a. What is National Artist ?
Is a Filipino citizen who has been given the rank and title of National Artist in recognition of his her
significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts and letters.
[Link] is the order of National Artists ?
National Artist are given a Grand Collar symbolizing their status.
Grand Collar make up the order of National Artists
(Orden ng Gawad Pambansang Alagad ng Sining) is given to Filipinos who have made distinct
contributions in the field of arts and letters.
(NCCA) and (CCP), is conferred by the president of the Philippines upon recommendation by both
institutions
Order of National Artists share similarities with orders, decorations, and medal of other countries
recognizing contributions to their national culture such as the U. S Medal for the Arts, and the order
of culture of Japan.
Conferred every three years.
c. When was the order of National Artist created?
Established by virtue of Presidential No. 1001, s. 1972 which created the award and Decoration of
National Artist ”To give appropriate recognition and prestige to Filipino who have distinguished
themselves and made outstanding contributions to Philippine arts and letters”, and which
posthumously conferred the award on the painter Fernando Amorsolo who had died earlier that
year.
The insignia of the order of National Artist is composed of Grand Collar featuring circular links
portraying the arts, and an eight-pointed conventionalized sunburnt suspended from sampaguita
wreath in green and white enamel. The central badge is a medallion divided into three equal
portions red, white, and blue , recalling the Philippine flag with three stylized letter K's- the “KKK”
stands for the CCP's motto: “ Katotohanan, Kabutihan, at Kagandahan “, as coined by then first lady
Mrs. Imelda Romualdez Marcos.
d. Legal Basis of the order of National Artists
Proclamation No. 1144, s. 1973 named the CCP Board of Trustees as the National Artists Award
Committee.
Executive Order No. 236, s. 2003 known as the Honor Code of the Philippines
Section 5 of EO 236 stated the president may confer the order of National Artist “ upon the
recommendation of the cultural center of the Philippines and the NCCA.
Executive Order No. 435, s. 2005 amended section IV of EO 236, giving the President the power to
name National Artists without the need of a recommendation, relegating the NCCA and the CCP to
mere advisory bodies that may not be heeded. This expanded president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
flexibility to proclaim National Artists at her discretion, which led to the controversy of 2009
e. Criteria for the Order of National Artists
1. Living artists who are Filipino citizens on the time of nomination, as well as who died after
the establishment of the award in 1972 but were Filipino citizens at the time of their death.
2. Artists who, through the content and form of their works, have contributed in building a
Filipino sense of nationhood;
3. Artist who have pioneered in a mode of creative expression or style, thus earning distinction
and making an impact on succeeding generations of artists.
4. Artists who have created a substantial and significant body of work and/ or consistently
displayed excellence in the practice of their art form thus enriching artistic expression or
style ; and
5. Artists who enjoy broad acceptance through:
a. Prestigious national and/ or international recognition, such as the Gawad CCP para
sa Sining CCP Thirteen Artists Award and NCCA Alab ng Haraya.
b. Critical acclaim and/ or reviews of their works;
c. Respect and esteem from peers.
Those submitting nominations for National Artists must submit the following;
1. A cover letter from the nominating organization.
2. A duly accomplished nomination form;
3. A detailed curriculum vitae of the nominee;
4. A list of the nominee's significant works categorized according to the criteria;
5. The latest photograph
6. Pertinent information materials on the nominee’s significant works ( on CD’S , VCD'S and DVD'S)
7. Copies of published reviews ; and
8. Any other document that may be required.
f. Honors and Privileges
A member of order of National Artists is granted the following honors and privileges:
1. The rank and title of the National Artists, as proclaimed by the president of the Philippines;
2. The insignia of National Artist and a citation
3. Lifetime emolument and material and Physical benefits comparable in value by those received
by the highest officers.
a. A cash award of one Hundred Thousand Pesos net for taxes, for living awardees;
b. A cash award ₱75,000.00 net of taxes for posthumous awardee, payable to legal heirs.
c. A monthly life pension, medical and hospitalization benefits;
d. Life insurance coverage for Awardee who are still insurable;
e. A state funeral and burial at the libingan ng mga Bayani;
f. A place of honor, in line with particular precedence, at national state function, and
recognition at cultural events.
PROFILE OF NATIONAL ARTISTS
FERNANDO CUETO AMORSOLO (1892-1972) - National Artists for Visual Art – Painting, 1972
Paco, Manila National Capital Region
Portraitist and painter of rural Philippines landscape.
Known for his craftsmanship and mastery in the use of light
Earned degree from the Liceo de Manila Art School in 1909.
FRANCISCA REYES-AQUINO (1899-1983)- National Artist for Dance, 1973
Bocaue, Bulacan, Region 3- Central Luzon
Recipient of the Republic Award of Merit and the Ramon Magsaysay Award.
Also known as the “Mother of Philippine Folk Dancing”.
Student assistant at University of the Philippines.
