Order of National Artists in the Philippines

• The Order of National Artists provides national recognition for Filipinos who have significantly contributed to the development of Philippine arts.
• Proclamation No. 1001, s. 1972 established the Order of National Artists.
• The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) administer the award.
• The President of the Philippines grants the award every three years based on recommendations from the NCCA and CCP.

Objectives

• The Order of National Artists aims to recognize Filipino artists who have significantly contributed to the cultural heritage of the country.
• The Order of National Artists promotes Filipino artistic accomplishment at its highest level and creative expression for national identity development.
• The Order of National Artists honors Filipino artists who have dedicated their lives to their works, forging new paths for future generations.

Selection Criteria

• The Order of National Artists is given to living natural-born Filipino citizens at the time of nomination.
• It can also be awarded to those who died after 1972 but were Filipino citizens at the time of their death.
• Filipinos who have lost and re-acquired citizenship via dual citizenship, with at least five years of dual citizenship, are eligible for nomination.
• Nominees should have contributed to building a Filipino sense of nationhood through their works' content and form.
• Nominees should have pioneered a mode of creative expression or style, earning distinction and impacting succeeding generations.
• People nominated should have created a substantial and significant body of works and/or consistently displayed excellence in their art form.
• Nominees should enjoy broad acceptance through national and/or international recognition, like the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining, CCP Thirteen Artists Award, and NCCA Alab ng Haraya.
• Critical acclaim/reviews and respect from peers are also considered.

Honors and Privileges

• The rank and title of National Artist, is proclaimed by the President of the Philippines.
• A National Artist gold-plated medallion is minted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and citation.
• Lifetime emolument and material and physical benefits comparable in value to those received by the highest officers of the land.
• Living awardees receive a minimum cash award of P200,000.00 (net of taxes).
• Posthumous awardees' legal heirs receive P150,000.00 (net of taxes).
• A minimum lifetime personal monthly stipend of P30,000.00 is given.
• Privileges are effective January 1, 2013.
• Life insurance coverage for awardees who are still insurable.
• A State Funeral benefit not exceeding P500,000.00.
• A place of honor, in line with protocular precedence, in state functions, national commemoration ceremonies, and cultural presentations.

The National Artists

• The source is ncca.gov.ph, 2015.

Architecture

National Capital Region

• Pablo S. Antonio (1976), born in Binondo, Manila, pioneered modern Philippine architecture.
• Antonio emphasized function, natural light, and cross ventilation in his designs.
• Antonio's works include the Far Eastern University Administration and Science buildings, Manila Polo Club, Ideal Theater, and Galaxy Theater.
• Juan F. Nakpil (1973), born in Quiapo, Manila, was known as the "Dean of Filipino Architects."
• Nakpil espoused architecture reflective of Philippine traditions and culture.
• Nakpil's works include the Geronimo de los Reyes Building, Magsaysay Building, Rizal Theater, and the rebuilt Rizal house in Calamba, Laguna.
• Ildefonso P. Santos (2006), born in Malabon, Manila, is considered the "Father of Philippine Landscape Architecture."
• Santos' works include Tagaytay Highland resort, Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club, and Orchard Gold and Country Club.

Region 3 – Central Luzon

• Jose Maria V. Zaragoza (2014), from Guagua, Pampanga, became synonymous with modern ecclesiastical architecture.
• Zaragoza's works include the Meralco Building, Sto. Domingo Church, Metropolitan Cathedral of Cebu City, and Villa San Miguel Church.

Region 18 – Negros Island

• Leandro V. Locsin (1990), born in Silay, Negros Occidental, believed true Philippine Architecture combines oriental and occidental cultures.
• Locsin used themes of floating volume, light and heavy duality, buoyant and massive elements.
• Locsin's largest work is the Istana Nurul Iman, the palace of the Sultan of Brunei.
• He designed CCP Complex buildings: the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Folk Arts Theater, and Philippine International Convention Center.

