NATIONAL ARTIST OF THE PHILIPPINES

MUSIC
ANTONIO BUENAVENTURA 1988 - Named as National Artist for Music in 1988. He was a pioneer in the
research on Philippine Ethnic and Folk Music. One of his most famous compositions was “Pandanggo sa Ilaw.”
Celebrated for his compositions that reflect Filipino Cultural themes. Introduced Philippine folk music, he
joined Francesca reyes aquino in researching about folk songs and dance. He also became the director of the
Conservatory of Music of the University of Sto. Tomas. In 1964, he organized the School of Music and Arts of
the University of the East. Buenaventura died on Jan. 25, 1996.
LEVI CELERIO1997 - A prolific composer and lyricist known for his significant impact on Filipino Music.
He Made the Guinness Book of records for “Playing music using leaves”. He wrote the lyrics of the filipino
lullaby “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan” and also composed folk songs including “Ako ay May Singsing” “Ang pipit” and
“Itik-Itik”. He first learned to play the leaf as an instrument during World War II. He played a young leaf to
Japanese soldiers to prove himself as a musician.
FRANCISCO FELICIANO 2014 - Known for his innovative works in Filipino opera and choral music.
Feliciano contributed to the awareness of people globally, to view the Asian and Philippine culture, as a rich
source of inspiration and a celebration of ethnicity. His major works are “La Loba Negra”, “Sikhay sa Kabilang
Paalam”, “Yerma” and “Pokpok Alimpako” He focuses on contemporary music. La loba Negra tells the story if
the governor general Francisco Bustamante and his subsequent assassination and the revenge of his wife
LUISA, nw called la loba Negra after the death of her husband.
ANTONIO MOLINA 1973 - A key figure in the Philippine music, known for his compositions that blend
western and traditional Filipino elements. He was also known as the Claude Debussy of the Philippines due to
his use of impressionist themes in music. Impresionism music is a style of classical music that explores mood
and atmosphere using timbre, orchestration, and progressive harmonic concepts.
LUCIO D. SAN PEDRO 1991 - San Pedro is known for advocating "creative nationalism“According to him,
representing Filipino identity doesn't just fall from literally using the material from folk songs but rather getting
the most important essence, style and common touch of being a Filipino. A good example of his "creative
nationalism" was his "Lahing Kayumanggi" where he dedicated this piece to "the heroic struggle of the Filipino
people for liberation from colonization." For him composing music is not just about the culture and traditions
like folk songs. But the important of essence and the nationalistic traits of a filipino.
DANCE
LEONOR OROSA GOQUINGCO 1976 - Goquingco was known by many other names such as “Trailblazer”,
“Mother of Philippine Dance Theater” and “Dean of Filipino Performing Arts Critics”. Her most elaborate
project was “Filipinescas: Philippine Life Legend, and Lore”. This performance was toured around the world,
introducing the Philippine dance to the world. She incorporated ballet with folk and Asian dance. She was the
honorary chair of the Association of Ballet Academies of the Philippines (ABAP) and was a founding member
of the Philippine Ballet Theater.
RAMON OBUSAN 2006 - A prominent figure in the documentation and performance of Philippine folk dance.
He started a fledgling folk dance company “Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group” (ROFG). Which reflects the
traditional culture of the Philippines through dance and music. He was a researcher and documentary filmmaker
who broadened and deepened the filipino understanding his own cultural life and expression. The only male
national artist in Dance.
FRANCISCA REYES – AQUINO 1973 - Acknowledge as the “Mother of Philippine Folk Dance”. She is
known as a dancer and researcher of Philippine Folk Dance. Her research of local celebration, ritual, and sport
resulted into a 1926 thesis titled “Philippine Folk Dance and Games” arranged specifically for use by teachers
and playground instructors in public and private schools. She served as supervisor of physical education at the
bureau of education that distributed her work and adapted the teaching of folk dancing as a medium of making
young filipinos to be aware of their cultural heritage.
LUCRECIA REYES URTULA 1988 - Urtula is a choreographer, dance educator, and folk and ethnic dance
researcher. She applied her findings to project a new example of an ethnic dance culture that goes beyond
simple preservation and into creative growth. She staged; Singkil, Vinta, Tagabili, Pagdiwata, Salidsid, Idaw,
Banga, and Aires De Verbesa. “Mother of Philippine Ethnic Dance”. Reyes learned to appreciate the distinct
cultures of the various ethnic groups and was an active participant in the celebrations of festivals and rituals.
Against this backdrop, Reyes developed an enduring interest in the arts, music and dance.
