5.
Dance
What is Contemporary Arts?
and develops from postmodern art, which is itself a
successor to Modern art.
thoughts,
ideas, beliefs, and many other things that define human
life. Simultaneously reflects the realities and values of
our society, its variety portrays the mosaic of our
cultural diversity is culture.
d by
artists who are living in the twenty-first century.
The 7 Major Contemporary Art Forms in the Philippines
1. Music
- Art form that appeals to the sense of hearing,
composed by combining notes into harmony.
2. Literature
- Art form of language through the combined use of
words,creating meaning and experience.
3. Theater
- Art form of performance. Dramatic text is portrayed on
stage by actors and actresses and are enhanced by
props, lights and sounds. form of art in which artists use
their voices and/or their bodies, often in relation to
other objects, to convey artistic expression.
4. Film
- A technological translation of theater, special effects
are utilized to enhance the story telling
- Art of the human form, body is used, mobilized and
choreographed in a specific time, form and space.
6. Architecture, Designs and Allied Arts - structure that
meant to be used as shelter, its art relies on the design
and purpose of the structure.
7. Visual Arts
- Artwork, such as painting, photography, or sculpture,
that appeals primarily to the visual sense and typically
exists in permanent form.
What are the 7 Elements of Art?
The seven elements of art are line, shape, form, space,
value, color and texture. These elements are the
essential components, or building blocks, of any artwork.
Any good artwork should consist of these 7 ingredients.
LINE
Line is the most basic element of art. Without line the
other elements couldn’t exist so let's start here and then
we will gradually go more advanced.
A line can be thought of as a moving dot. If the dots
overlap, it’s a solid line, if they don’t it’s a dotted line. A
line has a beginning and an end and by its existence,
creates an edge.
If a line joins up it forms an outline (also called a
contour). An outline creates a shape.
Lines can be:
Long or short
Thick or thin
A thick line gives emphasis and advances while a thin
line recedes.

Straight
Straight lines on the other hand are more mechanistic
and dynamic and rarely found in nature.
Horizontal
Horizontal lines create the feeling of stability and calm.

Curved
Curved lines change direction gently with no sharp
angles and suggest comfort and ease to the viewer.
Curved lines most often relate to the natural world.

Vertical
Vertical lines give the impression of height and strength
and often have a spiritual connotation.

Zigzag
Zigzag lines alter direction fast and create feelings of
unrest, turmoil and movement.

Imaginary
Lines can be imaginary or implied; for example line of
sight can be a very strong albeit invisible line along
which the viewer’s eye travels. Also a pointing finger can
Diagonal send the viewers eye on a journey through the painting.
Diagonal lines, give movement and dynamism to a
composition. Three Dimensional

Lines alone can also be used to create a three

dimensional effect, (depth, in a 2-dimensional artwork.
Hatching lines (straight or curved) are used to turn shape
into form using value as seen the works of the masters
like Rembrandt.
 SHAPE
When a line meets up to enclose a space, a shape is
formed.
Shapes can be:
Geometric or Organic.
Shapes are 2-dimensional, i.e. they have height and
width but no depth e.g. a square. The best way to
remember the shape element is to think of an outline.
Positive or Negative Shapes
The object you draw on your page is a shape enclosed in
a frame. This frame may be a box you drew to designate
the edges of your drawing area or the edge of the page if
you didn’t draw a box. The object you draw is the
positive shape. The rest of the space in your box (or if
you didn’t draw a box then the rest of the page) is called
negative shape.
FORM
Form is the next step up from shape as we now add
depth to it to create a three dimensional form.
A square (shape) vs a cube, a triangle vs a cone etc. etc.
Form encloses volume i.e. height, width as well as depth.
In drawing and painting form can only be implied
because they are 2-dimesional (flat) media. Artists must
use tricks to fool the viewer’s eye so as to create the
illusion of the third dimension i.e. depth. This is known
as Trompe l’oeil and is achieved using tools like value
(shading), colour and contour lines.
Here you can see how shading has been used to create
the illusion of 3-dimensional objects on a flat wall:
Like shapes, forms can be geometric or organic.
Organic forms are common in nature while geometric
forms are more characteristic of architecture and man-
made items. Nature however also uses geometric forms
on occasion. Examples are crystals and honeycombs.
SPACE
Space is what lies between, around or within an object.
To show space in a 2-dimensional medium the artist
must use techniques to create the illusion of space
between items that are in reality on a flat surface.
VALUE
Value is how light or dark something is.
There is a scale of light and dark from pure white
through to pitch black. The value of a colour depends on
how light or dark it is compared to the value scale.
Value is what makes it possible to show 3-dimensional
forms in a 2-dimensional surface.
By increasing differences in value, contrast is increased
as well. A highlight will look brighter when surrounded
by a dark value. Decreasing contrast will make objects
visually recede into the picture plane and draw less
attention.
The focal point of a painting is where you want to add
the most contrast as this high contrast automatically
draws the viewer’s eye.
If there’s a gradual transition in value it conveys to the
viewer that the surface is gently rounded. This is called a
soft edge.
If however there is a rapid transition between values it
means there is an edge. This is called a hard edge.
Value is also used to create shadows which show light
direction and anchor the object, preventing it from
appearing as though it is floating.
COLOUR

