Contemporary

Philippine Arts
from Regions
Quarter 1 – Module 3:
Philippine Contemporary Artist
What’s New
Activity 3.1
The artwork presented on the right
side is a masterpiece of a well-known
Filipino artist. Observe closely and
analyze the intention of the artist and
its contribution in promoting
contemporary arts.
What Is It
The Filipino Artist

Fernando AmORSOLO
A painter, who romanticized life, reminding
Filipinos of tranquil rural landscapes. Carlos
“Botong” Francisco drew, and painted genre
paintings inspired by the life of his town,
Angono Rizal.
 Under the mango Tree by Fernando Amorsolo, 1935. Oil on canvas/Copyright is owned
by the Fernando C. Amorsolo Art Foundation, Inc.

As a rule, the Filipino artist’s role is four-fold: the

personal, the social, the physical, and the
immaterial. First, the artist expresses whathe or
she feels.
Then, the artist expresses what he or she sees
around him or her. Also, the artist finds a need to
create something useful but also pleasing to look
at. Examples are the burnay or clay pottery of the
Ilocos region and the banig or woven mats if the
Visayas and Mindanao regions.

Finally, the artist gives form to the immaterial, the hidden truths of the universe and the spiritual
force that inhabits the world. Because of these roles, the artist can refine us and evaluate our
sense of what is beautiful and sublime.
An artist reflects the time and culture of his period but seen in a different light. In this way, he or
she gets to influence his reader, viewer, and listener intentionally or unintentionally.
 NICK JOAQUIN
A Manileňo novelist, playwright, journalist,
historian, and essayist. He started writing under
the pen name of Quijano de Manila for the
Philippine Free Press Magazine, chronicled the
diverse heritage of the Philippines and gave his
opinion about the culture of his time for decades.
The artist is a crusader, attempting to sway the viewer to
his or her side. In the past decades, there has been a rise in
national fervor. The Filipino artist has become a social
critic, exposing the inequalities of life, the effects in most
contemporary works today. The artist has also become an
advocate for what he or she believes in. he or she creates
an artistic controversy, thereby becoming agent of change.
 The Filipina Artist
Women artist have become visible because of the initial steps of three women graphic artists in the 1970s and
1980s. Imelda Cajipe-Endaya, Brenda V. Fajardo, and Ofelia [Link] have entered the art scene and
changed the landscape from then on. They have started as printmakers but later evolved their own genres,
except for France-based Gelveson-Tequi, who remained as printmaker and a painter. Her latest work is a series of
Philippine madonnas.

brenda fajardo
A doctor in the Philippine Studies and Professor Emerita in the University of the Philippines, is a multi-awarded
artist, educator, and cultural worker. Among her national and international awards and grants are the 2012
Gawad CCP para sa Sining Biswal and the CCP Centennial Honors for the Arts in 1999. Her nationalistic themes
are taken from Philippine Folklore, legends, and mythology. She then relates them to contemporary life. Her
works are mostly in pen and ink acrylic.
 imelda cajipe-endaya

A mixed-media artist, curator, writer, and

organizer. She is one of the first to use non-
traditional materials for her artworks which are
usually fragmented arrangements of artistic
scenes. She is also an active women’s rights
Sa Panambitan Dalangin ay Kagtingan/By Imelda Cajipe Endaya.
1985, Oil on Assemblage advocate.
These women artists paved way for others to assert their own identity. Other women artists soon
followed: agnes arellano, julie lluch, genera banzon, francesca enriquez
and many more.

In the late 1980s, FAJARDO and ENDAYA, together with ANA FER, JULIE LLUCH, and IDA BUGAYONG,
founded KASIBULAN (kababaihan sa sining at bagong sibol na kamalayan), a group whose goal was to
pursue women’s agenda. KASIBULAN addressed women’s issue through arts.

ligaya fernando Is a noteworthy Filipina, model, historical recorder, and

amilbangsa conservationist. She is an artist, educator, cultural researcher, and
an advocate of the indigenous arts of the South.

