National Artist for Theatre (2001)

Severino Montano (1915 in Laoag, Ilocos Norte – 12 December 1980) is considered as

one of the Titans of Philippine Theater. He was a playwright, director, actor and theater
organizer with an output of one novel, 150 poems and 50 plays in his 65-year lifetime.
Through the foundation of the Arena Theater, Montano institutionalized “legitimate
theater” in the Philippines. He also have lifetime achievement award as part of National
Artist of the Philippines.
Academically, Montano started his tutelage under a British mentor, Marie Leslie Prising,
when he was thirteen. He studied at the University of the Philippines. He was part of the
UP Stage when he studied in the University of the Philippines. Then a scholarship took
him to the famous English 47 or Workshop 47 playwriting workshops of George Pierce
Baker at Yale University and guided by Broadway names and international personalities
like Komissarjevsky of the famous Moscow Art Theatre.
In 1953, the theater opened with three one-act plays and broke all records of all
performances in n 47 provinces across the country. Four of his plays became tour
staples: the full-length The Love of Leonor Rivera and three one-act plays, Parting at
Calamba, The Ladies and the Philippine theater history.The roving troupe took theater
to near and far-flung barrios in 47 provinces across the country. Four of his plays
became tour staples: the full-length The Love of Leonor Rivera and three one-act
plays, Parting at Calamba, The Ladies and the Senador and Sabina. The Arena Theater
also began a graduate program for the training of playwrights, directors, technicians,
actors and designers.
He trained and directed a new generation of dramatist including Rolando S.
Tinio and Behn Cervantes. The Arena Theater Playwriting Contest also led to the
discovery of Wilfrido Nolledo, Jesus T. Peralta and Estrella Alfon.. His awards include
the Kalinangan Award from the city of Manila (1968), the Presidential Award for Merit in
Drama and Theater (1961), the Citizen’s Committee for Mass Media Award (1967 and
1968), the Pamulinawen Award (1981), and the National Artist Awars include The
Love), of Leonor Rivera (poetic tragedy in two-parts), My Morning Star (poetic historical
tragedy in three-parts), But Not My Sons Any Longer(poetic tragedy in two-
parts), Gabriela Silang (poetic historical tragedy in three-parts), The Merry Wives of
Manila (comedy of manners in three-parts, Sabina (tragedy), The Ladies and the
Senador (satid (2001). He died on December 12, 1980, at the age of 65.