If a painting is done on the lower (darker) edge of the

value scale it is called a “low key” painting. Low key
paintings give rise to a heavy, mysterious, dramatic,
sometimes brooding feeling in the viewer.

https://bestartshop.com/product/large-color-wheel/

By contrast “high key” paintings take their range of

values from the upper end of the value scale and create
emotions of lightness, quickness, spirituality etc.
Most paintings however use the full range of values from
light to dark.
Value is what artists use to portray light and form. The
further from the light the darker the value.

Art supply stores sell interactive colour wheels which are

essential to the artist working with colour. I recommend
this Color Wheel.

How value changes determines the form of an object.

 TEXTURE another. For example, when creating emphasis, the
artist might also be using contrast or vice versa. It is
generally agreed that a successful painting is unified,
while also having some variety created by areas
of contrast and emphasis; is visually balanced; and moves
the viewer's eye around the composition. Thus it is that
one principle of art can influence the effect and impact
of another.

The 7 Principles of Art

Actual texture is the way an object feels to the touch.

Drawing or painting texture on a 2–dimensional, flat

surface is a challenge for artists. The artist must instead
convey the illusion of the actual texture to the viewer on
the flat surface.

Every textured surface reflects light in a very particular

way.

It is possible to create actual 3D texture on a flat surface
by the addition of texturing compounds which create a
raised surface. Impasto paste is one way or you could
even add sand etc. to the paint. Even thick paint will
leave the texture of the brush marks for the viewer to
see.
What are the Principle of Art?
The principles of art represent how the artist uses the
elements of art to create an effect and to help convey
the artist's intent. The principles of art and design are
balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern,
rhythm, and unity/variety. The use of these principles
can help determine whether a painting is successful,
and whether or not the painting is finished.
BALANCE
Balance refers to the visual weight of the elements of
the composition. It is a sense that the painting feels
stable and "feels right." Imbalance causes a feeling of
discomfort in the viewer.
Balance can be achieved in 3 different ways:
Symmetry, in which both sides of a composition have the
same elements in the same position, as in a mirror-
image, or the two sides of a face.
Asymmetry, in which the composition is balanced due to
the contrast of any of the elements of art. For example,
a large circle on one side of a composition might be
balanced by a small square on the other side
Radial symmetry, in which elements are equally spaced
around a central point, as in the spokes coming out of
the hub of a bicycle tire.

The artist decides what principles of art he or she wants

to use in a painting. While an artist might not use all the
principles of design in one piece, the principles are
intertwined and the use of one will often depend on

