NATIONAL ARTISTS
OF THE PHILIPPINES
MODULE 4
The module will give an overview of the national artists
of the Philippines. After going through this module, you
are expected to:
Identify Filipino National Artist and their
contribution to Contemporary Arts
Explain Filipino artist roles
Appreciate and value the Filipino
Contemporary Artist
NATIONAL ARTIST
is a Filipino who has made a significant
contribution to the development of Philippine arts
in the fields of Music, Dance, Theater, Visual Arts,
Literature, Film and Architecture. A Filipino
individual who should have been awarded the
highest national recognition for the arts namely,
National Artist Award. In Filipino context, it is also
known as the Gawad Pambansang Alagad ng
Sining.
Order of the National Artist Award
or
(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.
The order is concurrent administered by the
National Commission for Culture and the Arts
(NCCA) and Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP)
and conferred by the President of the Philippines
upon recommendation by both institutions.
Order of the National Artist Award or
(Orden ng Gawad Pambansang Alagad
ng Sining)
The award is one of the Honors conferred by the
Republic of the Philippines that represents the nation’s
highest ideals in the humanities and aesthetic
expression through the recognizable achievements of
individual citizens. The said achievements are
measured in terms of their vision, unusual insight,
creativity and imagination, technical proficiency of the
highest order in expressing Filipino culture and
traditions, history, way of life, and aspirations.
Order of the National Artist Award or
(Orden ng Gawad Pambansang Alagad
ng Sining)
Under the Proclamation No.1001 dated April 27, 1072 the Order
of the National Artist Award (Orden ng Gawad Pambansang
Alagad ng Sining was established. It gives an appropriate
recognition and prestige to Filipinos who have acclaimed
themselves and made a remarkable contribution to Philippine
arts and letters. The first award was given to Fernando
Amorsolo. On May 15, 1973 under the Proclamation No. 1144,
CCP Board of Trustees was named as the National Artist Awards
Committee. The Presidential Decree No.28 that was issued on
June 7, 1973 reiterated the mandate of CCP to administer the
National Awards as well as the privileges and honors to National
Artist.
The Order of National Artists aims to
recognize:
1. The Filipino artists who have made significant
contributions to the cultural heritage of the country.
2. The Filipino artistic accomplishment at its highest
level and to promote creative expression as
significant to the development of a national cultural
identity.
3. The Filipino artists who have dedicated their lives to
their works to forge new paths and directions for
future generations of Filipino artists.
The following are the seven categories
under which national artists can be
recognized:
[Link] – poetry, fiction, essay, playwriting,
journalism and/or literary criticism;
[Link] and Broadcasting / Broadcast Arts –
direction, writing, production design,
cinematography, editing, camera work, and/or
performance; and
[Link], Design and Allied Arts –
architecture design, interior design, industrial arts
design, landscape architecture and fashion design.
The following are the seven categories
under which national artists can be
recognized:
4. Music - singing, composition, direction, and/or
performance;
5. Dance - choreography, direction and/or performance;
6. Theater – direction, performance and/or production
design;
7. Visual Arts – painting, sculpture, printmaking,
photography, installation art, mixed media works,
illustration, graphic arts, performance art and/or
imaging;
Qualifications for the National Artist
Award
1. Living artists who are natural-born Filipino citizens.
2. The content and form of their work have procured in
building a Filipino sense of nationhood.
3. An artist who have developed a mode of creative
expression or style and living a legend on succeeding
generations of artists.
4. An artist who manifest excellence in the practice of their
art form
5. The artwork made has attained an international and
national recognition.
Insignia of the Order of the National
Artists
is formed from a Grand Collar featuring circular links
depicting the arts and an eight-pointed sunburst
suspended from a sampaguita wreath in green and
white enamel. The center of the badge is divided into
three equal portions, in red, white and blue
representing the Philippine Flag with three stylized
letter K’s that stands for the CCP’s motto “
Katotohanan, Kabutihan at Kagandahan “ ( The true,
the good and the beautiful ). The Grand Collar is
made from silver gilt bronze.
Insignia of the Order of the National
Artists
National Artists of the Philippines
(ARCHITECTURE)
1973 Juan Nakpil
1976 Pablo Antonio
1990 Leandro V. Locsin
2006 Ramon Valera (Fashion Designer)
2014 Jose Maria Zaragoza
2006 Ildefonso P. Santos
National Artists of the Philippines
(ARCHITECTURE)
JUAN FELIPE DE JESUS NAKPIL
He is Filipino architect, teacher and a
community leader. The first Filipino National
Artist for architecture renowned for his
notable works including the University of
the Philippines Administration Building, the
Geronimo de los Reyes Building, Magsaysay
Building, Rizal Theater, Capitol Theater, San
Carlos Seminary, Quezon Institute and
National Artists of the Philippines
(ARCHITECTURE)
PABLO SEBERO ANTONIO,
SR.
