Order of National Artists: Philippine Arts

• The Order of National Artists was established under Proclamation No. 1001, s. 1972, and is the highest national recognition for Filipinos who significantly contribute to Philippine arts.
• 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 both the NCCA and CCP.

Objectives

• The Order of National Artists aims to recognize Filipino artists who have made significant contributions to the cultural heritage of the country.
• It also recognizes Filipino artistic accomplishment at its highest level, promoting creative expression for national cultural identity.
• Another aim is to recognize Filipino artists who have dedicated their lives to their work to forge new paths for future generations.

Criteria for Selection

• The Order of National Artists is given to living natural-born Filipino citizens at the time of nomination.
• It is also awarded to those who died after 1972 but were Filipino citizens at the time of their death.
• Filipinos who lost and re-acquired citizenship through dual citizenship for at least five years are eligible.
• Artists should contribute to building a Filipino sense of nationhood through their work's content and form.
• Artists who have pioneered creative expression or style should earn distinction and impact succeeding generations.
• Creating a substantial body of work with consistent excellence enriches artistic expression.
• Broad acceptance through prestigious national and/or international recognition is also important, such as the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining, CCP Thirteen Artists Award, and NCCA Alab ng Haraya.
• Critical acclaim, reviews, respect, and esteem from peers are considered.

Honors and Privileges

• National Artists are given the rank and title of National Artist, proclaimed by the President of the Philippines.
• Awardees receive a National Artist gold-plated medallion minted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and citation.
• They receive a lifetime emolument, material, and physical benefits comparable to the highest officers of the land.
• A minimum cash award of P200,000.00, net of taxes for living awardees and P150,000.00, net of taxes for posthumous awardees, is given.
• A minimum lifetime personal monthly stipend of P30,000.00 is provided
• These privileges are effective starting January 1, 2013.
• Awardees receive life insurance coverage if still insurable and a state funeral benefit up to P500,000.00.
• A place of honor is given in state functions, national commemoration ceremonies, and cultural presentations.

Architecture - National Capital Region

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

Architecture - Region 3 - Central Luzon

• Jose Maria V. Zaragoza (2014), from Guagua, Pampanga, synonymous with modern ecclesiastical architecture.
• Zaragoza's works include Meralco Building, Philbanking Building, and Sto. Domingo Church

Architecture - Region 18 – Negros Island

• Leandro V. Locsin (1990), born in Silay, Negros Occidental, believes true Philippine architecture blends oriental and occidental cultures, using floating volume themes.
• Locsin's largest work is the Istana Nurul Iman, the Sultan of Brunei's palace, and he designed the five buildings of the CCP Complex.

Visual Arts - National Capital Region

• Fernando Amorsolo (1972), born in Paco, Manila, was the first National Artist, known as the “Grand Old Man of Philippine Art,” with a trademark backlighting technique.
• Amorsolo's major works include: Maiden in a Stream (1921), El Ciego (1928), Dalagang Bukid (1936), The Meztiza (1943), Planting Rice (1946), and Sunday Morning Going to Town (1958).
• Cesar Legaspi (1990) pioneered “Neo-Realism,” refining cubism, using geometric fragmentation, social comment, and mythical elements.
• Among Legaspi's works are Gadgets I, Gadgets II, Diggers, Idols of the Third Eye, Facade, Ovary, and Flora and Fauna.
• Hernando Ocampo (1991), a self-taught painter from Sta. Cruz, Manila, evoked Philippine landscapes with bold colors.
• Ocampo sustained the Philippine Art Gallery, and his “Genesis” design is used for the CCP Main Theater's curtain.
• Arturo Luz (1997) established the Luz Gallery, professionalizing art galleries.
• Luz's paintings include Bagong Taon, Vendador de Flores, Skipping Rope, Candle Vendors, Procession, and Self-Portrait.
• Jose T. Joya (2003) pioneered abstract expressionism, creating a Filipino abstract idiom.
• Joya's paintings, inspired by Philippine landscapes, use rice paper collages to value transparency.
• Benedicto Cabrera (2006), from Malabon, is a best-selling painter, known for the "Sabel" scavenger figure.
• The Sabel embodies dislocation, despair, isolation, and threatened human dignity.
• Federico Aguilar Alcuaz (2009), a painter and sculptor from Sta. Cruz, Manila, created gestural paintings in acrylic, oil, ink, watercolor, and pencil.
• Francisco Coching (2014), born in Buting, Pasig, the “King of Komiks” and “Dean of Filipino Illustrators,” was central to forming popular comics.

Visual Arts - Region 1 – Ilocos Region

• Victorio Edades (1976) is the "Father of Modern Philippine Painting”, using dark, somber colors to depict laborers.
• His works include The Sketch, The Artist and the Model, Portrait of the Professor, and Japanese Girl.

