Unit 4

Philippine National Artists

Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions

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Lesson 1
National Artists for the Performing
Arts

Unit 4| Philippine National Artists

Contemporary Philippine Arts for the Regions

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LEARNING TARGETS

At the end of this unit, the learners should be

able to do the following:

● Recognize the different Filipino National Artists in the Philippine arts and
their contributions.
● Explain the role of national artists in preserving Filipino culture through their
art.
● Appreciate the effort that national artists have brought to contemporary arts
in the Philippines through performances.

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VALUES AND ATTITUDES

In this unit, learners should be able to do the

following:

● Demonstrate an understanding of the role of national artists in cultural

identity and preservation by reviewing their most notable works.
● Demonstrate patriotism through essay writing.
● Appreciate the artwork of national artists by viewing their performances.

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 ART IS EVERYWHERE

Fernando Amorsolo studied at the University of

the Philippines School of Fine Arts. His father died
when he was 13, and his family moved in with his
mother’s cousin, Fabian Dela Rosa, who became
his mentor. He painted and sketched over 10,000
pieces over his lifetime. He was coined the “Grand
Old Man of Philippine Art.” His notable works
include Fruit Gatherer, Planting Rice, Dalagang
Bukid, and Making of the Philippine Flag.
Fernando C. Amorsolo
First National Artist for Painting (1972) 5
UNIT STIMULUS

Who Am I?
1. Form two groups.
2. There are ten questions for the entire game. Assign a reader for each
question.
3. Select a name from the category posted on the board.
4. One point is awarded to the team with the correct answer.

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Who am I?

Question 1: This architect was awarded posthumously as a

National Artist for Architecture in 1976. One of his major
works was establishing the Far Eastern University
administrative and science building. Who is he?

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Who am I?

Answer: Pablo S. Antonio

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Who am I?

Question 2: Restie Umali, Romulo Pargan, and Alfred

Vitangcol, as well as the National Artists Lucio San Pedro
and Felipe Padilla de Leon, were all students of this National
Artist for Music. Who is he?

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Who am I?

Answer: Antonino Buenaventura

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 Who am I?

Question 3: His most famous work is the exquisite design of Istana

Nurul Iman, the official palace residence of the Sultan of Brunei. In
the Philippines, his most famous works are featured in the Cultural
Center of the Philippines, Folk Arts Theater, Philippine International
Convention Center (PICC), Philippine Center for International Trade
and Exhibition (PHILCITE), and Sofitel Philippine Plaza. Who is
he?

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Who am I?

Answer: Leandro Locsin

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 Who am I?

Question 4: One of her most significant contributions to the country

was the founding of the Filipinescas Dance Company, which
performed folk dances around the Philippines. Who is she?

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Who am I?

Answer: Leonor Orosa-Goquinco

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 Who am I?

Question 5: Who founded the Filipiniana Dance Group?

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Who am I?

Answer: Francisca Reyes-Aquino

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 Who am I?

Question 6: One of his famous works is the ”Da Coconut Nut” song.
Who is he?

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Who am I?

Answer: Ryan Cayabyab

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 Who am I?

Question 7: She incorporated Western music with Philippine ethnic

music. Who is she?

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Who am I?

Answer: Lucrecia R. Kasilag

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 Who am I?

Question 8: She was dubbed the “Queen of Kundiman.” Who is she?

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Who am I?

Answer: Honorata “Atang” Dela Rama

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 Who am I?

Question 9: He was renowned for his inventive use of natural

resources, like using a simple leaf to make music. Who is he?

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Who am I?

Answer: Levi Celerio

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 Who am I?

Question 10: She founded the Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas. Who is

she?

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Who am I?

Answer: Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio

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ART LENS

Honorata Atang de la Rama is hailed as "The

First Star of Philippine Cinema," as she
portrayed the title role in Dalagang Bukid in
1919. She was also called the "Queen of
Kundiman and Sarsuela" for her contributions
to the art form in 1979. Atang received the
title of National Artist in 1987.

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CENTRAL QUESTION

What role does a national artist

play in one's country?

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The title Philippine National Artist (PNA) is given to an individual who has
significantly contributed to the Philippine arts. The award was established
when former President Ferdinand E. Marcos issued Presidential Proclamation
No. 1001, s. 1972, which declared Fernando Amorsolo a National Artist for
Painting after the artist died in 1972. Three other laws—Proclamation No.
1144, s. 1973, Executive Order No. 236, s. 2003, and Executive Order No.
435, s. 2005—supported the mandate. These legalities allowed more PNAs
awarded in various art disciplines, such as architecture, music, dance, theater,
film and broadcasting, literature, and fiction writing. Since then, numerous
others have been awarded the title in subsequent years.