“The Persistence of Memory” by Salvador Dalí
Balance is the principle of art that involves a well-
adjusted distribution of the visual elements in your
artwork, design, or photography work. This is a principle
that is usually dictated by the symmetrical arrangements
between each element, or the asymmetry of them!
Balance in an artwork creates a sense of equilibrium.
Artists can create balance by arranging elements with
equal or similar visual weight around the canvas. It can
be achieved through symmetrical or asymmetrical
arrangement of the elements. Symmetrical balance is
when both sides of an artwork have equal weight or look
identical, while asymmetrical balance is when the
elements are unbalanced but still maintain a sense of
visual equilibrium.
CONTRAST
Contrast is the difference between elements of art in a
composition, such that each element is made stronger in
relation to the other. When placed next to each other,
contrasting elements command the viewer's
attention. Areas of contrast are among the first places
that a viewer's eye is drawn. Contrast can be achieved
by juxtapositions of any of the elements of
art. Negative/Positive space is an example of contrast.
Complementary colors placed side by side is an example
of contrast. Notan is an example of contrast.
“Composition VIII” by Wassily Kandinsky
Contrast focuses on creating differences between each
element in a composition.
You can juxtapose a large element with a small one,
using complementary colors, or even working with light,
dark and shading.
In general, contrast will add depth and emphasis on the
elements of your artwork.
Caravaggio: Saint Jerome Writing
Contrast is an effective way to emphasise the difference
between two or more elements. The most obvious
examples of contrast in art are value contrast and colour
contrast. Artists can create value contrast in their work,
by using light and dark values next to one another.
Conversely to principles of art like repetition, balance,
harmony and unity, which all contribute to how orderly
an artwork feels, contrast creates variety, emphasis and
focus within an artwork.
EMPHASIS
Emphasis is when the artist creates an area of the
composition that is visually dominant and commands the
viewer's attention. This is often achieved by contrast.
“Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Johannes Vermeer
Emphasis directs the viewer’s attention and guides them PROPORTION
throughout the art piece! You can use this principle by
creating a focal point with color or contrast, size or
placement, so that a specific element dominates the
composition.

Using emphasis correctly, allows you to guide your

viewer around a central point of your artwork, and
travelling through each other element in your artwork.

Emphasis the principle of art describes how artists draw

attention to certain elements within an artwork. This can
be done through the use of contrast, variety and
hierarchy. Elements are combined and placed next to
one another in order to bring attention to and stress the “Vitruvian Man” by Leonardo Da Vinci
differences between those elements.
The principle of proportion refers to the ratio between
MOVEMENT all elements within an artwork, including line length, size
Movement is the result of using the elements of art such of shapes. Specific measurements of different objects
that they move the viewer's eye around and within the and subjects within an artwork don’t need to be known,
image. A sense of movement can be created by diagonal only their relative size or ratio.
or curvy lines, either real or implied, by edges, by the
illusion of space, by repetition, by energetic mark-
making. UNITY

“Starry Night” by Van Gogh “Broadway Boogie Woogie” by Piet Mondrian

Movement and Rhythm create a sense of motion or
“flow”. You can use lines and shapes to create a visual
journey in the composition.
The principle of movement in art relates to the way in
which artists convey a sense of motion and energy.
Movement can also be conveyed through abstract art,
by using lines and curves which suggest motion, as well
as through the use of colour and texture which help to
create visual dynamism.
Unity allows the artist to keep their work cohesive, so
that the elements work well together. It allows you to
define your art as a single piece, instead of a bunch of
separate pieces with unrelated parts.
You can also use Variety to introduce some diversity to
your composition, adding different elements or styles
within the artwork.
Even when creating Pattern, you’ll use variety so the
composition doesn’t look “boring” and it’s more
engaging visually. Unity is also closely tied with harmony.