Visual Arts

National Capital Region

• Fernando Amorsolo (1972), born in Paco, Manila, known as the "Grand Old Man of Philippine Art."
• Amorsolo was the first to be awarded as National Artist and was known for his backlighting technique.
• Cesar Legaspi (1990) was a pioneer "Neo-Realist" who refined cubism in the Philippine context.
• Legaspi used geometric fragmentation, weaving social comment and the mythical with the modern.
• Hernando Ocampo (1991) was a self-taught painter from Sta. Cruz, Manila, who evoked the Philippine landscape in bold colors.
• Ocampo played a pivotal role in sustaining the Philippine Art Gallery and his masterpiece "Genesis" inspired the CCP Main Theater's curtain.
• Arturo Luz (1997) established the Luz Gallery, professionalizing art galleries.
• Luz's mural, Black and White, is in the CCP's Bulwagang Carlos V. Francisco.
• Jose T. Joya (2003) pioneered abstract expressionism and created a Filipino abstract idiom.
• Benedicto Cabrera (2006) from Malabon, is known as the best-selling painter of his generation.
• Federico Aguilar Alcuaz (2009) was a painter and sculptor from Sta. Cruz, Manila, known for gestural paintings in acrylic and oil.
• Francisco Coching (2014), born in Buting, Pasig, was the "King of Komiks" and "Dean of Filipino Illustrators."

Region 1 – Ilocos Region

• Victorio Edades (1976), the "Father of Modern Philippine Painting," grew up in Barrio Bolosan, Dagupan.
• Edades' colors were dark and somber, focusing on laborers in dirt, sweat, and grime.

Region 3 - Central Luzon

• Guillermo Tolentino (1973), born in Malolos, Bulacan, is hailed as the "Father of Philippine Arts."
• Tolentino's works include the Bonifacio Monument and the UP Oblation.

Region 4A – CALABARZON

• Carlos "Botong" Francisco (1973) from Angono revived mural art and was best known for his historical pieces.

Region 6 – Western Visayas

• J. Elizalde Navarro (1999), born in Antique, was a versatile artist in painting, sculpting, printmaking, and graphic design.

Region 7 – Central Visayas

• Napoleon Abueva (1976), from Bohol, was the youngest awardee and considered the "Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture."
• Abueva utilized various materials from hard wood to metal for his sculptures.

Region 11 – Davao

• Ang Kiukok, born Ang Hwa Shing, was a painter from Davao City known for fusing cubism, surrealism, and expressionism.
• Kiukok favored subjects like fighting cocks and people in rage and painted the crucified Christ.

Region 15 – Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao

• Abdulmari Asia Imao (2006), a native of Sulu, was a sculptor, painter, photographer, ceramist, filmmaker, and cultural researcher.
• Imao popularized indigenous ukkil, sarimanok, and naga motifs.

Fashion Design

Region 14 – Cordillera Administrative Region

• Ramon Valera was a fashion designer from Abra, contributing excellence and innovation to the Philippine terno.

Literature

National Capital Region

• Jose Garcia Villa (1973) is considered one of the finest contemporary poets and introduced reversed consonance rhyme.
• Nick Joaquin (1976) is a distinguished Filipino writer in English and enriched English with "Joaquinesque."
• Francisco Arcellana (1990) pioneered the short story as lyrical prose-poetry, emphasizing truth and reality in fiction.
• Levi Celerio (1997) was a prolific lyricist and composer and is the only person in the Guinness Book of World Records for making music with a leaf.
• Rolando S. Tinio (1997) was a playwright, thespian, poet and is the sole inventor of "Taglish" in Philippine poetry
• Alejandro Roces (2003) is the country's best writer of comic short stories and championed Filipino culture, leading to changes in Independence Day and language use on passports.
• Cirilo F. Bautista (2014) is a multi-awarded poet, fictionist, and essayist, and established literary arts organizations.

Region 1 – Ilocos Region

• Francisco Sionil Jose (2001) is a widely-read Filipino writer in English, depicting social class struggles.

Region 2 - Cagayan Valley

• Edith L. Tiempo (1999) is a poet, fictionist and critic and founded the Siliman National Writers Workshop.

Region 3 – Central Luzon

• Amado V. Hernandez (1973) was a poet, playwright, and novelist, using colloquial style to develop Tagalog prose.

