Philippine National Artists

exceptional individuals recognized

under the different forms of arts in
the Philippines
 Introduction

The Order of National Artists (Orden ng

Gawad Pambansang Alagad ng Sining) is the
highest national recognition given to Filipino
individuals who have made significant
contributions to the development of
Philippine arts
 Introduction
Individuals may be awarded in the
following categories:
– Dance
– Theatre
– Visual Arts
– Literature
– Film and Broadcast Arts
– Architecture
– Allied Arts
 Introduction
The awarding process and nomination has
undergone at least four (4) Republic Act
revisions since its inception in 1972 with the
most recent being E.O 236 which now ranks
the award as the fourth highest award that
can be bestowed on a Filipino individual
-Executive Order 435. Amending Section 5 (IV) of Executive Order No. 236 Entitled
"Establishing the Honors Code of the Philippines to Create an Order of Precedence of
Honors Conferred and for Other Purpose" 
 Introduction
The National Artist Award aims to
recognize:

- Filipino artists who made significant contributions to the cultural

heritage of the country

- Filipino artistic accomplishment at its highest level and to promote

creative expression as significant to the development of a national
cultural identity

- Filipino artists who have dedicated their lives to their works to

forge new paths and directions for future generations of Filipino
artists
National Artists of the Philippines

Visual Arts
Napoleon V. Abueva
(b. Jan 26, 1930 in Bohol)
- Known as “The Father of
Modern Philippine Sculpture”
- He was the youngest recipient
of the award, having received
it in 1976 at the age of 46
- Took up Fine Arts in UP and
graduated in 1953; several
scholarship grants soon came
after
- Has utilized a wide array of
materials in his works
(including hardwood, metal,
coral, marble, etc.)
Napoleon V. Abueva
His major works include Kaganapan (1953),
the UP Gateway (1967), and the depiction of the
arrival of Magellan in the island of Mactan
Ang Kiukok
(d. March 1, 1931; d. May 9,
2005)
- Pursued Art Studies in the
University of Santo Tomas
- First attained prominence in
the 1960s with a distinct
style that fused cubism,
surrealism, and expressionism
- Most of his works depicted
violent, angry imagery which
were parallel to the
political and social turmoil
of the era
- Was proclaimed National
Artist in 2001
Ang Kiukok
Some of his major works include Crucifixion,
Catch of the Day, Mother and Son, and several other
Artworks
Victorio C. Edades
(b. December 13, 1895; d.
March 7, 1985)
- Painter and leader of the
“Thirteen Moderns”, a
group that engaged in
debates with their
contemporaries over art
- Worked in factories in
America where he was
gradually influenced by the
burgeoning surrealist and
abstract art movements
there at the time
Victorio C. Edades
- Was dubbed as “The Father
of Modern Philippine
Painting”
- His works were notable for
their bleak, dark tones and
subject matter that
depicted factory workers
and laborers which were
derived from his
experiences as being one
- He was proclaimed National
Artist in 1976
Victorio C. Edades
Some of his works include The Sketch, The Builders,
and several others
Cesar Legaspi
(b. April 2, 1917; d. April 7,
1994)
- Was educated under Pablo
Amorsolo
- Took up a semester of Fine
Arts before pursuing other
commercial art courses
abroad
- Pioneered “Neo-Realism”
in the country
- Was honored National Artist
in 1990
Cesar Legaspi
Fernando Amorsolo
(b. May 3, 1892; d. April 24,
1972)
- Took up Fine Arts in UP
- Was one of the most prolific
and highly recognized Filipino
painters of the early to mid
20th century
- His works are known for their
brightness and exuberance
- Subject matter of his works
often were about Filipina
women, Filipino pastoral
landscapes, and the society of
the Philippines during the
Commonwealth Era and World War
II
Fernando Amorsolo
National Artists of the Philippines

