Order of National Artists

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

Objectives

• To recognize Filipino artists who have significantly contributed to the country's cultural heritage
• To recognize Filipino artistic accomplishment at its highest level and to promote creative expression for the development of national cultural identity
• To recognize Filipino artists who have dedicated their lives to their works to forge new paths for future generations

Criteria for Selection

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

Honors and Privileges

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

The National Artists: Architecture

• Pablo S. Antonio (1976), born in Binondo, Manila, pioneered modern Philippine architecture, emphasizing function, natural light, and cross ventilation
• Antonio's major 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," espousing architecture reflective of Philippine traditions and culture
• Nakpil's major works include the Geronimo de los Reyes Building, Magsaysay Building, Rizal Theater, and Capitol Theater
• Ildefonso P. Santos (2006), born in Malabon, Manila, is considered the "Father of Philippine Landscape Architecture"
• Santos' works include the Tagaytay Highland Resort, Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club, and Orchard Gold and Country Club
• Jose Maria V. Zaragoza (2014), from Guagua, Pampanga, became synonymous with modern ecclesiastical architecture
• Zaragoza's works include the Meralco Building, Philbanking Building, Sto. Domingo Church and Convent, and Metropolitan Cathedral of Cebu City
• Leandro V. Locsin (1990), born in Silay, Negros Occidental, believed true Philippine architecture is "the product of two great streams of culture," using themes of floating volume
• Locsin's largest work is the Istana Nurul Iman, palace of the Sultan of Brunei
• He also designed the five buildings of the CCP Complex

The National Artists: Visual Arts

• Fernando Amorsolo (1972), born in Paco, Manila, known as the "Grand Old Man of Philippine Art," was the first to receive the National Artist award
• Amorsolo's trademark was the backlighting technique
• Cesar Legaspi (1990) was a pioneer "Neo-Realist" who refined cubism within the Philippine context using geometric fragmentation
• Hernando Ocampo (1991), a self-taught painter from Sta. Cruz, Manila, evoked the Philippine landscape on his canvases
• Ocampo played a pivotal role in sustaining the Philippine Art Gallery and his masterpiece "Genesis" served as the basis of the CCP Main Theater's curtain design
• Arturo Luz (1997) established the Luz Gallery, professionalizing the art gallery as an institution
• Jose T. Joya (2003) pioneered abstract expressionism, creating an authentic Filipino abstract idiom
• Benedicto Cabrera (2006) created the emblematic scavenger figure “Sabel”
• Federico Aguilar Alcuaz (2009) was known for his gestural paintings and sketches after studying at the Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid
• Francisco Coching (2014) was known as the "King of Komiks" and "Dean of Filipino Illustrators," forming the popular art form of comics
• Victorio Edades (1976) was the "Father of Modern Philippine Painting" and used dark, somber colors unlike Amorsolo
• Guillermo Tolentino (1973) was hailed as the "Father of Philippine Arts"
• Tolentino's famous works include the Bonifacio Monument and the UP Oblation
• Vicente Manansala (1981) was a cubist painter and illustrator, with paintings described as visions of reality teetering on abstraction
• Carlos "Botong" Francisco (1973) revived the forgotten art of mural
• J. Elizalde Navarro (1999) was a versatile artist in painting, sculpture, printmaking, and graphic design
• Napoleon Abueva (1976) was the youngest awardee and the "Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture," adept in academic and modern abstract styles
• Ang Kiukok fused cubism, surrealism, and expressionism in his paintings

The National Artists: Fashion Design

• Ramon Valera was a fashion designer known for his magical innovations on the Philippine terno

The National Artists: Literature

• Jose Garcia Villa (1973) is considered one of the finest contemporary poets, who introduced reversed consonance rhyme scheme and comma poems
• Nick Joaquin (1976) is considered the most distinguished Filipino writer in English, with critics coining "Joaquinesque" to describe his style
• Francisco Arcellana (1990) pioneered the development of the short story as a lyrical prose-poetic form
• Levi Celerio (1997) was a prolific lyricist and composer who made it to the Guinness Book of World Records for making music using just a leaf
• Rolando S. Tinio (1997) inventoed "Taglish" in Philippine poetry
• Alejandro Roces (2003) led the campaign to change the country's Independence Day from July 4 to June 12, and the language used in Philippine passports, currency, and diplomas to Filipino
• Cirilo F. Bautista (2014) founded literary organizations and workshops throughout the country
• Francisco Sionil Jose (2001) depicts social underpinnings of class struggles and colonialism in his novels and short stories
• Edith L. Tiempo (1999) founded the Siliman National Writers Workshop, known for her fusion of style and substance
• Amado V. Hernandez (1973) believed a writer's function is to act as the conscience of society
• Carlos P. Romulo (1982) was the first Asian president of the United Nations General Assembly, among other positions
• Virgilio S. Almario (2003) currently serves as the chairman of the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino
• Lazaro Francisco (2009) earned the reputation as the "Master of the Tagalog Novel"
• Bienvenido Lumbera (2006) introduced Bagay poetry to Tagalog literature and advocated creative fusion of fine arts
• Nestor Vicente Madali Gonzalez (1997) earned numerous recognitions

The National Artists: Historical Literature

• Carlos Quirino (1997) was the first and only recipient in the historical literature category

The National Artists: Dance

• Alice Reyes (2014) made a lasting impact on the development and promotion of contemporary dance in the Philippines, developing a distinctly Filipino modern dance idiom
• Francisca Reyes Aquino (1973) was known as the “Mother of Philippine Folk Dancing,” researching unrecorded forms of local celebration and ritual
• Ramon Obusan (2006) focused on promoting Philippine traditional dance and cultural work through the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group (ROFG)
• Lucrecia Reyes-Urtula (1988) spent decades studying Philippine folk and ethnic dances, choreographing for the Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company
• Leonor Orosa-Goquingco (1976) was dubbed “Trailblaizer,” “Mother of Philippine Theater Dance” and “Dean of Filipino Performing Arts Critics,” known for original choreographies

The National Artists: Music

• Antonio J. Molina (1973) introduced innovations like the whole tone scale, pentatonic scale, and more
• Honorata "Atang" de la Rama (1987), honored as the “Queen of Kundiman," believed sarswela and kundiman express the Filipino soul
• Jose Maceda (1997) freed Filipino musical expression from the view that European culture is dominant
• Andrea Veneracion (1999) founded the Philippine Madrigal Singers and spearheaded the development of choral music in the Philippines
• Ramon Santos (2014) is the country's foremost exponent of contemporary Filipino music, incorporating non-Western traditions

The National Artists: Film

• Gerardo De Leon (1982) is the most awarded film director in the history of FAMAS
• Ishmael Bernal (2001) was hailed as “the genius of Philippine cinema" for his social commentaries
• Roland Allan K. Poe (2006) was a cultural icon known as Fernando Poe, Jr.
• Lino Brocka (1997) is widely regarded as one of the most influential and significant Filipino filmmakers
• Manuel Conde (2009) is known for producing and directing films based on Filipino tales
• Lamberto V. Avellana (1976) was known as “The Boy Wonder of Philippine Movies,” the first to use motion picture to establish a point-of-view

The National Artists: Theater

• Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero (1997) served as the director of UP Dramatic Club and founded the UP Mobile Theater
• Salvador F. Bernal (2003) designed more than 300 productions, adapting to budget limitations by using local materials
• Severino Montano (2001) is the forerunner in institutionalizing “legitimate theater” in the Philippines
• Daisy Avellana elevated legitimate theater and dramatic arts and encouraged the establishment of performing groups