Order of National Artists

• The Order of National Artists was established in 1972 under Proclamation No. 1001
• The President of the Philippines grants the award every three years upon the recommendation of the NCCA and CCP

Objectives

• Recognizes Filipino artists with significant contributions to the country's cultural heritage
• Acknowledges Filipino artistic achievements that promote creative expression and contribute to national identity
• Honors Filipino artists who dedicated their lives to forging new paths for future generations

Selection Criteria

• Open to living natural-born Filipino citizens at the time of nomination
• Also open to those who died after 1972 but held Filipino citizenship at the time of death
• Filipinos with dual citizenship can be nominated if they have held that status for at least five years
• Artists must have contributed to building a Filipino sense of nationhood through their work's content and form
• Artists must have pioneered a mode of creative expression or style, earning distinction and impacting future artists
• A substantial and significant body of work and/or consistent excellence in their art form is required
• Artists need to have broad acceptance through national/international recognition, critical acclaim, and respect from peers

Honors and Privileges

• Awardees get the rank and title of National Artist through presidential proclamation
• They receive a gold-plated medallion from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and a citation
• Awardees are entitled to lifetime benefits comparable to those of the highest officers, including a minimum cash award of P200,000, net of taxes, for living awardees and P150,000, net of taxes, for posthumous awardees, payable to legal heirs
• Awardees get a minimum lifetime personal monthly stipend of P30,000
• Privileges, including life insurance and state funeral, are effective from January 1, 2013
• Awardees get a place of honor during state functions, national commemorations, and cultural presentations

National Artists in Architecture

• Pablo S. Antonio (1976) pioneered modern Philippine architecture and emphasized function, natural light, and cross ventilation
  • Notable works include the Far Eastern University buildings, Manila Polo Club, and Ideal Theater
• Juan F. Nakpil (1973) espoused architecture reflecting Philippine traditions and culture and was known as the "Dean of Filipino Architects"
  • Key works include the Geronimo de los Reyes Building, Magsaysay Building, and the reconstructed Rizal house in Calamba, Laguna
• Ildefonso P. Santos (2006), considered the "Father of Philippine Landscape Architecture"
  • Noted for the Tagaytay Highland resort, Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club
• Jose Maria V. Zaragoza (2014) became synonymous with modern ecclesiastical architecture
  • Major works include Meralco Building, Sto. Domingo Church, and Metropolitan Cathedral of Cebu City
• Leandro V. Locsin (1990) believed true Philippine architecture blends oriental and occidental cultures
  • Notable for designing the Istana Nurul Iman and the CCP Complex buildings

National Artists in Visual Arts

• Fernando Amorsolo (1972), "Grand Old Man of Philippine Art," known for his backlighting technique
  • Famous works include "Maiden in a Stream" and "Planting Rice"
• Cesar Legaspi (1990), neo-realist, refined cubism in the Philippine context
  • Known for "Gadgets I," "Gadgets II," and "Diggers"
• Hernando Ocampo (1991), self-taught painter, captured the Philippine landscape in his art
  • His masterpiece, "Genesis," is the basis for the CCP Main Theater curtain design
• Arturo Luz (1997) established the Luz Gallery and is known for paintings like "Bagong Taon" and "Cities of the Past"
• Jose T. Joya (2003) pioneered abstract expressionism, creating a Filipino abstract idiom
• Benedicto Cabrera (2006) is known as the best-selling painter of his generation, and created the "Sabel" figure
• Federico Aguilar Alcuaz (2009), painter and sculptor, known for gestural paintings and classical training in Madrid
• Francisco Coching (2014), the "King of Komiks", was a central figure in the formation of comics
• Victorio Edades (1976), the "Father of Modern Philippine Painting" used dark colors to depict laborers
• Guillermo Tolentino (1973) is hailed as the “Father of Philippine Arts,” known for the Bonifacio Monument
• Vicente Manansala (1981) was a cubist painter whose paintings showed visions of reality
• Carlos "Botong" Francisco (1973) revived mural art and is known for historical pieces
• J. Elizalde Navarro (1999) was a versatile artist known for drawing, printmaking, and sculpting
• Napoleon Abueva (1976) was the youngest awardee and "Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture"
• Ang Kiukok fused cubism, surrealism, and expressionism, often depicting fighting cocks
• Abdulmari Asia Imao (2006) promoted Philippine Muslim art and culture
  • Works feature indigenous ukkil, sarimanok, and naga motifs