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Works of National Artists in Public Spaces: A Look at UP Diliman

1. Oblation (1935) is a sculptural work by the

classically-trained sculptor Guillermo
Tolentino (awarded in 1973) depicting a
nude male with arms outstretched as a
gesture of sacrifice and freedom.
2. Fernando Amorsolo’s romantic paintings
of bucolic landscapes and idealized portraits
of prominent individuals from the
Commonwealth Period and the Second
World War can be viewed at the Jorge B.
Vargas Museum in UP.
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Works of National Artists in Public Spaces: A Look at UP Diliman

3. Abdulmari Asia Imao’s (awarded in 2006) unnamed sculpture

in the garden of the Vargas Museum is one of the enormous
public sculptures he made.
4. Benedicto Cabrera’s (awarded in 2006) iconic Variations of
Sabel (2015), made of aluminum sheets, can be found at the UP
Theater.
5. Jose Joya’s mural in the Virata School of Business, titled Barter
of Panay (1978), is rendered in the Abstract Expressionist style.
It comprises soft, overlapping black, white, orange, brown, and
golden-yellow planes.
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Works of National Artists in Public Spaces: A Look at UP Diliman
6. The Church of the Holy Sacrifice in UP
Diliman is the first Catholic Church to use a
circular architecture with a thin shell dome
inspired by the spirit of the times. It was designed
by architect Leandro Locsin (awarded in 1990).
7. Napoleon Abueva (awarded in 1973) worked on
the Church of the Holy Sacrifice's wooden cross
and marble altar. In addition to his artwork, the
abstract sculpture Spirit of Business (1979) in
front of the Virata School of Business seems to be
drawn from science fiction and is composed of a
metal disk with sharp-looking poles jutting
through it.
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Works of National Artists in Public Spaces: A Look at UP Diliman
8. Arturo Luz (awarded in 1997)
created the River of Life floor mural
for the Church of the Holy Sacrifice,
suggesting that life is like flowing
rivers from God, the source of life.
9. Vicente Manansala (awarded in
1981) painted the 15 Stations of the
Cross of the Church of the Holy
Sacrifice with the assistance of Ang
Kiukok (awarded in 2001).

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Works of National Artists in Public Spaces: A Look at UP Diliman

10. Jose Maceda (awarded in 1997) was an avant-garde composer, musician,

and ethnomusicologist who founded the UP Center for Ethnomusicology
and donated his collections to the UNESCO Memory of the World.

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TELL ME A STORY!

1. Form a group with three members.

2. Select one National Artist from the following:
Dance: Francisca Reyes-Aquino, Ramon Obusan, Alice Reyes, Leonor
Orosa Goquingco, or Lucrecia Reyes-Urtula
Theater: Honorata “Atang” de la Rama, Lamberto V. Avellana, or
Amelia Lapena-Bonifacio
3. Conduct research on the chosen artist's life, works, and contributions to
Philippine arts and culture.

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TELL ME A STORY!

4. Produce a short story using this format:

a. Introduction (descriptions of the character)
b. Body (the national artist's accomplishments; techniques and styles;
famous works of art)
c. Ending (conclusion with an image, a line of conversation, or echoes
of themes or motifs)
5. Refer to the rubric given below for grading.

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TELL ME A STORY RUBRIC
Performance Levels
Criteria 1 2 3 Score
Beginning Proficiency Average Proficiency Advanced Proficiency

The information is poorly The information is well The information is very well
Completeness of established and provides an established and provides established and provides adequate
Information inadequate illustration of the adequate support for support for enriching the learner’s
(30%) learner’s idea. illustrating the learner’s idea. ideas.

The storyline is not easy to The story is pretty well- The story is very well-organized,
follow. The transitions need to organized. One idea needs logical, and has clear transitions.
Organization be more explicit. to be put in the right place.
(40%) Precise changes are used.

Creativity and The learner shows minimal The learner maximizes the The learner utilizes and maximizes
Resourcefulness evidence of creativity and use of available resources. the use of available resources.
(30%) resourcefulness. Initial ideas are successfully Initial thoughts are successfully
applied and greatly applied and excellently improved.
improved.

Total Possible Score /9 37

Possible answers

The Queen of Philippine Folk Dance (A Story of Francisca Reyes-Aquino)

A young girl named Francisca Reyes from Bocaue, Bulacan dreamed of

becoming a teacher someday. Her dream became a reality after she graduated
from the University of the Philippines with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. As
she pursued a teaching career, physical education captured her heart. She loved
teaching dances, songs, and games. Her passion and dedication to teaching led
her to gather data on folk dances, folk songs, and plays in the local areas of the
Philippines. She traveled to gather all the undocumented folk dances, folk songs,
and games for her physical education class. She published Fundamental Dance
Steps and Music (1957), Philippine Folk Dance, Vol. I (1953), Philippine National
Dances (1946), and Philippine Folk Dance and Games with Petron Ramos (1927).
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Possible answers

The Queen of Philippine Folk Dance (A Story of Francisca Reyes-Aquino)

In 1949, she founded the Philippine Folk Dance Society to bring together people
who like folk dance, people who study physical education, teachers, and people in
charge.