CARLOS MODESTO VILLALUZ “BOTONG” FRANCISCO (1914-1969)- National Artist for Visual Art-
Painting, 1973
Angono, Rizal, Region 4A- CALABARZON
Muralist from Angono, Rizal
Best known for his historical pieces
He was invariably linked with the “modernist”
AMANDO VERA HERNANDEZ (1903-1970)- National Artist For literature,1973
Hagonoy,Bulacan,Region 3-Central Luzon
Known for his criticism of social injustice in the Philippines.
He studied at Manila High school and at the American Correspondence school.
He began writing in Tagalog for the newspaper "watawat"(Flag).
ANTONIO J. MOLINA (1894-1980)- National artist for Music,1973
Quiapo, Manila, National Capital Region
Was a composer, conductor and music administrator from Quiapo, Manila
Also known as the Claude Debussy of the Philippines.
He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1909
JUAN F. NAPKIL (1899-1986)- National artist for Architechture,1973
Quiapo, Manila, National Capital Region
An architect, teacher, and a community leader
He received his bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering at the university of Kansas
GUILLERMO ESTRELLA TOLENTINO (1890-1976)-National Artist for Visual arts-Sculpture, 1973
Malolos, Bulacan, Region 3 - Central Luzon
Hailed as the " Father of Philippine Arts"
Was known as a master in classical sculpture.
He received national recognition for his work on the Bonifacio monument.
JOSÉ GARCÍAS VILLA (1909-1997)-National Artist for Literature,1973
Singalong, Manila, National Capital Region
was a poet, literary critic, Short story writer, and a painter
He awarded the "Guggenheim Fellowship in creative writing" by Conrad Aiken
Introduced the "Reversed consonance rhyme scheme" in writing poetry, as well as the extensive use
of punctuation marks-Especially commas, which made him known as the Comma Poet.
NAPOLEON ISABELO VELOSO ABUEVA (1930)- National artist for Visual arts- Sculpture, 1976
He Considered as the "Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture
One of his mentors was Guillermo Tolentino
LEONOR ORASA-GOQUINCO (1917-2005)- National Artist for Dance, 1976
Jolo, Sulu, Region 15- autonomous Region in muslim Mindanao
A Filipino national artist in creative dance
She also know as Trailblazer, Mother of Philippine Theater Dance and dean of filipino performing
arts of critics
An Honorary Chairman of the Association of Ballet Academies of the Philippines
LAMBERTO VERA AVELLANA (1915-1991)- National artist for film and theater, 1976
Bontoc, mountain province, Region 14- Cordillera Administrative Region
A prominent film and stage director
He was name by President Ferdinand Marcos as the very first national artist of the Philippines for
film
He directed more than 70 film in a career that spanned six decades.
NICODEMES MARQUEZ JOAQUIN(1917-2004)- National Artist for Literature, 1976
Paco, Manila, NCR
Pen name- Quijano de Manila
best known for short stories and novels in English
he secured the release of imprisoned writer Jose F. Lacaba
JOVITA FUENTES(1895-1978) - National artist for music,1976
Capiz, region6 Visayas
An opera singer
hailed as "the most sublime interpretation of the part"
taught at University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music(1917)
VITORIO C. EDADES(1895-1985) - National artist for visual arts- painting,1976
Dagupan, Pangasinan, region1- Ilocos region
leader of the revolutionary Thirteen Moderns
dubbed as "apprentice teacher"
he became a bridge between the past and the present
PABLO SEBERO ANTONIO (1901-1975) - National Artist For Architecture ,1976
Was an architect in Binondo, Manila
A pioneer of modern Philippines Architecture
He was recognized in some quarters as the foremost Filipino modernist of his time
He complete a five year architecture course in three years graduating in 1927
VICENTE MANANSALA (1910-1981) - National Artist For Visual Arts-Panting , 1981
Macabebe Pampangga, Region 3 Central Luzon
Was a cubist painter and illustrator in Macabebe Pampangga.
His paintings are described as vision of reality teetering on the edge of abstraction
As young boy, his talent was revealed through the copies
He made of sagrada familia and his mother portrait that he copied form photograph
GERARDO DE LEON (1913-1981) - National Artist For Film ,1982
Manila National Capital Region
Was an actor-turned film director from manila
Was a member of the ilagan clan of Philippine motion pictures
De Leon is the most award film director in the history of the Filipino Academy of Movie And
science “FAMAS” award form 1952-1971
CARLOS PENA ROMULO (1899-1985) - National Artist For Literature , 1982
Intramuros, Manila National Capital Region
Camiling, Tarlac Region 3-Central Luzon
Was a diplomat statesman, soldier, journalist and author from Camiling Tarlac
He was a reporter at 16, a newspaper editor by the age of 20 and a publisher at 32.
