Lesson 1 Lesson Title: National Artists

• Qualifications and Benefits of a National Artist Week 5 - 6

• National Artists

The Order of National Artists is the highest recognition given to Filipinos who have
contributed significantly to the status of Philippine arts, such as music, visual arts, literature, film,
broadcast arts, theater, dance, architecture, design, and allied arts. Since its inception in 1972, only 73
individuals have been conferred this highest honor of becoming a National Artist of the Philippines. Of
that number, 26 were awarded posthumously, including the first National Artist, Fernando Amorsolo.

The award was created thru Presidential Proclamation No. 1001, s. 1072 to give recognition and
respect to the citizen that have given outstanding contribution to Philippine arts. Qualified nominees are
studied and reviewed by the NCCA and CCP. They will submit their recommendations to the President
of the Philippines. The President then would release a proclamation granting the artist’s respective rank
and title to the nominees.
(Ramirez, 2016).
Selection Criteria for the National Artists of the Philippines
For a person to be considered in the selection of the National Artists Order of the Philippines, he
or she must possess the following qualities, according to Official Gazette:
• Must be a Filipino citizen;
• Work has contributed to nation-building;
• Their distinctive style and pioneering works impact succeeding generations of artist;
• There is excellence in the practice of their art form;
• Their art form enriches artistic expression or style; and
• Their work is prestigious national and international recognition.

Benefits that will be received by the National Artists:

• The title and rank of a National Artist;
• Medal bearing the insignia of National Artist as well as citation;
• A cash gift of Php 100,000 to the living artist and Php 75,000 for those who were recognized
after their death and which will be given to the heir of the awardee;
• Monthly pension with medical and hospitalization benefits;
• Life insurance to those who are still qualified;
• State funeral and interment at the Libingan ng mga Bayani; and
• A reserved place at state function, awarding ceremonies and cultural events.

List of National Artists

AWARDEES Basic Information Major Works

1. FERNANDO CUETO May 30, 1892 – April 24, 1972 Maiden in a Stream (1921)
AMORSOLO Year Awarded: 1973 El Ciego 91928)
Category: Painting Dalagang Bukid (1936)
Place of Birth; Paco, Manila Planting Rice (1946)

