful hues, Edades' colors were dark and somber, his favorite subject matter are laborers, factory workers.

Guillermo Tolentino (1973)

• Hailed as the “Father of Philippine Arts.”
• Famously created the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan and the UP Oblation in Quezon City.

Vicente Manansala (1981)

• A cubist painter and illustrator from Macabebe, Pampanga, his paintings are “visions of reality teetering on the edge of abstraction."
• Studied in Paris and Los Angeles and his works include A Cluster of Nipa Hut and Madonna of the Slums.

Carlos "Botong" Francisco (1973)

• A poet from Angono who revived mural art and was known for historical pieces.
• Created Portrait of Purita and The Invasion of Limahong.

J. Elizalde Navarro (1999)

• A versatile artist from Antique with 40 years of devotion to visual arts.
• Mixed media works are I'm Sorry Jesus, I Can't Attend Christmas This Year and Homage to Dodjie Laurel.

Napoleon Abueva (1976)

• A native of Bohol considered as the “Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture."
• Adapted various materials and created Kaganapan (1953), Kiss of Judas (1955), and the UP Gateway (1967).

Ang Kiukok

• A painter from Davao City who fused cubism, surrealism, and expressionism.
• Known for subjects like fighting cocks and depictions of the crucified Christ.

Abdulmari Asia Imao (2006)

• A sculptor, painter, photographer, ceramist, documentary filmmaker, cultural researcher, writer, and articulator.
• He popularized indigenous ukkil, sarimanok, and naga motifs in his works.

National Artists - Fashion Design

Ramon Valera

• A fashion designer from Abra.
• His contribution lies in excellent work and committed to magical innovations on the Philippine terno.

National Artists - Literature

Jose Garcia Villa (1973)

• Considered one of the finest contemporary poets.
• He introduced reversed consonance rhyme scheme.

Nick Joaquin (1976)

• Considered the most distinguished Filipino writer in English.
• Enriched the English language and known for the "Joaquinesque" style.

Francisco Arcellana (1990)

• Pioneered the lyrical prose-poetic form in short stories.
• Believed fiction should render truth that presents reality.

Levi Celerio (1997)

• National Artist for Literature and Music.
• Made it to the Guinness Book of World Records as the only person able to make music using just a leaf.

Rolando S. Tinio (1997)

• National Artist for Theater and Literature.
• A playwright, thespian, poet, teacher, critic, and translator.

Alejandro Roces (2003)

• Considered the country's best writer of comic short stories.
• Was the champion of Filipino culture and was instrumental in popularizing local fiestas.

Cirilo F. Bautista (2014)

• A multi-awarded poet, fictionist, and essayist.
• The founder of the Philippine Literary Arts Council, Iligan National Writers Workshop, and the Baguio Writers Group.

Francisco Sionil Jose (2001)

• One of the most widely-read Filipino writers in the English language.
• His novels and short stories depict social underpinnings of class struggles and colonialism in our society.

Edith L. Tiempo (1999)

• A poet, fictionist, teacher, and literary critic.
• Founded the Siliman National Writers Workshop.

Amado V. Hernandez (1973)

• A poet, playwright, and novelist who believed that a writer acts as the conscience of society.
• Contributed to Tagalog prose using colloquial style.

Carlos P. Romulo (1982)

• was the first Asian president of the United Nations General Assembly, then Philippine Ambassador to Washington D.C., and minister of foreign affairs.
• The only Asian to win America's coveted Pulitzer Prize in Journalism.

Virgilio S. Almario (2003)

• chairman of the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino.
• Earliest pieces of literary criticism were collected in “Ang Makata sa Panahon ng Makina” now considered as the first book of literary criticism in Filipino.

Lazaro Francisco (2009)

• Master of the Tagalog Novel" contributed to Philippine literature and culture.
• Novels exposed tenancy system, exploitation of farmers, and foreign domination.

Bienvenido Lumbera (2006)

• Introduced Bagay poetry to Tagalog literature and pioneered creative fusion of fine arts and popular imagination.
• Tagalog Poetry, Tradition and Influences in its Development.

Nestor Vicente Madali Gonzalez (1997)

• Recognized for the First Commonwealth Literary Contest in 1940, the Republic Cultural Heritage Award in 1960, and the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining in 1990.
• Major works include The Winds of April, Seven Hills Away, the Bamboo Dancers, and A Grammar of Dreams and Other Stories.

National Artists - Historical Literature

Carlos Quirino (1997)

• President Ramos created historical literature a new category in the National Artist Awards and Quirino was its first recipient.
• Wrote “The Great Malayan” biography of Jose Rizal.