Many said that growing up a cultural dancer, Amilbangsa nursed an intense love for dance that
made her study, conserve, and promote a pre-Islamic dance tradition called Pangalay- which
means “gift offering” or “ temple of dance” in Sanskrit- among the Samal, Badjao, Jama Mapun,
and Tausug people of the South. Her exhaustive efforts to promote the Southern arts earned her
the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award, Asia equivalent of the Nobel Peace Prize.
 National Artist of the Philippines
The Order of National Artists has been established by virtue of the Presidential Proclamation
No. 1001’s 1972 and aims to giveappropriate recognition and prestige to Filipinos who have
distinguished themselves and made outstanding contributions to Philippine arts and letters. It is the
highest award conferred by the President of the Philippines to the nation’s artists. The categories
for the Order of National Artists are music, dance, theatre, visual arts, literature, film and
broadcast arts and architecture or allied arts.

The awarding of the Order is administered by the Order of the National Artists Secretariat –
NCCA and CCP—and is conferred by the President of the Philippines every three years. Cultural
organizations, educational institutions and private foundations and councils may submit
nominations for the Order once the Secretariat announces the opening for nominations. The
Secretariat then screens and deliberates these nominations before submitting a list of
recommended nominees to the President. After this, the President will decide the final list of
awardees and will then issue proclamation, conferring the rank and title on the awardees.
 Recipient and representatives of the Order of National Artist with
President Benigno “Nonynoy” Aquino during the 2012 conferment ceremony
Photo courtesy of the NCCA-PAIO
To qualify the National Artists must have the following criteria
1. Living artists who are Filipino citizens at the time of nomination as well as those who died after
the establishment of the award in 1972 but were Filipino citizens at the time of their death.
2. Artist who, through the content ad form of their works, have contributed in building a Filipino
sense of nationhood.
3. Artistswhohavepioneeredinamodeofcreativeexpressionorstylethusearning 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 expressions or
style; and
5. Artists who enjoy broad acceptance through—
a. Prestigiousnationaland/orinternationalrecognitionsuchastheGawadCCP
Para sa Sining, CCP Thirteen Artist Award and NCCA Alab ng Haraya.
b. Critical acclaim and/ or reviews of their works.
c. Respectandesteemfrompeers.
 visual arts

Awardee Date of
Award
Popular Works
Cesar F, Legazpi (+) 1990 Morning Dance, Tree Planting, Man and Woman

Hernando R. Ocampo (++) 1991 Man, and Carabao, Ina ng Ibon

Arturo R. Luz 1997 Candle Vendors, Bagong Taon, Cities of the Past

Ang Kiukok (+) 2001 Angry Figure, Fighting Figures, Crucifixion

Abdulmari Asia Imao 2006 Sarimanok painting and Sculptures

Benedicto R. cabrera 2006 Sabel in Blue,Yello Confeti, The Oriental Fan

Federico Aguilar Alcuaz (++) 2009 Tres Marias, Rveries of Lov, Still Lifewith Landscape

Francisco V. Coching (++) 2014 Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko, Lapu-Lapu

 painting

Awardee Date of
Award
Popular Works
Planting Rice, Fruit Gatherer,
Fernando C. Amorsolo 1972 Under the Mango Tree

1973
Planting of the first Cross, Filipino Struggles through the
Carlos V. Francisco (++) years ( at the manila City Hall) First Mass at Limasawa

Victorio C. Edades (+) 1976 The Builders, The Sketch,The Wrestlers

Vicente S. Manansala (++) 1981 Cubist paintings, Bayanihan, Luksong Tinik,

Stations of the cross (at the UP Chapel

Passengers on to Cathedral Station,

J. Elizalde Navarro (++) 1999 The Frog Dance, The Ilongot war Dance

Jose T. Joya (++) 2003

Abstract paintings; Hills of Nikko, Granadean Arabeque,
Dimension of Fear
 sculpture

Awardee Date of
Award
Popular Works
Oblation (at UP Diliman),Bonifacio <monument (in Caloocan City,
Guillermo E. Tolentino (+) 1973 Bonifacio Monument (at the manila City Hall)

1976
Siyam na Diwata ng Sining (at UP Diliman), Blood Compact
Napoleon V. Abueva Monument (in Bohol), Fredesvinda

Fashion design

Date of
Awardee Award Popular Works
Ramon O. Valera (++) 2006 Philippine Terno
 dance

Awardee Date of
Award
Popular Works
Francisca R. Aquino (+) 1973 Reaches of the Philippine folk dance, Known as
“Mother of the Philippine Dancing”

The Elements, Trend, Return to the Native,

Leonor O. Goquingco (+) 1976 Festival in Maguindanao
Choreography of Folk and Ethnic dances for the
Lucrecia R. Urtula (+) 1988 Bayanihan Dance Company

