WHAT ARE NATIONAL ARTISTS?

National Artist is an honorary title issued by some

states as a highest recognition of artists for their
significant contributions to the cultural heritage of
the nation.
 Benedicto Reyes Cabrera is also known as “BenCab”,
he is more popularly known is widely hailed as a master of
contemporary Philippine art.

He was born to Democrito Cabrera and Isabel Reyes in

Malabon on April 10, 1942 in Malabon, Philippines.
He was the youngest of nine Children.

His first exposure and discovery of the arts happened

through his elder Brother Salvador, who was already an
establishes artist during BenCab’s childhood.

A FILIPINOjNATIONAL ARTIST
FOR VISUAL ARTS
He went on to study at the University of the
Philippines College of Fine Arts, where he
explored different art visual forms –
photography, craftsmanship, printmaking –
while honing his chosen craft as a painter.
He received his bachelor’s degree in Fine
Arts in 1963.

He is a painter and printmaker, he has

exhibitedly widely in the Philippines and in
Asia, Europe, and the United States.
- In 2006, he was conferred the order of
National Artists for Visual Arts by
President Goria Macapagal-Arroyo in
Malacanang Palace.

- He has three children; Elisar (born in

1971), a filmmaker based in London;
Mayumi (born in 1973), a model and
actress currently living in Los Angeles;
and Jasmine (born in 1977), a fashion
stylist working in London.
His works have been the subject of five books;

Ben Cabrera: Etchings (1970-1980) by Cid Reyes BenCab's Portraits by Ambeth R. Ocampo
BenCab's Rock Sessions by Eric Caruncho BenCab's Nude Drawings by Alfred Yuson
BENCAB by Alfred Yuson and Cid Reyes
BenCab's Museum
SABEL
“Sabel” by: Ben Cabrera (2008)

- one of BenCab’s most recurring and iconic subjects

throughout his career, was inspired by a real-life
woman, who travels places and begs for food, that
he pictured and sketched in 1965. She

- It portrays the life of a beggar which is a common

scene in Metro Manila.

- The Sabel image has become the artist's vehicle for

the transmission of intensely emotional moods. It is
beautifully situated at the BenCab Museum in
Baguio City, Philippines.