He was a Filipino architect; a pioneer
of modern Philippine architecture. His
notable works include the Far Eastern
University (FEU) buildings, Manila Polo
Club, White Cross Orphanage and several
theaters like the Ideal Theater and Lyric
Theater, Dalisay, Forum, Galaxy and Life
National Artists of the Philippines
(ARCHITECTURE)
LEANDRO VALENCIA LOCSIN,
SR.
He was a Filipino architect, artist
and interior designer. His notable works
includes the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice,
Metropolitan Cathedral, Manila Memorial
Park Chapel, Church of Saint Andrew,
Church of the Monastery of the
Transfiguration, St. John the Baptist
National Artists of the Philippines
(FASHION DESIGN)
RAMON VALERA y OSWALDS
He was a Filipino-American fashion
designer and the first Filipino fashion
designer to receive a National Artist
award in 2006. He constructed the terno’s
butterfly sleeves that became the terno’s
defining feature. He also designed the
inaugural gowns of all the first ladies from
Aurora Quezon to Imelda Marcos.
National Artists of the Philippines
(ARCHITECTURE)
JOSE MARIA ZARAGOZA, ILDEFONSO P. SANTOS
National Artists of the Philippines
(DANCE)
1973 Francisca Reyes Aquino
1976 Leonor Orosa-Goquingco
1988 Lucrecia Reyes Urtula
2006 Ramon Obusan
National Artists of the Philippines
(DANCE)
FRANCISCA REYES-AQUINO
She was a Filipino folk dancer and
renowned for her extensive work in
researching, documenting, and
promoting Philippine folk dances. She
is considered the “Mother of Philippine
Dancing.” Her works include the
collection of folk dances, songs and
costumes, as well as the establishment
of the Philippine Folk Dance Society.
National Artists of the Philippines
(DANCE)
Leonor Orosa-Goquingco, Lucrecia Reyes Urtula, Ramon
National Artists of the Philippines
(FILM)
1982 Gerardo de Leon
1997 Lino Brocka
2001 Ishmael Bernal
2003 Eddie S. Romero
2009 Manuel Conde
National Artists of the Philippines
(FILM)
Gerardo de Leon, Lino Brocka
National Artists of the Philippines
(FILM)
ISHMAEL BERNAL
He was a Filipino filmmaker,
stage and television director, actor
and screenwriter. Noted for his
melodramas that often tackled
feminist and moral issues. Among his
notable films are “Pahiram ng Isang
Umaga” (1989), “Broken Marriage”
(1983), “Himala” (1982), “City After
Dark” (1980), and “Nunal sa Tubig”
(1976).
National Artists of the Philippines
(LITERATURE)
1973 Amado V. Hernandez 1973 Jose Garcia Villa
1976 Nick Joaquin 1982 Carlos P. Romulo
1990 Francisco Arcellana 1997 N.V. M Gonzales
1997 Carlos Quirino 1999 Edith L. Tiempo
2001 F. Sionil Jose 2003 Virgilio S. Almario
2006 Bienvenido Lumbera 2009 Lazaro Francisco
2014 Cirilo F. Bautista
National Artists of the Philippines
(LITERATURE)
CARLOS PEŇA ROMULO
He was a Filipino diplomat,
statesman, soldier and author. He was
renowned for his literary works,
particularly his war memoirs and essays
that explores themes of Filipino identity
and struggle for freedom. Some of his
famous works include “I Saw the Fall of
the Philippines”, “I See the Philippines
Rise”, “Mother America”, and the essay
“I Am a Filipino.”
National Artists of the Philippines
(MUSIC)
1973 Antonio J. Molina 1976 Jovita Fuentes
1988 Antonio R. Buenaventura 1989 Lucrecia R.
Kasilag
1991 Lucio D. San Pedro 1997 Felipe Padilla de Leon
1997 Jose Maceda 1997 Levi Celerio
1999 Ernani Joson Cuenco 1999 Andrea O.
Veneracion
2014 Francisco Feliciano 2014 Ramon Santos
National Artists of the Philippines
(MUSIC)
ANDREA OFILADA
VENERACION
She was a Filipino choral
conductor and founded the
Philippine Madrigal Singers in
1963. The Madz is one of the major
choral groups based in UP Diliman.
It is the first choir to win the
European Grand Prix for Choral
Singing twice in 1997 and 2007.
National Artists of the Philippines
(THEATER)
1987 Honorata " Atang" de la Rama
1997 Levi Celerio
1997 Wlfrido Ma. Guerero
1997 Rolando S. Tinio
1999 Daisy Avellana
2001 Severino Montano
National Artists of the Philippines
(THEATER)
HONORATA DE LA RAMA
She was renowned for her
contributions to Philippine theater
and music, particularly her roles in
sarswelas and her advocacy for
kundiman and the sarswelas as
expressions of Filipino culture. She
was a singer, actress, and even a
producer and writer of plays. She was
recognized as the Queen of
Kundiman and Sarswela.