While unity focuses on the cohesion of the elements

within an artwork, harmony focuses on the relationship
between elements, so that it looks visually pleasant
together.
 PHILIPPINE NATIONAL ARTIST
(CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS)
The Philippines value many significant Filipino artist who
have a prominent contribution to the promotion and
preservation of our cultural heritage. They have made a
notable contribution in their own field of expertise,
obtaining them the Order of National Artist. Categories
Camille Pissarro: Boulevard Montmartre Morning, Grey
for the Order of National Artist are, Music, Dance,
Weather
Theater, Visual Arts, Literature, film and Broadcast Arts
and Architecture or Allied Arts.
Unity is an essential principle in art as it ties separate
elements together into one cohesive whole. This can be
The Order of National Artist
achieved by designing the composition so that elements
relate to one another; this could be demonstrated by
The Order of the National Artists Award (Orden ng
using similar colours throughout the piece, or tying
Gawad Pambansang Alagad ng Sining) is the highest
different elements together with geometric shapes. For
national recognition given to Filipino individuals who
instance, Pissarro used the element of colour to create
have made significant contributions to the development
unity in his artworks. The repetitive use of orange and
of Philippine arts. The order is concurrent administered
black in the figures, lamps and buildings create cohesion
by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts
between different subjects and objects within the scene.
(NCCA) and Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and
conferred by the President of the Philippines upon
Unity is similar to harmony in art, however the two
recommendation by both institutions.
principles are distinct in the way that harmony connotes
to how specific elements are tied together or made to
The award is one of the Honors conferred by the
appear uniform, by drawing on their similarities, then
Republic of the Philippines that represents the nation’s
unity is about how elements maintain a sense of place
highest ideals in the humanities and aesthetic expression
within the artwork as a whole, about how the disparate
through the recognizable achievements of individual
elements of a painting work together to create a sense
citizens. The said achievements are measured in terms
of oneness.
of their vision, unusual insight, creativity and
imagination, technical proficiency of the highest order in
expressing Filipino culture and traditions, history, way of
What is the difference between elements and principles
life, and aspirations.
of art?
Under the Proclamation No.1001 dated April 27, 1072
The difference between elements of art and principles of
the Order of the National Artist Award (Orden ng Gawad
art is their role in the artistic process. Elements of art
Pambansang Alagad ng Sining was established. It gives
refer to the fundamental building blocks, such as line,
an appropriate recognition and prestige to Filipinos who
shape, color, texture and more. These are the
have acclaimed themselves and made a remarkable
foundations for creating the artwork.
contribution to Philippine arts and letters. The first
award was given to Fernando Amorsolo. On May 15,
On the other hand, the principles of art and design are
1973 under the Proclamation No. 1144, CCP Board of
considered the “rules” that artists can follow to organize
Trustees was named as the National Artist Awards
these elements in their composition effectively.
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:
4. An artist who manifest excellence in the practice of
1.The Filipino artists who have made significant their art form
contributions to the cultural heritage of the country.
5. The artwork made has attained an international and
2.The Filipino artistic accomplishment at its highest level national recognition.
and to promote creative expression as significant to the
development of a national cultural identity. 3.The Insignia of the Order of the National Artists
Filipino artists who have dedicated their lives to their
works to forge new paths and directions for future The insignia of the Order of the National Artists is
generations of Filipino artists. formed from a Grand Collar featuring circular links
depicting the arts and an eight-pointed sunburst
The following are the seven categories under which suspended from a sampaguita wreath in green and
National Artists can be recognized: white enamel. The center of the badge is divided into
three equal portions, in red, white and blue representing
1. Literature - poetry, fiction, essay, playwriting, the Philippine Flag with three stylized letter K's that
journalism and/or literary criticism; stands for the CCP's motto Katotohanan, Kabutihan at
Kagandahan" (The true, the good and the beautiful). The
2. Film and Broadcasting / Broadcast Arts-direction, Grand Collar is made from silver gilt bronze.
writing, production design, cinematography, editing,
camera work, and/or performance; and National Artists of the Philippines
3. Architecture, Design and Allied Arts-architecture
The following are the National Artists of the Philippines
design, interior design, industrial arts design, landscape
grouped according to their categories and arranged to
architecture and fashion design.
the chronology of National Artist Award:
4. Music singing, composition, direction, and/or
Architecture
performance;
1973 Juan Nakpil
5. Dance choreography, direction and/or performance.
1976 Pablo Antonio
6. Theater - direction, performance and/or production
1990 Leondro V. Locsin
design;
2006 Ramon Valera
2014 Jose Maria Zaragoza
7. Visual Arts - painting, sculpture, printmaking,
2000 LP Santos
photography, installation art, mixed media works,
illustration, graphic arts, performance art and/or
Dance
imaging:
1973 Francisca Reyes Aquino
Qualifications for the National Artist Award
1976 Leonor Orosa-Goquingeo
1988 Lucrecia Reyes Urtula
The qualifications for a Filipino to be nominated and
2006 Ramon Obusan
selected are rigorous. Below
Film
are the qualifications for the National Artist Award.
1982 Gerardo de Leon
I. Living artists who are natural-born Filipino citizens.
1997 Lino Brocka
2001 Ishmael Bernal
2. The content and form of their work have procured in
2003 Eddie S. Romero
building a Filipino sense of nationhood.
2009 Manuel Conde
3. An artist who have developed a mode of creative
expression or style and living a legend on succeeding
generations of artists.
Literature