Ramon Obusan (+) 2006 Founder of Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group; Vamos A belen!
series; Noon po sa Amin,

Founder of Ballet Philippines: Amanda, Itim -Asu,

Alice Reyes 2014 Bayanihan Remembered
 literature

Awardee Date of
Award
Popular Works
Luha ng Buwaya, Mga Ibong Mandaragit,
Amado [Link] (++) 1973 Si Atang at ang Dulaan
Manila, My Manila, Cave and Shadows,
Nick Joaquin (+) 1976 A Portrait of the Artist as a Filipino
I Am a Filipino, I walked with Heroes,
Carlos P. Romulo (+) 1982 Last Man off Bataan
The Flowers of May, Poetry and Politics; The state
Francisco Arcellana (+) 1990 of Original Writing in English in the Philippines Today
Founding Editor of the Diliman Review; First President of the

N.V.M. Gonzales (++) 1997 Philippine Writers Association, The Winds of April, A season
of Grace

Carlos Quirino (+) Man of Destiny; The Great Malayon, Philippine

For Historical Literature 1997 Cartography, Filipinos at War

Edith L Tiempo (+) 1999 A blade of Fern, Commend Contend, The Builder
 F. Sionil Jose (+) 2001 Po-on, Ermita, Gagamba, My Brother,My
Executioner

Virgilio S. Almario 2003 UP Diksyonaryong Filipino; Palipad

Hangin, Buwan, Buwang, Bulawan

Alejandro R. Roces (+) 2003 Of Cocks and Kites, Fiesta, Something

to Crow About

Dr. Bienvenido Ka Bel, Abot-Tanaw; Sulyap at Suri sa

2006 Nagbabagong Kultura at Lipunan, Tales of
Lumbera the Manuvu

Lazaro Francisco (++) 2009 Bayang Nagpatiwakal, Binhi at Bunga,

Maganda Pa ang Daigdig

Cirilo F. Bautista 2014 Boneyard Breaking, Sugat ng Salita,

The Archipelago
 music

Awardee Date of
Award
Popular Works
Known as the “Dean of Filipino Composers”:
Antonio J. Molina (+) 1973 Hatinggano, Ang Batingaw, Kundiman- Kundangan

Founded Asociacion Musical de Filipinas, The Bach

Jovita Fuentes (+) 1976 Society of the Philippines, and the Artists Guild of the
Philippines
Col. Antonio R. Buenaventura Minuet, Pandango sa Ilaw,
1988 Echoes form the Philippines
(+)
Love Songs, Legend of the Sarimanok,
Lucresia R. Kasilag (+) 1989 Ang Paman

Sa Ugoy ng Duyan (co-writer) Lahing

Lucio D. San Pedro (+) 1991 Kayumanggi
Translator of the Spanish Philippine National Anthem
Felipe P. de Leon (++) 1997 to its Tagalog version “ Lupang Hinirang”,
Ako’y Pilipino, LupangTinubuan, Ama Namin
 Levi Celerio (+) Guinness Book of Records Holder for being the only leaf-
1997 player in the world; Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong

Music and Literature Taon (Ang Pasko ay Sumapit), Ikaw, Sa Ugoy ng Duyan

Known for composing his own pieces for

Jose M. Maceda (+) 1997 Southeast Asian musical instruments;
Pagsamba, Cassette 100, Ugnayan

Prof. Andrea Veneracion

1999 Founder of the Philippine Madrigal
Singers
(+)
Inang Bayan, Bato sa Buhangin, Gaano Kita
Ermani J. Cuenco (++) 1999 Kamahal, musical scores of Ang Panday; The
Killing of Satan
Francisco F. Feliciano
(++)
2014 LaLoba Negra, Pokpok Alimpako, Yerma

Ramon P. Santos 2014 Ding Ding Nga Diwaya, Ang Hardin ni

Ligaya, Ang Putting Waling Waling
 ARCHITECTURE AND ALLIED ARTS

Awardee Date of
Award
Popular Works
Quezon City hall (UP Diliman) Interior design of Quiapo
Juan D. Nakpil (+) 1973 Church, University of the Philippines Theatre and
Carillon Tower
Far Eastern University Campus, White Cross
Pablo S. Antonio (++) 1976 Orphanage, chid Garden Hotel
Philippine International Convention Center,
Leandro V. Locsin (+) 1990 Cultural Center of the Philippines
Arch. Ildefonso P. Santos Jr. (+)
Landscape Architecture 2006 Lanscaping of Rizal Park, Cultural Center of the
Philippines, Manila Hotel