2. FRANCISCA REYES- March 9, 1899 – Nov. 21,
AQUINO 1983
Year Awarded: 1973
Category: Dance
Place of Birth: Bulacan
3. CARLOS “BOTONG” V. Nov. 4, 1912 – March 31,
FRANCISCO 1969
Year Awarded: 1973
Category: Painting
Place of Birth: Angono, Rizal
4. AMADO V. HERNANDEZ Sept. 13, 1903 – May 24, 1970
Year Awarded: 1973
Category: Literature
Place of Birth: Hagonoy
5. ANTONIO MOLINA Dec. 26, 1894 – Jan. 29, 1980
Year Awarded: 1973
Category: Music
Place of Birth: Quiapo, Manila
6. JUAN F. NACPIL May 26, 1899 – May 7, 1986
Year Awarded: 1973
Category: Architecture
Place of Birth: Quiapo, Manila
7. GUILLERMO E. July 24, 1890 – July 12, 1976
TOLENTINO Year Awarded: 1973
Category: Sculpture
Place of Birth: Malolos,
Bulacan
8. LUCRESIA KASILAG Aug. 31, 1918 – Aug. 16, 2008
Year Awarded: 1989
Category: Music
Place of Birth: Sn Fernando,
La Union
9. NAPOLEON V. ABUEVA Jan. 26, 1930
Year Awarded: 1976
Category: Sculpture
Place of Birth: Tagbilaran,
Bohol
10. LAMBERTO V. Feb. 12, 1915 – April 25, 1991
Sunday Morning Going to Town
(1958)
Phil. Folk Dances and Games
(1926)
Philippine National Dance
(1946)
Gymnastics for Girls (1947)
Phil. Folk Dances Vol. 1 – 6
Blood Compact
First Mass at Limasawa
The Invasion of Limahong
The Martyrdom of Rizal
Novel: Mga Ibong Mandaragit
(1969)
Luha ng Buwaya (1972)
Play: Muntinlupa (1957)
Magkabilang Mukha ng Isang
Bagol (1960)
Orchestral Music: Ang Batingaw
Chamber Music: Hating Gabi
Vocal Music: Awit ni Maria
Clara; Larawan nitong Pilipinas
UP Administration Bldg. &
Library
Manila Jockey Club
Old Humanities Bldg, UP Los
Baños
Bonifacio Monument, Caloocan
UP Oblation, Diliman
Ramon Magsaysay statue at
GSIS Bldg.
Love Songs
Legend of the Sarimanok
Ang Pamana
East Meets Jazz Ethnika
Kaganapan (1953)
The Transfiguration (1979)
Eternal Garden Memorial Park
(1967)
Nine Muses of the Arts (1994)
Sakay (1939)
 AVELLANA Year Awarded: 1976 Kalderong Pilak (1954)
Category: Theatre and Film Anak Dalita (1956)
Place of Birth: Bontoc, Badjao (1957)
Mountain Province The Evil Within (1970)
11. LEONOE O. GOQUINCO July 24, 1917 – July 15, 2005 TREND: Return to Native
Year Awarded: 1976 In a Javanese Garden
Category: Dance Vinta!
Place of Birth: Jolo, Sulu Filipinescas: Philippine Life,
Legend and Lore
12. NICK M. JOAQUIN May 4, 1917 – April 29, 2004 The Woman Who Had Two
Year Awarded: 1976 Navels
Category: Literature A Portrait of the Artist as
Place of Birth: Paco, Manila Filipino
Manila, My Manila: A History
for the Young
The Ballad of the Five Battles
Rizal in Saga
Almanac for Manileños
13. VICTORIO C. EDADES Dec. 23, 1895 – March 7, 1985 The Builder (1928)
Year Awarded: 1976 The Sketch (1928)
Category: Painting Market Scene (1920)
Place of Birth: Dagupan, The Wrestlers (1927)
Pangasinan The Interaction (1935 – with
Carlos Francisco & Galo
Ocampo)
14. PABLO S. ANTONIO Jan.25, 1901 – June 14, 1975 Far Eastern University
Year Awarded: 1976 Administration & Science Bldg.
Category: Architecture Manila Polo Club
Place of Birth: Binondo, Ideal Theater
Manila Ramon Roces Publications Bldg.
15. VICENTE S. Jan. 22, 1910 – Aug. 22, 1981 Madonna of the Slums
MANANSALA Year Awarded: 1981 Jeepneys
Category: Painting Kalabaw
Place of Birth: Macabebe, Stations of the Cross (mural)
Pampanga Bangkusay Seascape
Pila Pila sa Bigas
16. CARLOS P. ROMULO Jan. 14, 1899 – Dec. 15, 1985 The United (novel)
Year Awarded: 1982 I walked with Heroes
Category Literature (autobiography)
Place of Birth: Camiling, Forty Years: A Third World
Tarlac Soldier at the UN
17. GERARDO, DE LEON Sept. 12, 1913 – July 25, 1981 Ama’t Anak
Year Awarded: 1982 Ang Maestra
Category: Film Dyesebel
Place of Birth: Manila Banaue
Daigdig ng mga Api
18. LINO BROCKA April 3, 1939 – May 22, 1991 Maynila, Sa Kuko Ng Liwanag
Year Awarded: 1997 / (1975)
Posthumous Conferment in Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang
Film (1974)
Category: Film & Broadcast Insiang (1976)
Place of Birth: Pilar, Sorsogon Bayan Ko, Kapit sa Patalim
(1984)
19. FERNANDDO POE, JR. Aug. 20, 1939 – Dec. 14, 2004 Anak ni Palaris (1955)
Year Awarded: 2006 Mga Alabok sa Lupa (1967)
Category: Film Durugin si Totoy Bato (1977)
Place of Birth: Manila Asedillo (1971)
20. RYAN CAYABYAB May 4, 1954 Ang Larawan (musical) (2017)
Year Awarded: 2018 Tuwing Umuulan (2001)
Category: Music Saan Ka Man Naroroon (1994)
Place of Birth: Santa Cruz, Da Coconut Nut (2001)