1973 Amado V. Hernadez

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

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

Theater

1987 Honorata Atang" de la Rama

1997 Levi Celerio
1997 Wifrido Ma. Guerero
1997 Rolando S. Tinio
1999 Daisy Avellana
2001 Severino Montano

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
National Artists of the Philippines
There are many significant Filipino artists who have
made a mark for the development of Filipino society.
Many of them have made significant contributions in
their own fields, earning them the Order of National
Artists. It has been established by virtue of Presidential
Proclamation No. 1001 s. 1972 and aims “to give
appropriate recognition and prestige to Filipinos who
have distinguished themselves and made outstanding
contributions to Philippine arts and letters.” The Order
of National Artists is the highest award conferred by the
President of the Philippines to the nation’s artists.
The categories for the Order of National Artists are
music, dance, theater, visual arts, literature, film and
broadcast arts, and architecture or allied arts.
The awarding of the Order is administered by the Order
of the National Artists Secretariat – NCCA and CCP- and
is conferred by the President of the Philippines every
three years. Cultural organizations, educational
institutions, and private foundations and councils may
submit nominations for the Order once the Secretariat
announces the opening of nominations. The Secretariat
then screens and deliberates the nominations before
submitting a list of recommended nominees to the
President. After this, the President will decide the final
list of awardees and will then issue a proclamation,
conferring the rank and title on the awardees.
The Order of National Artist (ONA) [Orden ng
Pambansang Alagad ng Sining] is the highest national
recognition given to Filipino individuals who have made
significant contributions to the development of
Philippine arts. It aims to recognize:
a. Filipino artists who have made significant
contributions to the cultural heritage of the country;
b. Filipino artistic accomplishment at its highest level and
to promote creative expression as significant to the
development of a national cultural identity; and
c. Filipino artists who have dedicated their lives to their
works to forge new paths and directions for future
generations of Filipino artists.
The Order of National Artist shall be given to artists who
have met the following criteria:
a. Living artists who are Filipino citizens at the time of
nomination and at the awarding, as well as those who
died after the establishment of the award in 1972 but
were Filipino citizens at the time of their death.
b. Artists who through the content and form of their
works have contributed in building a Filipino sense of
nationhood.
c. Artists who have pioneered in a mode of creative
expression or style, thus, earning distinction and making
an impact on succeeding generations of artists.
d. Artists who have created a substantial and significant
body of works and/or consistently displayed excellence
in the practice of their art form thus, enriching artistic
expression or style.
e. Artists who enjoy broad acceptance through:
e.1 Prestigious national and/or international recognition,
such as the Gawad CCP para sa Sining, CCP Thirteen
Artists Award, and NCCA Haraya Awards (Alab and
Dangal)
e.2 Critical acclaim and/or reviews of their works
e.3 Respect and esteem from peers.
Fernando Amorsolo
National Artist for Visual Arts
(May 30, 1892 – April 24, 1972)
The country had its first National Artist in Fernando C.
Amorsolo. The official title “Grand Old Man of Philippine
Art” was bestowed on Amorsolo when the Manila Hilton
inaugurated its art center on January 23, 1969, with an
exhibit of a selection of his works. Returning from his
studies abroad in the 1920s, Amorsolo developed the
backlighting technique that became his trademark were
figures, a cluster of leaves, a spill of hair, the swell of
breast, are seen aglow on canvas. This light, Nick Joaquin
opines, is the rapture of a sensualist utterly in love with
the earth, with the Philippine sun, and is an accurate
expression of Amorsolo’s own exuberance. His citation
underscores all his years of creativeactivity which have
“defined and perpetuated a distinct element of the
nation’s artistic and cultural heritage”.
Among others, his major works include the following:
Maiden in a Stream(1921)-GSIS collection; El Ciego
(1928)-Central Bank of the Philippines collection;