Santo Domingo Church, redesigning of Quiapo

Jose Maria V. Zaragoza (++) 2014 Church, Meralco Building.
 THEATER

Honorata “Atang” dela Rama (++)

Theatre and Music
1973 Protector of the Philippines zarzuela and kundiman;
Dalagang Bukid, Veronidia

Wilfrido Ma. Guerero (++) 1976 Wanted; Tsaperon, Movie Artists, Basketball Fight

Rolando S. Tinio (++) Sitsit sa Kuliglig, Dumung-dumungan,

Theater and Literature

1990 Kristal Uniberso

Known as “First Lady of the Philippine Theatre”

Daisy H. Avellana (+) 2006 A portrait of the Filipino as an Artist, Sakay

Severino Montano (++) 2001 The Love of Leonor Revira, Parting at Calamba, Sabina

Salvador F. Bernal (+) Known for using inexpensive local materials such as
2003 bamboo and abaca in theatre design
Theatre Designer
 FILM AND BROADTCAST ARTS

Awardee Date of
Award
Popular Works
Lamberto V. Avellana (+) Anak Dalita, Badjao, Lapu-Lapu
Theater and Film 1976
Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo, Hangang sa
Gerardo P. De Leon (++) 1982 Dulo ng Daigdig, Lilet
Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag, Tinimbang Ka
Lino Brocka (++) 1997 ngunit Kulang, Bayan Ko, Jaguar

Ishmael Bernal (++) 2001 Himala, Manila by Night, Relasyon

Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?

Eddie S. Romero (+) 2003 Aguila, Manila, Open
Ang Probinsiyano, Isang Bala Ka Lang, Ang Pilipinas
Fernando Poe Jr. (++) 2006 kong Mahal, Agila ng Maynila

Legend: (+) deceased; (++) posthumous conferment; * declared valid by Supreme Court GR No. 189028
 2018 Awardees

Awardee Date of Award Popular Works Note

Ryan Cayabyab 2018
Music His works range from commissioned
full-length ballets, theater musicals, choral
pieces, a Mass set to unaccompanied
chorus, and orchestral pieces, to
commercial recordings of popular music,
film scores and television specials.

Francisco 2018
Architecture and Allied Arts: Although he
was popularly known as the architect of
Mañosa the Coconut Palace,[6] his other notable
works include the EDSA Shrine, the Davao
Pearl Farm, and Amanpulo resorts.

Literature : Shri-Bishaya (1969) Malala nga

posthumous
Ramon Muzones 2018 Gutom (Malignant Hunger,1965)[5]
Babae Batuk sa Kalibutan (Woman Against the conferment
World,1959) Ang Gugma sang Gugma Bayaran
(Love with Love Be Paid, 1955)
Si Tamblot (1948) Margosatubig: The Story of
Salagunting (1946)[5]
 Music His works range from commissioned full-
Resil length ballets, theater musicals, choral pieces, a
2018 Mass set to unaccompanied chorus, and orchestral
Mojares pieces, to commercial recordings of popular music,
film scores and television specials.

Visual Arts: He started his cartooning career in 1946 while still attending

Larry
school. After World War II, he created his very first comic strip, Islaw
posthumous
2018
Palitaw, which was printed on the pages of the Filipino weekly magazine
Liwayway. In 1947, he created the comic strip Kalabog en Bosyo, using conferment
Alcala Taglish as the medium of communication of his characters. He pioneered
animated cartoons for television commercials of products such as
Darigold Milk in 1957 and Caltex in 1965.

Theater: She wrote her first play, “Sepang Loca,” in 1957 and
Amelia Lapeña 2018 followed this up with “Rooms” the following year. Both works
won awards in the Wisconsin Playwrighting Competition and
Bonifacio were staged at the UW Play Circle Theater, with the author
herselfdesigning “Sepang Loca.” The two plays were later
published in literary journals in the United States.
Film and Broadcast Arts: Perfumed Nightmare (1977)

Kidlat
Sinong Lumikha ng Yoyo? Sinong Lumikha ng Moon Buggy? (1982) Turumba

2018 (1983) Takedera Mon Amour: Diary of a Bamboo Connection (1991) Why Is Yellow
the Middle of the Rainbow? (with Kidlat Gottlieb Kalayaan; also known as I Am
Tahimik Furious... Yellow, 1989 and 1994) BalikBayan #1: Memories of Overdevelopment
(Redux III, 2015; Redux VI, 2017)Lakbayan (segment: "Kabayan’s Journey to
Liwanang", 2018)
Gawad Sa Manila Ng Bayan GAMABA)

The Philippines also honors artist who are engaged in folk or traditional arts and
who have reached a high level of technical skill and artistic excellence. The award is
called the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) Or National Living Treasures Award.