ALANG DELA RAMA (1905-1991) - National Artist For Theater and Music ,1987
Tondo Manila National Capital Region
Was a singer bodabil performer and first filipina film actress from tondo manila
At the age of 7, she was already starring in Spanish zarzuelas such as mascota, sueno , de un vals
and marina
At the age of 15 she starred in the zarzuelas Dalagang Bukid, where she became known for
singing the song Nabasag na Banga
ANTONIO R BEUNAVENTURA (1904-1996) - National Artist For Music, 1988
Baliuag Bulacan Region 3-Central Luzon
Was a musician from Baliuag Bulacan
He has vigorously pursued a musical career that spanned seven decades of unwavering
commitment to advancing the frontiers of Philippine music
LUCRECIA REYES-URTULA (1929-1999) - National Artist For Dance ,1988
Iloilo City, Iloilo, Region 6- Western Visayas
Was a choreographer, dance educator and researchers from Iloilo City
She spent almost four decades in the discovery and study of Philippine folk and ethic dance
LUCRECIA ROCES KASILAG (1917-2008) - National Artist For Music, 1989
San Fernando, La union, Region 1- Ilocos Region
Paco, Manila, National Capital Region
Was a composer and pianist from San Fernando, La union
She founded the bayanihan folks art center for research and theatrical presentation and was
closely
Involved with the bayanihan Philippines Dance Company
FRANCISCO ARCELLANA (1916-2002)- National Artist For Literature , 1990
Manila, National Capital Region
Was a writer poet essayist, critic, journalists and teacher from Manila
He considered an important progenitor of modern Filipino short story in English
CESAR LEGASPI (1917-1994) - National Artist For Visual Arts-Panting , 1990
Tondo Manila National Capital Region
He was a painter
He was an art director prior to full time in his art practice in the 1960s
LEANDRO V. LOCSIN (1928-1994) - National Artist For Architecture, 1990
Silay Negros Occidental Region 1-Negros Island Region
He was an architect
He reshaped the urban landscape with a distinctive architecture reflective of Philippines art and
culture
HERNANDO R. OCAMPO (1911-1978) - National Artist For Visual Arts-Panting ,1991
Sta. Cruz Manila, National Capital Region
Was a visual artist fictionist, playwrights and editor from Sta. Cruz Manila Ocampo was a lending
Radical modernist artist in the Philippines
He was a member of the Saturday group of artists
LUCIO D. SAN PEDRO (1913-2002) - National Artist For Music ,1991
Angono Rizal Region 4A – Calabarzon
Was a composer and music teacher from Angono, Rizal
He is popular for his contribution to the field of Philippine music such as the lullaby “Sa ugoy ng
duyan”.
CATALINO URTIZ BROCKA (1939-1991) - National Artist For Film , 1997
Pilar Sorsogon, Region 5- Bicol Region -he was a film director
He is widely regarded as one of most influential and significant Filipino maker in Philippines
Cinema History
1983, he founded the organization Concerned artist of the Philippines (CAP)
FELIPE DE LEON (1912-1992) - National Artist For Music , 1997
Peñaranda, Nueva Ecija, Region 3- Central Luzon
Was a composer conductor and scholar from penaranda Nueva Ecija
He is Filipino western music forms, a feat aspired for by Filipino composer who proceed him
WILFRIDO MA. GUERERO (1911-1992) - National Artist For Theater, 1997
Ermita, Manila National Capital Region
Was a playwright director teacher and theater from Ermita
He is the first Filipino to have a theater named him within his lifetime
JOSÉ MONTSERRAT MACEDA (1917-2004)- National Artist for Music, 1997
Manila, National Capital Region
Was a great composer and ethnomusicologist from Manila
He studied piano, composition and musical analysis at École Normale de Musique de Paris in
France. And he studied musicology at Columbia University and anthropology at Northwestern
University.
As an ethnomusicologist, He investigate various forms of music in Southeast Asia
CARLOS LOZADA QUIRINO (1910-1999)- National Artist for Historical Literature, 1997
Manila, National Capital Region
Was a biographer and historian in Manila, one of his earliest biographies of Jose Rizal titled The
Great Malayan.
His books and and article span the whole gamut of Philippine history and culture-from Bonifacio
to Aguinaldo's biography
RAMON VALERA ( August 31, 1912 ) – National Artists for Design and Allied Arts- Fashion Design ,2006
Ramon Valera, whose family hails from Abra, lies in the tradition of excellence of his works, and his
commitment to his profession, performing his magical seminal innovations on the Philippine terno.
By the time he was studying business administration at Far Eastern University, around 1935, he was
already known as the most innovative male couturier manila.
CIRILIO F BAUTISTA ( July 9, 1941 ) – National Artist for Literature, 2014
Manila Commonwealth Of the Philippines
was a Filipino poet, critic and writer of nonfiction. A National Artist of the Philippines award was
conferred on him in 2014.
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines, or
simply the University of Santo Tomas (UST