Dalagang Bukid (1936) – Club Filipino collection; The
Mestiza (1943) – National Museum of the Philippines
collection; Planting Rice (1946)-UCPB collection; Sunday
Morning Going to Town (1958)-Ayala Museum
Collection.
Levi Celerio
National Artist for Literature / Music (1997)
(April 30, 1910 – April 2, 2002)
Levi Celerio is a prolific lyricist and composer for
decades. He effortlessly translated/wrote anew the lyrics
to traditional melodies: “O Maliwanag Na Buwan”
(Iloko), “Ako ay May Singsing” (Pampango),
“Alibangbang” (Visaya) among others.
Born in Tondo, Celerio received his scholarship at the
Academy of Music in Manila that made it possible for
him to join the Manila Symphony Orchestra, becoming
its youngest member. He made it to the Guinness Book
of World Records as the only person able to make music
using just a leaf.
A great number of his songs have been written for the
local movies, which earned for him the Lifetime
Achievement Award from the Film Academy of the
Philippines. Levi Celerio, more importantly, has enriched
the Philippine music for no less than two generations
with a treasury of more than 4,000 songs in an idiom
that has proven to appeal to all social classes.
Fernando Poe, Jr.
National Artist for Cinema (2006)
(August 20, 1939 – December 14, 2004)
Ronald Allan K. Poe, popularly known as Fernando Poe,
Jr., was a cultural icon of tremendous audience impact
and cinema artist and craftsman–as actor, director,
writer and producer.*
The image of the underdog was projected in his films
such as Apollo Robles (1961), Batang Maynila (1962),
Mga Alabok sa Lupa (1967), Batang Matador and Batang
Estibador (1969), Ako ang Katarungan (1974), Tatak ng
Alipin (1975), Totoy Bato (1977), Asedillo (1981), Partida
(1985), and Ang Probinsyano (1996), among many
others. The mythical hero, on the other hand, was
highlighted in Ang Alamat (1972), Ang Pagbabalik ng
Lawin (1975) including his Panday series (1980, 1981,
1982, 1984) and the action adventure films adapted
from komiks materials such as Ang Kampana sa Santa
Quiteria(1971), Santo Domingo (1972), and Alupihang
Dagat (1975), among others. Poe was born in Manila on
August 20, 1939. After the death of his father, he
dropped out of the University of the East in his
sophomore year to support hisfamily. He was the second
of six siblings. He married actress Susan Roces in a civil
ceremony in December 1968. He died on December 14,
2004.
Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA)
The Philippines also honors artists who are engaged in
folk or traditional arts and who have reached a high level
of technical skill and artistic excellence. The award is
called the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) or
National Living Treasures Award.
The categories for GAMABA are folk architecture,
maritime transport, weaving, carving, performing arts,
literature, graphic, and plastic arts, ornament, textile or
fiber art, pottery, and other artistic expressions of
traditional culture.
This award was institutionalized by 1992 Republic Act
No. 7355, with the NCCA in charge of its
implementation. The process or awarding a Manlilikha
ng Bayan is similar to that of the Order of the National
Artists. However, only NCCA’s ad hoc panel of experts
and reviewers will screen and review the nominations.
They will then submit the list to the President of the
Philippines for proclamation.
First awarded in 1993 to three outstanding artists in
music and poetry, the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan has
its roots in the 1988 National Folk Artists Award
organized by the Rotary Club of Makati-Ayala. As a
group, these folk and traditional artists reflect the
diverse heritage and cultural traditions that transcend
their beginnings to become part of our national
character. As Filipinos, they bring age-old customs, crafts
and ways of living to the attention and appreciation of
Filipino life. They provide us with a vision of ourselves
and of our nation, a vision we might be able to realize
someday, once we are given the opportunity to be true
to ourselves as these artists have remained truthful to
their art.
As envisioned under R.A. 7355, “Manlilikha ng Bayan”
shall mean a citizen engaged in any traditional art
uniquely Filipino whose distinctive skills have reached
such a high level of technical and artistic excellence and
have been passed on to and widely practiced by the
present generation in his/her community with the same
degree of technical and artistic competence.