The categories for GAMABA are folk architecture, maritime transport, weaving,
carving, performing arts, literature, graphic and plastic arts ornament, textile or fiber
art, pottery, and other artistic expressions of traditional culture.

This award was institutionalized by 1992 Republic Act No. 7355, with the NCCA in
charge of its implementation. The process of awarding a Manlilikha ng Bayan is like that
of the Order of the National Artists. However, only NCCA’s ad hoc panel of expertsand
reviewers will screen and review the nominations. They will then, submit the list to the
President of the Philippines for proclamation.
 Recipients of the GAwad ng Manlilikha ng Bayan with President Benigno :Noynoy” Aquino and several National Artist during the 2012 GAMBA conferment
ceremony. Photo courtesy of the NCCA-PAIO.

Like the National Artists, an artist must have special qualities to become a Manlilikha ng Bayan. Below
are the Criteria.
1. The artist should be an inhabitant of an indigenous/traditional, cultural community anywhere in the Philippines
that has preserved indigenous customs, beliefs, rituals, and tradition and or has syncretized whatever
external elements that have influenced it.
2. The artist must have engaged in a folk-art tradition that has been existence and documented for at least fifty
years.
3. The artist must have consistently performed or produced works of superior and distinctive quality over a
significant period.
 5. The artist must possess a mastery of tools and materials needed by the art and must have an
established reputation in the art as master and maker of works of extraordinary technical quality.
6. The artist must have passed on and or will pass on to other members of the community his/her skills in
the folk art for which the community is traditionally known.

A traditional artist who possesses all the qualities of a Manlilikha ng Bayan candidate
but is now incapable of teaching further his/her craft, may still recognized given the following.
1. The artist has created a significant body of work and or/has consistently displayed excellence
in the practice of his/her art, thus achieving important contributions for its development.
2. The artist has been instrumental in the revitalization of his/her community artistic tradition.
3. Theartisthaspassedontotheothermembersofthecommunitytheskillsinthe folk art for which the
community is traditional known.
4. The community of the artist has recognized him/her as master and teacher of his/her craft.

The first group of recognized Manlilikha ng Bayan was composed of Ginaw Bilog of Oriental Mindoro, A Hanunuo
Mangyan poet; Masino Intaray of Brookes Point, Palawan, an epic chanter, and a master of various traditional
instruments, Samaon, Sulaiman of Mamasapano, Maguindanao, a kutyapi master.
Below is the list of Manlilikha ng Bayan from 1993 to 2012.

Date of Indigenous
Awardee Award Group
Cultural Contribution
Hanunuo Bilog preserved the ambahan, a
Ginaw Bilog 1993 Mangyan Mangayn tradition of singing or
Panytayan changting poetry.
Oriental Mindoro

Masimo Pala’wan
An Extraordinary musician and storyteller, Intaray

1993 mastered the arts of the basal (gong musical ensemble)

Intaray Brookes Point, Kulila (lyrical poem sung withtwo-stringed kudyapi), and
bagit (instrumental music played with kudyapi) he also
Palawa, played aroding (mouth Harp) and Babarak (ring flute) and
is a profile epic chanter and storyteller.

Sulaiman perfected the art of playing

Maguindanaon,
Samaon 1993 Mamasapano,
kutyapi (two stringed plucked lute) and
served as the master, teacher of the art in
Sulaiman Maguindano
his hometown and other towns in their
area.
 Lang Dulay was a mater weaver of the
T’boli Lake Sebu,
Lang South Cotabato
traditional T’nalak or T’boli cloth, an
1998 av=baca textile that can only be woven
Dulay through tedious process.

A traditional weaver since age twelve,

Salinta 1998
Bagobo, Bansalan,
Monon preserved the dying art of Bagogo
Davao del Sur
Monon weaving.