National Artists - Dance

Alice Reyes (2014)

• A dancer, choreographer, teacher, and director from Manila.
• Made a lasting impact on the development and promotion of contemporary dance in the Philippines.

Francisca Reyes Aquino (1973)

• Known as the “Mother of Philippine Folk Dancing.”
• Researched and wrote about unrecorded local celebrations and rituals.

Ramon Obusan (2006)

• A dancer, choreographer, stage designer, artistic director and an acclaimed archivist, researcher, and documentary filmmaker.
• Work focused on promoting Philippine traditional dance and cultural work.

Lucrecia Reyes-Urtula (1988)

• She spends almost four (4) decades in the discovery and study of Philippine folk and ethnic dances.
• She became the dance director of Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company and choreographed collections of mountain dances.

Leonor Orosa-Goquingco (1976)

• Dubbed “Trailblazer,” “Mother of Philippine Theater Dance” and “Dean of Filipino Performing Arts Critics".
• Produced original choreographies like TREND: Return to Native and Filipinescas: Philippine Life, Legend and Lore.

National Artists - Music

Antonio J. Molina (1973)

• Known for innovations such as the whole tone scale, pentatonic scale, and linear counterpoints.
• Most familiar is Hating Gabi, a serenade.

Honorata “Atang” de la Rama (1987)

• National Artist for Theater and Music.
• “Queen of Kundiman" believes the sarswela and the kundiman express the Filipino soul.

Jose Maceda (1997)

• A composer, musicologist, teacher, and performer.
• Experiment freed Filipino musical expression from European culture.

Andrea Veneracion (1999)

• Known as choirmaster and choral singer.
• Founded the Philippine Madrigal Singers.

Ramon Santos (2014)

• Foremost exponent of contemporary Filipino music.
• Contributed to the quest for new directions in music.

Lucrecia Roces Kasilag (1989)

• Instrumental in developing Philippine music and culture.
• Founded the Bayanihan Folk Arts Center for research and theatrical presentations.

Antonio R. Buenaventura (1988)

• Pursued musical career, committed to advancement of Philippine music.
• Joined Francisca Reyes Aquino to conduct research.

Felipe Padilla de Leon (1997)

• Filipinized western music forms.
• Marches, and concertos expressed sentiments of the Filipino in times of strife and peace.

Ernani J. Cuenco (1999)

• Brought contemporary Filipino music to a higher level.
• Enriched the Filipino love ballad by adding elements of kundiman.

Lucio D. San Pedro (1991)

• Work with town bands significantly contributed to the development of civic culture in Filipino communities.
• Popular for contributions such as Sa Ugoy ng Duyan.

Francisco Feliciano (2014)

• Elevated Filipino artistry to be esteemed internationally by bringing universal awareness of Asian culture in his works.
• Works include Ashen Wings, La Loba Negra, Yerma, and Pamugun.

Jovita Fuentes (1976)

• known for her portrayal of Cio-cio San in Giacomo Puccini’s Madame Butterfly in Italy.
• Her performance was hailed as the “most sublime interpretation of the part” and place the Philippines on the map.

National Artists - Film

Gerardo De Leon (1982)

• awarded film director in the history of Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Awards.
• He produced classics such as Daigdig ng Mga Api.

Ishmael Bernal (2001)

• Critics have hailed Bernal as “the genius of Philippine cinema.
• Films that serve as social commentaries and bold reflections on the existing realities of the struggle of the Filipino.

Roland Allan K. Poe (2006)

• cultural icon of tremendous audience impact and cinema artist and craftsman
• As actor, director, writer, and producer his films such Apollo Robles.

Lino Brocka (1997)

• Widely regarded as one of the most influential and significant Filipino filmmakers.
• He served Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) and the Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP).

Manuel Conde (2009)

• Known for directing films based on Filipino tales, such as Siete Infantes de Lara and Ibong Adarna.
• Dared to recreate on screen narratives of world history literature.

Lamberto V. Avellana (1976)

• Known as “The Boy Wonder of Philippine Movies,”
• Was the first to use the motion picture to establish a point-of-view.

Eddie Romero (2003)

• One of the finest in the cinema of the Philippines
• His body of work delved into history and politics.

National Artists - Theater

Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero (1997)

• director of UP Dramatic Club for 16 years
• theorist campus tour to experience the basic grammar of staging and acting.

Salvador F. Bernal (2003)

• "Guru of contemporary Filipino theater design,”
• designed more than 300 productions.

Severino Montano (2001)

• Forerunner in institutionalizing “legitimate theater” in the Philippines.
• Organized the Arena Theater to bring drama to the masses.

Daisy Avellana

• Co-founded the Barangay Theater Guild, which gave way for the popularization of theater and dramatic arts in the country.