Music
Antonino R. Buenaventura
(b. May 4, 1904; d. January
25, 1996)
- Popularized folksongs and
dances during a research
project in 1935
- Composed and conducted
orchestras and symphonies
based on the rhythm and
melody of Filipino ethnic
folk music
- Was honoured National
Artist in 1988
Antonino R. Buenaventura
One of his pieces entitled “Pandanggo Sa
Ilaw” which was written during the 1930s while
teaching in the University of the Philippines
Jovita Fuentes
(b. February 15, 1895; d.
August 7, 1978)
- One of the first Filipina
opera singers
- Taught at the UP
Conservatory of Music in
1917 before heading to
Milan to pursue further
voice studies
- Played several roles in
several European plays and
received wide acclaim
- Established the Artists’
Guild of the Philippines
Jovita Fuentes
This is a recording by Jovita Fuentes, circa
1930, of the Visayan Balitaw
“Arimunding-munding”
Jose Maceda
(b. January 31, 1917; d. May 5,
2004)
- Was a composer and an
ethnomusicologist (one who
studies ethnic music)
- Dabbled heavily in experimental
music and found sounds (music
concrete) which were directly
influenced from his studies in
Paris
- Conducted researches on the
ethnic music of the
Philippines, as well as from
other Southeast Asian nations
- Was honoured a National Artist
in 1997
Jose Maceda
“Pagsamba” is one of Jose Maceda’s
compositions which featured more influence
from the Music Concrete movement of Paris;
however it also utilized various ethnic wind
instruments
Levi Celerio
(b. April 30, 1910; d. April
2, 2002)
- Became the youngest member
of the Manila Symphony
Orchestra
- Has written nearly 4000
different lyrics for
various folk songs,
Christmas songs, and love
songs
- He was honoured as a
National Artist in 1997
Levi Celerio
With a repertoire of nearly 4000 songs, Levi Celerio’s music encompassed almost two
generations. Here is one of his most famous compositions, the Christmas song “Ang Pasko Ay
Sumapit”
Ernani J. Cuenco
(b. May 10, 1936; d. July 11,
1988)
- Prolific songwriter
- Earned his degree in Music
from UST in 1956
- Played as a cellist and
chamber soloist for the
Manila Symphony Orchestra
- Has received several awards
for his film scores and
ballads
- Was hailed a National
Artist in 1999
Ernani J. Cuenco
“Kundi Man Mahalin” was a writing collaboration between Cuenco and
another National Artist, Levi Celerio.

Personnel in Video:
Tenor—Abdul Candao
Music—Ernani Cuenco
Lyrics—Levi Celerio
Piano—Maryann Baclao
National Artists of the Philippines

Theatre, film, &

cinema
Daisy H. Avellana
(b. January 16, 1917)
- Actor, director, and writer
- Together with her husband,
fellow National Artist
awardee Lamberto Avellana,
and other artists, formed
the Baranggay Theatre Guild
in 1939 which paved the way
for the popularization of
theatre and drama in the
country
Lamberto V.
Avellana
(b. February 12, 1915; d.
April 25, 1991)
- Revolutionized film
narration techniques
- Directed and even starred
in films that garnered
widespread critical acclaim
and has won numerous awards
both locally and
internationally
- Conferred the National
Artist award in 1976
Lamberto V.
Avellana
Selected filmography
Honorata “atang” dela
rama
(b. January 11, 1902; d. July
11, 1991)
- Became the very first
Filipina actress in the
very first Tagalog film
ever released
- Besides acting, she has
performed several Kundimans
and was regarded as the
Queen of Kundiman in 1979
- Was honoured a National
Artist in 1987
Lino brocka
(b. April 3, 1939; d. May 21,
1991)
- Directed an astonishing 66
total films which depicted
the lower class poor of
Manila (prostitutes, slum
dwellers, etc) as well as
homosexuality
- Has also directed plays and
has won awards for them both
locally and internationally
- Was the first openly
homosexual Filipino film
director
- Honoured the National Artist
award in 1997
Lino brocka
Selected
Filmography
Ishmael bernal
(b. September 30, 1938; d.
June 2, 1996)
- Highly acclaimed stage and
film director and
occasional actor
- His film Himala is widely
considered as the greatest
Filipino film of all-time
- He was honoured as a
National Artist in 2001
Ishmael bernal
Selected filmography
National Artists of the Philippines