Saclag gained perfection in playing Kalinga

Alonzo 2000 Kalinga Lubugan, instruments and dancing patterns and movements
Kalinga associated with rituals. He also advocated the kalinga
Saclag philosophies, and the promotion of their culture to
the rest of the country.

Caballero mastered ten epics of their region including

Federico the Labaw Dunggon and Humadapnon. In addition to
Sulod- this, he also advocated the preservation of traditions in
Caballero 2000 Bukidnon Calinog, his region by travelling from barangay to barangay to
Iloilo encourage other indigenous Groups to learn how to read
and write.
 Uwang Ahadas is a partially blind musical genius who has
Uwang 2000
Yakan Lamitan, mastered and taught several Yakan instruments including
Basilan the kwintangankayu (instrument with five wooden logs hung
Ahadas horizontally), Gabbhang (bamboo xylophone), and Agung

Darhata SAwabi was a master of the

Darhata 2004
Tausug Parang,
traditional pissyabit of the Tausug, preserving
Sulu
Sawabi generations of Tausug designs.

Eduardo Kapampangan Mutuc is a dedicated sculpto of religious and

Mutuc 2004 Apalit,Pamanga secular art in silver, bronze and wood.

Haja Amina 2004

Sama Tandubas, Haja Amina upheld the Sama women tradition of mat
weaving revolutionizing the traditional white mats with her
Tawi-tawi
Appi own designs.

Teofilo 2012
Ilocano A farmer by principle, Garcia became a master artisan of making
tabungaw (casque) that was due to his work and the demand for
San Quintin
Garcia
casques in his era. To promote the art, he continuously made himself
visible in the industry and thought of btter materials to improve the
Abra
quality of Tabungaw.

Magdalena Ilocano Pinili, Gamayo is dubbed as the best artist who has exemplified
2012 Ilocos Norte
the art of Ilocos abel-weaving, threading the most intricate
Gamayo traditional designs that most weavers fail to master.
World-Class Artist
The Philippine contemporary arts have so developed and matured that our artists can now stand proudly on the
world stage.
El Gamma Penumbra
a shadow play group of young locals from Tanauan, Batangas. The group won first place in the first
television production of Asia’s Got talent in Singapore in May 2015. They have conquered the hearts not
only of the Filipinos but of Asians as well.
In visual arts, the Filipinos have also made a big scene. Once again, the Philippines is participating
in the Venice Biennale after fifty-one years of absence. The Venice Biennale is a prestigious international
art exhibition that started in 1895. One of its aims is to showcase the latest work of art from different
nations.
Patrick Flores
professor of Art Studies and curator of the Vargas Museum of the University of the Philippines,
was chosen to curate the Philippine Pavilion. He named the exhibit “Tie a String around the World”.
Representing the Philippines are artists Jose Tence Ruiz, Manny Montellano, Gus Albor, Lito Carating and
Jing Turalba. It is wonderful to know that Philippine Pavilion has been named in the best list and a “must
see” among the international pavilions.
 Cecil Licad
among the first contemporary artists to be acclaimed internationally is a gifted classical pianist. As a child prodigy, she
made her debut at the age of seven as soloist with the Philippine Harmonic Orchestra. She was also one of the youngest
musicians to receive the prestigious Leventritt Competition Gold Medal in 1981.
Lea Salonga
one of several hundred Asian aspirants to be chosen for the role of Kim in the 1989 musical Miss Saigon in London and
later in Broadway for which she received a Tony Award. The Tony award is Broadways equivalent to Hollywood’s Academy
Award, or Oscars. She also performed as Fantine and Eponine in another hit musical, Les Miserables; as singing voice of both
Mulan in the Disney movie Mulan; and Princess Jasmine in another Disney film Alladin.
Lisa Macuja-Elizalde
the country’s first prima ballerina is the first foreign soloist to join Kirov Ballet, a famous Russian ballet company. She
has won several awards both national and foreign- for her recitals. One of these awards is a spot in 1997 Ten Outstanding
Young Persons of the World in the USA. She was also given the Order of International Friendship by Russian President Vladimir
Putin in 2001.
Charice Pempengco (a.k.a Jake Zyrus)
became famous when Ellen Degeneres discovered her on You Tube a few years ago. After a short stint in the United
States, she has returned and is now a popular recording artist.
Philippine arts today are active and vibrant because of the Filipino artist’ talent, creativity, skill and their
perseverance even in times of turmoil that drive them to pursue their dreams.