National Artist in Fashion Design

• Ramon Valera contributed to Philippine fashion through his innovations on the terno

National Artist in Literature

• Jose Garcia Villa (1973) introduced reversed consonance rhyme scheme and comma poems
• Nick Joaquin (1976) enriched English with "Joaquinesque" Filipinisms
• Francisco Arcellana (1990) developed the short story as a lyrical prose-poetic form
• Levi Celerio (1997), lyricist and composer, entered the Guinness Book of World Records for making music with a leaf
• Rolando S. Tinio (1997), playwright, poet and translator, invented "Taglish" in poetry
• Alejandro Roces (2003) is known for comic short stories and championing Filipino culture
• Cirilo F. Bautista (2014) is a multi-awarded poet, fictionist, and essayist
• Francisco Sionil Jose (2001) wrote about social class struggles and colonialism
• Edith L. Tiempo (1999) founded the Siliman National Writers Workshop
• Amado V. Hernandez (1973) used colloquial Tagalog in his socio-political novels
• Carlos P. Romulo (1982) was the first Asian president of the UN General Assembly
• Virgilio S. Almario (2003) is the chairman of the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino
• Lazaro Francisco (2009) was known as the “Master of the Tagalog Novel"
• Bienvenido Lumbera (2006) introduced Bagay poetry to Tagalog literature
• Nestor Vicente Madali Gonzalez (1997) was a fictionist, essayist, poet, and teacher
• Carlos Quirino (1997) created historical literature as a new category and wrote about Philippine history

National Artist in Dance

• Alice Reyes (2014) developed a distinctly Filipino modern dance idiom
• Francisca Reyes Aquino (1973), the "Mother of Philippine Folk Dancing," researched and promoted folk dances
• Ramon Obusan (2006) promoted Philippine traditional dance and cultural work
• Lucrecia Reyes-Urtula (1988) spent decades studying Philippine folk and ethnic dances
• Leonor Orosa-Goquingco (1976), dubbed "Trailblaizer", produced original choreographies integrating native folk dance

National Artist in Music

• Antonio J. Molina (1973) introduced innovations in scales and chords
• Honorata “Atang” de la Rama (1987), the “Queen of Kundiman,” believed sarswela and kundiman express the Filipino soul
• Jose Maceda (1997) wrote about Philippine traditional music, freeing it from European views
• Andrea Veneracion (1999) founded the Philippine Madrigal Singers
• Ramon Santos (2014) is the foremost exponent of contemporary Filipino music, incorporating non-Western traditions
• Lucrecia Roces Kasilag (1989) developed Philippine music by fusing ethnic sounds with Western influences
• Antonio R. Buenaventura (1988) advanced Philippine music frontier and researched folksongs and dances
• Felipe Padilla de Leon (1997) Filipinized Western music forms
• Ernani J. Cuenco (1999) brought contemporary Filipino music to a higher level, enriching love ballads
• Lucio D. San Pedro (1991) contributed to civic culture among Filipino communities through his work with town bands
• Francisco Feliciano (2014) awareness to the world that Asian culture is a rich source
• Jovita Fuentes (1976) was known for her portrayal of Cio-cio San in "Madame Butterfly"

National Artist in Film

• Gerardo De Leon (1982) is the most awarded film director in the history of FAMAS
• Ishmael Bernal (2001) made films serving as social commentaries
• Roland Allan K. Poe (2006) was a cultural icon as an actor, director, writer, and producer
• Lino Brocka (1997) breathed life into the marginalized sectors of society through his films
• Manuel Conde (2009) produced films based on Filipino tales
• Lamberto V. Avellana (1976) had firsts in the film industry and was known as “The Boy Wonder of Philippine Movies”
• Eddie Romero (2003) delved into history and politics in his films

National Artist in Theater

• Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero (1997) founded the UP Mobile Theater, making theater accessible
• Salvador F. Bernal (2003) was acknowledged as the "guru of contemporary Filipino theater design"
• Severino Montano (2001) institutionalized "legitimate theater" in the Philippines
• Daisy Avellana elevated legitimate theater and dramatic arts and co-founded the Barangay Theater Guild