Visual Arts - Region 3 – Central Luzon

• Guillermo Tolentino (1973), born in Malolos, Bulacan, is the “Father of Philippine Arts,” known for the Bonifacio Monument and UP Oblation.
• Tolentino designed medals for the Ramon Magsaysay Award and the seal of the Republic of the Philippines.

Visual Arts - Region 4A – CALABARZON

• Carlos “Botong” Francisco (1973) revived mural art; best known for his historical pieces.
• Francisco's works include A Cluster of Nipa Hut, San Francisco Del Monte, Banaklaot, and I Believe in God.

Visual Arts - Region 6 - Western Visayas

• J. Elizalde Navarro (1999), born in Antique, a versatile artist who worked in drawing, printmaking, graphic design, painting, and sculpting.
• Three of Navarro's major mixed media works are I'm Sorry Jesus, I Can't Attend Christmas This Year (1965), and his Homage to Dodjie Laurel (1969: Ateneo Art Gallery collection), and A Flying Contraption for Mr. Icarus (1984: Lopez Museum).

Visual Arts - Region 7 – Central Visayas

• Napoleon Abueva (1976), from Bohol, the youngest awardee, is the “Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture," adept at academic and abstract styles, using various materials.
• Abueva's works: Kaganapan (1953), Kiss of Judas (1955), Thirty Pieces of Silver, and The Transfiguration (1979).

Visual Arts - Region 11 – Davao

• Ang Kiukok, born Ang Hwa Shing, was a painter from Davao City who used cubism, surrealism, and expressionism and favored rage-filled subjects.
• Kiukok's Geometric Landscape (1969) and Pieta won a bronze medal at the International Art Exhibition.
• Abdulmari Asia Imao (2006), from Sulu, is a sculptor, painter, photographer, ceramist, filmmaker, cultural researcher, and writer.
• Imao’s work popularized indigenous ukkil, sarimanok, and naga motifs, instilling them as original Filipino creations.

Fashion Design - Region 14 – Cordillera Administrative Region

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

Literature - National Capital Region

• Jose Garcia Villa (1973) is a contemporary poet who introduced reversed consonance rhyme and comma poems.
• Nick Joaquin (1976) is a distinguished Filipino writer in English, with critics coining “Joaquinesque” to describe his Spanish-flavored or reinvented English.
• Francisco Arcellana (1990) pioneered the short story as lyrical prose-poetry, emphasizing fiction's ability to render truth.
• Levi Celerio (1997) is a lyricist and composer who made the Guinness Book of World Records for making music with a leaf.
• Rolando S. Tinio (1997) was a playwright, thespian, poet, teacher, critic, and translator, who invented "Taglish” in Philippine poetry.
• Alejandro Roces (2003) is acclaimed for comic short stories, promoted local fiestas, changed Independence Day to June 12, and advocated for Filipino in official documents.
• Cirilo F. Bautista (2014) is a poet, fictionist, and essayist who founded literary arts groups and workshops.

Literature - Region 1 – Ilocos Region

• Francisco Sionil Jose (2001) writes English novels and stories depicting class struggles and colonialism.

Literature - Region 2 – Cagayan Valley

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

Literature - Region 3 – Central Luzon

• Amado V. Hernandez (1973) is a poet, playwright, and novelist who believes in writing as social conscience, contributing to Tagalog prose.

Literature - Region 4A – CALABARZON

• Bienvenido Lumbera (2006) introduced Bagay poetry and pioneered creative fusion in librettos.

Literature - Region 4B – MIMAROPA

• Nestor Vicente Madali Gonzalez (1997) is a fictionist, essayist, poet, and teacher, earning recognition for his literary works.

Historical Literature - National Capital Region

• Carlos Quirino (1997) inaugurated historical literature as a category in the National Artist Awards writing biographies and articles on Philippine history.

Dance - National Capital Region

• Alice Reyes contributed to the development and promotion of contemporary dance in the Philippines, utilizing Filipino materials.

Dance - Region 3 – Central Luzon

• Francisca Reyes Aquino (1973), known as the “Mother of Philippine Folk Dancing,” researched unrecorded local celebrations and rituals.

Dance - Region 5 – Bicol Region

• Ramon Obusan (2006) is a dancer, choreographer, stage designer, director, archivist, researcher, and filmmaker, focusing on traditional Philippine dance.

Dance - Region 6 - Western Visayas

• Lucrecia Reyes-Urtula (1988) spent decades studying Philippine folk and ethnic dances.

Dance - Region 15 – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

• Leonor Orosa-Goquingco (1976), dubbed “Trailblaizer,” “Mother of Philippine Theater Dance” and “Dean of Filipino Performing Arts Critics."