FILM AND BROADCAST
CATALINO BROCKA 1997 - Brocka known as “Actor’s Director” because he groomed many budding actors
into award winning ones. Some of his works are “Tinimbang Ka ngunit kulang”, “Insiang”, “Jaguar”, “Bayan
ko” “kapit sa patalim”, and “Orapronobis”. He also won the “Best Director Award” Locally and International.
Insiang (1976) was the first Philippine film ever shown at the Cannes Film Festival. It was screened in the
Directors' Fortnight section of the 1978 Cannes Film Festival.
RONALD ALLAN K. POE, JR. 2006 - Poe (FPJ/Da King) an actor, director and producer. Some of his works
are “Ang Panday”, “Kahit Konting Pagtingin”, “Dito sa Pitong Gatang”,
“Aguila Pakners”, “Ang Alamat”, “Ang Pag babalik ng Lawin”, “Ang Kampana sa “Santa Quiteria”, “Santo
Domingo” and “Alupihang Dagat”. Inducted him into the FAMAS Hall of Fame in 1988.
ISHMAEL BERNAL 2001 - “The genius of Philippine cinema” is recognized as a director of films that serve
as social commentaries and bold reflection on the existing struggle of the Filipino. Also known for his
melodramas dealing with feminist and moral issues. Some of his works are “Himala”, “City after Dark” and
“Nunal sa Tubig”. A Filipino filmmaker, stage and television director, actor and screenwriter. Noted for his
melodramas, particularly with feminist topic.
LITERATURE
VIRGILIO S. ALMARIO 2003 - Almario also known as “Rio Alma” is a Filipino artist, poet, critic, translator,
editor, teacher and cultural manager. He is also the author of “Makinasyon”, “Peregrinasyon”, “Doktrinang
Anak Pawis”, “Muli”, and “Sa Kandungan ng lupa”. As critic, his critical works deal with the issue of national
language. Aside from being a critic, Almario engaged in translating and editing. He is a National Artist of the
Philippines and currently serves as the chairman of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), the government
agency mandated to promote and standardize the use of the Filipino language.
JOSE GARCIA VILLA 1973 - He is considered as undisputed leader of the “artsakists”. Villa is a
consummate artist, literary critic, short story writer and painter. He used the pen name Doveglion (derived from
"Dove, Eagle, Lion"), based on the characters he derived from his own works.
THEATER
WILFRIDO BARREDO GUERRERO 1997 - He was the director of the UP Dramatic Club for 16 years and
was artistic director of the UP Mobile Theater, the country’s first “theater-on-wheels” where he pioneered the
concept of theater campus tour. For his decades of service to the UP-theater scene, the Dulaang UP theater was
named after him in 1976.
ROLANDO SANTOS TINIO 1997 - He is considered as a “Titan of Philippine Theater” for good reason. He
was a poet, dramatist, director, actor, critic, set and costume designer, essayist, and educator during his lifetime.
He was also known for translating Western classics into Tagalog, bringing Sophocles, Shakespeare, Ibsen,
Checkhov, Puccini, and Verdi to Filipino audiences, and advancing the Filipino language.
VISUAL ARTS
FERNANDO AMORSOLO 1972 - Amorsolo is a portraitist and painter of rural Philippine landscapes. In
addition to that, he is also considered to be the Father of Philippine Realism for his numerous realistic
paintings. Since he was the first national artist recognized, he got the nickname Great Old Man of Philippine
Art.
VICTORIO EDADES 1976 - Edades was a Filipino painter who led the revolutionary thirteen moderns. He
became known as the “Father of Modern Philippine painting”. Most of his painting portrayed the hardship of
the working class. Some of his creations are “The Sketch”, “The Builders”, “Cultural Center of the Philippines
Collection Interaction”.
ARCHITECTURE
GUILLERMO TOLENTINO 1973 - Tolentino was a mentor at University of the Philippines known as the
“Father of Philippine Arts”, among them is Napoleon Abueva. His creations resulted in him being declared as
National Artist for Sculptures by Ferdinand Marcos in 1973, which is three years before his death.

NAPOLEON ABUEVA 1976 - Abueva was known as the “father of Modern Philippine Sculpture”. He studied
at university of the Philippines where one of his mentors was Guillermo Tolentino. He also replicates the
Oblation for UP campus in Los Banos. His famous works are “The transfiguration”, “Kiss of Judas”, “Thirty
pieces of silver” and “UP gateway”.
ILDEFONSO SANTOS JR. 2006 - Santos also known as the “Father of Philippine Landscape for
Architecture”. Designers of majestic parks and urban spaces, he designed the Loyola memorial Park, Paco Park,
Rizal Park, Tagatay High Lands and Crystal Springs. Distinguished himself by pioneering the practice of
landscape architecture. engaging work that has included hundreds of parks, plazas, gardens, and a wide range of
outdoor settings.