National Artists of the Philippines
(VISUAL ARTS)
1972 Fernando C. Amorsolo 1973 Carlos " Botong" V.
Francisco
1973 Guillermo E. Tolentino 1976 Victorio C. Edades
1976 Napoleon V. Abueva 1981 Vicente Manansala
1990 Cesar Legaspi 1991 Hernando R. Ocampo
1997 Arturo R. Luz 1999 J. Elizalde Navarro
2001 Ang Kiukok 2003 Jose T. Joya
2006 Abdulmari Asia Imao 2006 Bencab
2009 Federico Aguillar Alcuaz 2014 Francisco Coching
National Artists of the Philippines
(VISUAL ARTS)
FERNANDO AMORSOLO Y
CUETO
He was a portraitist and
painter of rural Philippine
landscapes. Nicknamed the
“Grand Old Man of Philippine
Art.” His famous artworks include
“Dalagang Bukid”, “Making of the
Philippine Flag”, “The Mestiza”,
“Planting Rice” and others.
National Artists of the Philippines
(VISUAL ARTS)
DALAGANG BUKID LA MESTIZA
National Artists of the Philippines
(VISUAL ARTS)
NAPOLEON VELOSO ABUEVA
He was known as the “Father
of Modern Philippine Sculpture.”
His major works include
Kaganapan (1953), The
Transfiguration (1979), Nine
Muses (Siyam na Diwata ng
Sining, 1994), Sandugo (Blood
Compact), Sunburst (1994) and
others.
National Artists of the Philippines
(VISUAL ARTS)
SUNBURST THE
Some Works of Filipino National Artist
The works of National Artist can be found in different University
Campuses. One example is the University of the Philippines in
Diliman, Quezon City. The known school symbol is based on
Oblation made by the sculptor Guillermo Tolentino. This work of art
depicts a male nude with arms outstretched that represents a
gesture of sacrifice and freedom. Guillermo Tolentino is a pioneer
of academic tradition in sculpture like Fernando Amorsolo in
Painting. Fernando Amorsolo is known for its romantic paintings
of bucolic landscapes and idealized portraits of well-known
individuals from the Commonwealth Period and the Second World
War. His works can be seen also at the National Museum. Awarded
in 1976, Napoleon Abueva had contributed to the University’s Visual
Arts Heritage.
Some Works of Filipino National Artist
In the Virata School of Business, Jose Tanig Joya’s mural can be
seen entitled Barter of Panay (1978). This work of art is rendered
in the Abstract expressionist style and it consists of soft,
overlapping planes of black, white, orange, brown and golden
yellow. The Church of the Holy Sacrifice in UP Diliman which
was inaugurated in 1955 was credited to be the First Catholic
Church in the country that were able to employ a circular
architecture with a fine thin shell dome. Intricate mathematical
computations with the increasing popularity of concrete that serve
as the building material enabled the smooth rounded church
construction. The said church is recognized as a National Historical
Landmark as well as a Cultural Treasure by the National Historical
Institute.
Some Works of Filipino National Artist
Jose Maceda’s Pagsamba involved a hundred
mixed voices and indigenous musical instruments like
bamboo buzzers, clappers and the like. UP center for
Ethnomusicology was also founded by him where he
donated his valuable collections of sound recordings,
field notes and the like in Ethnomusicology in the
Philippines and South East Asia. In line with this, he
was recognized by the UNESCO Memory of the World.
Some Works of Filipino National Artist
Jose Maceda’s Pagsamba involved a hundred
mixed voices and indigenous musical instruments like
bamboo buzzers, clappers and the like. UP center for
Ethnomusicology was also founded by him where he
donated his valuable collections of sound recordings,
field notes and the like in Ethnomusicology in the
Philippines and South East Asia. In line with this, he
was recognized by the UNESCO Memory of the World.
What I Have Learned
A National Artist is a Filipino citizen who has been given
the rank and the title of National Artist for the
recognition of his/her remarkable contribution to the
development of Philippine arts and letters.
Those who have been proclaimed as National Artists are
given a Grand Collar that embodies their status.
The Order of National Artist is also known as (Orden ng
Gawad Pambansang Alagad ng Sining.
The Order of the National Artist Award was established
by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No.1001 s.1972.
What I Have Learned
There are seven categories in which the National Artist can be
categorized namely; Music, Theater, Visual Arts, Film and
Broadcasting, Literature, Architecture, Design and Allied Arts and
Design.
The NCCA and CCP together administer the nomination and
selection of the chosen artist which are conferred by the
President of the country.
The National Artist award is the country’s highest honor
delineated to an artist who according to the NCCA, “ embodies
the nation’s highest ideals in the humanities and aesthetic
expression through the significant achievements of individual
citizens”