Manila
21. CESAR F. LEGASPI April 2, 1917 – April 7, 1994 Morning Dance
Year Awarded: 1990 Tree Planting
Category: Visual Arts Man and Woman
Place of Birth: Tondo, Mla.
22. HERNANDO. R. April 28, 1911 - Dec. 28, 1978 Man and Carabao
OCAMPO Year Awarded: 1991 Ina ng Balon
Category: Visual Arts Slum Dwellers
Place of Birth: Manila Fiesta
23. ARTURO R. LUZ Nov. 20, 1926 Candle Vendors
Year Awarded: 1997 Bagong Taon
Category: Visual Arts Cities of the Past
24. ANG KUIKOK March 1, 1931 – May 9, 2005 Angry Figure
Year Awarded: 2001 Crucifixion
Category: Visual Arts Fighting Figures
Place of Birth: Davao City Seated Clown
25. BENEDICTO CABRERA April 10, 1942 Sabel in Blue
Year Awarded: 2006 Yellow Confetti
Category: Visual Arts The Oriental Fan
Place of Birth: Manila
26. ABDULMARI ASIA Jan. 14, 1936 – Dec. 16, 2014 Sarimanok paintings and
IMAO Year Awarded: 2006 sculptures
Category: Visual Arts Industrial Mural, Central Bank of
Place of Birth: Siasi, Sulu the Philippines
27. FEDERICO A. ALCUAZ June 6, 1932 – Feb. 2, 2011 Tres Marias
Year Awarded: 2009 Reveries of Love
Category: Visual Arts Still Life with Landscapes
Place of Birth: Sta. Cruz, Mla.
28. FRANCISCO V. Jan. 29, 1919 – Sept. 1, 1998 Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko
COCHING Year Awarded: 2014 Lapu-lapu
Category: Visual Arts Haring Ulupong
 Place of Birth: Pasig, MMla.
29. JERRY ELIZALDE May 22, 1924 – June 10, 1999
NAVARRO Year Awarded: 1999
Category: Painting
Place of Birth: San Jose,
Antique
30. JOSE T. JOYA June 3, 1931 – May 11, 1995
Year Awarded: 2003
Category: Painting
Place of Birth: Manila
31. RAMON O. VALERA Aug. 31, 1912 – May 25, 1972
Year Awarded: 2006
Category: Fashion Design
Place of Birth: Abra, CAR
32. LUCRECIA R. URTULA June 29, 1929 – Aug. 24, 1999
Year Awarded: 1988
Category: Dance
Place of Birth: Iloilo city
33. RAMON A. OBUSAN June 16, 1938 – Dec. 21, 2006
Year Awarded: 2006
Category: Dance
Place of Birth: Camarines
Norte, Bicol Region
34. ALICE REYES October 18, 1942
Year Awarded: 2014
Category: Dance
Place of Birth: Manila
35. DR. BIENVENIDO April 11, 1932
LUMBERA Year Awarded: 2006
Category: Literature
Place of Birth: Lipa, Batangas
36. F. SIONIL JOSE Year Awarded: 2001
Category: Literature
Place of Birth: Rosales,
Pangasinan
37. LEVI CELERIO April 30, 1910 – April2, 2002
Year Awarded: 1997
Category: Music & Literature
Place of Birth: Tondo, Manila
38. ERNANI J. CUENCO Year Awarded: 1999
Category: Music
Sagisag ng Lahing Pilipino
Passengers on to Central Station
The Frog Dance
Juan Tamad
The Ilongot War Dance
Abstract Paintings: Hills of
Nikko, Dimension of Fear,
Granadean Arabesque
Philippine Terno
Choreography of folk, and ethnic
dances for the Bayanihan Dance
Company
Founder of Ramon Obusan
Folkloric Group; Vamos A
Belen! Series; Noon Po sa Amin
Founder of Ballet Philippines;
Amada (1969), Itim-Asu(1971),
Bayanihan Remembered (1987),
Rama Hari (1980)
Noli me Tangere: The Musical
Abot Tanaw: Sulyap at Suri sa
Nagbabagong Kultura at Lipunan
Tales of the Manuvu
Po-on,
Ermita,
My Brother, My Executioner
Guiness Book of Records Holder
for being the only leaf=player in
the world
Maligayang Pasko at Manigong
Bagong Taon; Ikaw;
Ang Pasko ay Sumapit; Sa Ugoy
ng Duyan (co-writer)
Inang Bayan; Bato sa Buhangin;
Gaano Kita Kamahal; musical
Scores of Ang Panday
39. LEANDRO V. LOCSIN Aug. 15, 1928 – Nov. 15, 1994 Philippine International
Year Awarded: 1990 Convention Center (PICC)
Category: Architecture Cultural Center of the Phil.
Place of Birth: Silay, Negros (CCP)
Occidental Folk Arts Theater
40. HONORATA “ATANG” Jan. 11, 1902 – July 11, 1991 Protector of Phil. zarzuela and
DELA RAMA Year Awarded: 1973 kundiman; Dalagang Bukid
Category: Theater & Music Mutya ng Pasig
Place of Birth: Tondo, Manila Zarsuelas: Anak ni Eba, Aking
Ina
41. ROLANDO S. TINIO March 5, 1937 – July 7, 1997 Sitsit sa Kuliglig
Year Awarded: 1990 Dunung-dunungan
Category: Theater & Literature Kristal sa Uniberso
Place of Birth: Manila Larawan
42. ISHMAEL BERNAL Sept. 30, 1938 – June 2, 1996 Himala
Year Awarded: 2001 Manila by Night
Category: Film & Broadcast Relasyon
Place of Birth: Quezon City
43. EDDIE ROMERO July 7, 1924 – May 28, 2013 Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo
Year Awarded: 2003 Ngayon?
Category: Film & Broadcast Aguila
Place of Birth: Dumaguete, Banta ng Kahapon
Negros Oriental