Architecture
Pablo S. Antonio
(b. January 25, 1902; d. June
14, 1975)
- Pioneer of Philippine modern
architecture
- First came to prominence in
1933 with the construction
of the Ideal Theater in
Manila
- Due to this he was later
commissioned to design
several buildings in the Far
Eastern University campus
- Was awarded the National
Artist honour in 1976.
Pablo S. Antonio
FEU Administration building which he designed
Leandro V. Locsin
(b. August 15, 1928; d.
November 15, 1994)
- Notable for his minimalist
designs, use of concrete,
and floating designs
- “Philippine architecture
is the product of two great
streams of culture—the
oriental and the
occidental...to produce a
new object of profound
harmony”
- Was honoured National
Artist in 1990
Leandro V. Locsin
The CCP Main Building was designed by Locsin
Juan F. Nakpil
(b. 1899; d. 1986)
- His efforts allowed private
Filipino architects and
engineers to participate in
government infrastructure
works
- Redesigned several
historical structures such
as the Quiapo church in the
1930s as well as designing
the Rizal Shrine in Laguna
- Became a National Artist in
1973
Juan F. Nakpil
Rizal Shrine in Calamba, Laguna
Ildefonso P. Santos, Jr.
- Dubbed the “Father of
Modern Philippine Landscape
Architecture”
- Noted for his use of
organic materials and
tropical aesthetics in
dealing with his designs to
form lush landscapes that
transcended into the urban
landscape of Manila and
other cities around the
country
- Became a National Artist in
2006
Ildefonso P. Santos, Jr.
Tagaytay Highlands Resort
National Artists of the Philippines

Dance
Francisca Reyes Aquino
(b. March 9, 1899; d. 1984)
- Pioneered Philippine folk
dance leading her to be
dubbed “Mother of
Philippine Dancing”
- Her continuous research on
indigenous tribal dances in
the far-flung regions of the
Philippines became crucial
in popularizing folk dances
as well as garnering such
mainstream attention
- Dances she has taught
include Alahoy, Binadyong,
and Tinkiling
- She was awarded the National
Artist award in 1973
Francisca Reyes Aquino
Tinikling
Leonor Orosa Goquinco
(b. July 24, 1917; d. July 15,
2005)
- Dubbed the “Mother of
Philippine Theatre Dance”
- Choreographed several dance
plays and musicals and
founded the Philippine
Ballet Theatre
- She was also a critic and
wrote numerous literatures
on several stage plays and
dances
- Was honoured National
Artist in 1976
Leonor Orosa Goquinco
Mapangalay, a Moro-moro choreographed by
Goquinco
Lucrecia Reyes-Urtula
- Dance researcher and
choreographer
- Spent nearly four decades
researching on ethnic
dances and applying them to
her own works
- Formed the Bayanihan Dance
Company which became a
world renowned dance troupe
- Was inducted into the
National Artist registry in
1988
Lucrecia Reyes-Urtula
Singkil as performed by the Bayanihan Dance
Company
Ramon Obusan
(b. June 16, 1938; d. December 21,
2006)
- Internationally acclaimed
dancer, dance researcher, and
musical director
- Was critical of the
Bayanihan’s style, suggesting
that they were not
representative of the true folk
dancers of the Philippines
- In response, he organized the
Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group
which garnered widespread
acclaim
- Was declared National Artist in
2006
SUMMARY
• The National Artist award is given to those
Filipinos who have excelled in the field of the
arts and at the same time preserved the
national identity of the Philippines in their works
• Nearly all of these artists and their works have
an impact in the present Philippine society
– Present architecture and landscape designs have
been influenced by the NA’s of architecture
– Ethnic and folk music still remains visible thanks to
the efforts of the national artists in music who have
strived to maintain that the Filipino cultural heritage
does not dissipate into obscurity
 – Present Philippine cinema and theatre plays owe a
lot to the Filipino pioneers who have not only
garnered local acclaim but also international fame
• But the most important contribution that all of
these National Artists have given is that
because of their incomparable nationalism
and gifted talent, they have established
excellence for the Filipino people and for the
Filipino culture as well as showing a prime
example of exceptional nationalism
Wakas