Region 4A – CALABARZON

• Bienvenido Lumbera (2006) introduced Bagay poetry to Tagalog literature and pioneered creative fusion as a librettist.

Region 4B – MIMAROPA

• Nestor Vicente Madali Gonzalez (1997) is a fictionist, essayist, poet, and teacher, earning numerous literary awards.

Historical Literature

National Capital Region

• Carlos Quirino (1997) created the category in the National Artist Awards.
• He wrote "The Great Malayan" and other books spanning Philippine history.

Dance

National Capital Region

• Alice Reyes (2014) is a dancer, choreographer, and director, impacting contemporary dance development.

Region 3 – Central Luzon

• Francisca Reyes Aquino (1973), the "Mother of Philippine Folk Dancing," researched and promoted Philippine folk dances.

Region 5 – Bicol Region

• Ramon Obusan (2006) is a dancer, choreographer, and researcher promoting Philippine traditional dance and culture.

Region 6 - Western Visayas

• Lucrecia Reyes-Urtula (1988) spent decades studying Philippine folk and ethnic dances, choreographing for the Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company.

Region 15 – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

• Leonor Orosa-Goquingco (1976) was dubbed "Trailblazer" and "Mother of Philippine Theater Dance", producing original choreographies and bringing native folk dance to its highest stage.

Music

National Capital Region

• Antonio J. Molina (1973) introduced musical innovations; his most familiar composition is Hating Gabi.
• Honorata “Atang” de la Rama (1987), honored as the "Queen of Kundiman," believed that sarswela and kundiman express the Filipino soul.
• Jose Maceda (1997) was a composer, musicologist, teacher, and performer who enlightened scholars about Philippine traditional and ethnic music.
• Andrea Veneracion (1999) founded the Philippine Madrigal Singers and developed choral music in the Philippines.
• Ramon Santos (2014) is a foremost exponent of contemporary Filipino music, incorporating non-Western traditions.

Region 1 – Ilocos Region

• Lucrecia Roces Kasilag (1989) was instrumental in developing Philippine music and culture, founding the Bayanihan Folk Arts Center.

Region 3 – Central Luzon

• Antonio R. Buenaventura (1988) pursued a musical career, joining Francisca Reyes Aquino to popularize folksongs and dances.

Region 4A – CALABARZON

• Lucio D. San Pedro (1991) contributed to civic culture with town bands, known for "Sa Ugoy ng Duyan."
• Francisco Feliciano (2014) brought awareness of Asian culture in his music, elevating Filipino artistry.

Region 6 - Western Visayas

• Jovita Fuentes (1976) was best known for her portrayal of Cio-cio San in Giacomo Puccini's Madame Butterfly in Italy.

Film

National Capital Region

• Gerardo De Leon (1982) is the most awarded film director in the history of Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Awards.
• Ishmael Bernal (2001) was hailed as "the genius of Philippine cinema," creating films reflecting social issues.
• Roland Allan K. Poe (2006), Fernando Poe, Jr., was a cultural icon and cinema artist.

Region 5 - Bicol Region

• Lino Brocka (1997) is considered influential, breathing life into marginalized sectors.

Region 14 – Cordillera Administrative Region

• Lamberto V. Avellana (1976) was nicknamed “The Boy Wonder of Philippine Movies."
• He was the first to use the motion picture to establish a point-of-view, the first to have his film shown at the Cannes International Film.
• He was also the first National Artist of the Philippines for the film.

Region 18 – Negros Island Region

• Eddie Romero (2003) is considered one of the finest, exploring history and politics in cinema.

Theater

National Capital Region

• Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero (1997) directed the UP Dramatic Club and founded the UP Mobile Theater, bringing theater to the countryside.

Region 1 - Ilocos Region

• Salvador F. Bernal (2003) designed over 300 productions and organized PATDAT, using local materials within budget.

Region 6 – Western Visayas

• Daisy Avellana elevated legitimate theater, co-founding the Barangay Theater Guild with her husband Lamberto Avellana, popularizing theater through radio and television.