At present, Francisca Reyes-Aquino is an iconic figure in the history of Philippine

dance, earning her the title "Mother of Philippine Folk Dance." She dedicated her life
to preserving and promoting traditional Filipino dances, and her legacy lives on.
Through her hard work and dedication, she was able to train thousands of dancers
and create hundreds of performances that showcased Filipino culture around the
world.

As a dancer and teacher, she significantly affected Philippine dance, and her life
will be remembered for many years.
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ACCORDION STAR

1. Choose a partner.
2. Choose one national artist that you would like to pay tribute to: Antonio
Buenaventura, Jose Maceda, Jovita Fuentes, Lucrecia R. Kasilag, Levi
Celerio, Ernani J. Cuenca, or Ryan Cayabyab.
3. Create an accordion graphic organizer about the chosen National Artist for
Music.
4. The accordion should include the artist’s name and work. Provide the
lyrics of the musical piece if necessary. Refer to the accordion tutorial on
this link (page 37).
5. Give your reaction to the most significant musical piece in the final
section of the illustration, and explain why.
6. Outputs are gauged based on the rubric provided.
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ACCORDION STAR RUBRIC
Performance Levels
Criteria 1 2 3 Score
Beginning Proficiency Average Proficiency Advanced Proficiency

Content The accordion book The accordion book Every side of the
contains very little contains most of the accordion book is as
information, if any. necessary information detailed as possible.
on both sides.

Creativity and The learner shows The learner maximizes The learner utilizes and
Resourcefulness minimal evidence of the use of available maximizes the use of
creativity and resources. Initial ideas available resources. Initial
resourcefulness are successfully applied ideas are successfully
and greatly improved. applied and excellently
improved.

Craftsmanship There are visible marks Minor marks and folds The overall project is
and folds, and the work is aside, some portions of clean; all areas have been
messy. Little effort and the work could have considered, finished, and
information are used. benefited from more exceeded expectations.
attention to detail. 41
Stoplight

STOP CONTINUE START

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PHOTO CREDITS

Slide 5: Fernando Amorsolo is licensed under CC0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Slide 27: Honorata “Atang” de la Rama is licensed under CC0 via Flickr.

Slide 30: The Oblation is licensed under CC-BY-SA via pxfuel.

Slides 32 & 33: Parish of the Holy Sacrifice by Ramon F. Velasquez is licensed under CC-BY-SA-3.0 via
Wikimedia Commons.

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REFERENCES
Amazing Filipino Women Heroes - PVAO. “Amazing Filipino Women Heroes - PVAO,” n.d. https://pvao.gov.ph/pvao-gad-
updates/leonor-orosa-goquingco/.

Dolor, Danny From the collection of. “Leonor Orosa-Goquingco: National Artist for Dance.” Philstar.com, n.d.
https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2020/05/03/2011345/leonor-orosa-goquingco-national-artist-dance.

Dolor, Danny. “Atang Dela Rama: ‘The First Star of Philippine Cinema.’” Philstar.com, n.d.
https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2019/10/13/1959705/atang-dela-rama-the-first-star-philippine-cinema.

Defeo, Ruben. “José María Zaragoza: A Forgotten Architect.” Philstar.com, n.d.

https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/arts-and-culture/2004/07/12/257280/joseacute-mariacutea-zaragoza-forgotten-
architect.

Honorata “Atang” Dela Rama – Provincial Government of Bulacan. “Honorata ‘Atang’ Dela Rama – Provincial
Government of Bulacan,” n.d. https://bulacan.gov.ph/general-info/honorata-dela-rama/.

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REFERENCES

How to End a Short Story - Tips for a Compelling Conclusion. Nathaniel Tower, 2023.
https://nathanieltower.com/how-to-end-a-short-story-tips-for-a-compelling-conclusion/.

Monde, Jeel. “National Artists Of The Philippines In Music - Here Are Some.” Philippine News, May 30, 2022.
https://philnews.ph/2022/05/30/national-artists-of-the-philippines-music-here-are-some/.

National Artists of the Philippines - Free Download PDF. “National Artists of the Philippines - Free Download PDF,” n.d.
https://kupdf.net/download/national-artists-of-the-philippines_59d63f1e08bbc59d5fd1213b_pdf.

PEP.ph. “The Genius of Composer Levi Celerio,” n.d. https://www.pep.ph/lifestyle/14705/the-genius-of-composer-levi-

celerio.

The Order of National Artists | Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. “The Order of National Artists |
GOVPH,” n.d. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/the-order-of-national-artists/.

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REFERENCES

Tariman, Pablo A. “Poetry In Motion — Positively Filipino | Online Magazine for Filipinos in the Diaspora.”
Positively Filipino | Online Magazine for Filipinos in the Diaspora, August 17, 2022.
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/poetry-in-motion.

TriptheIslands.com. “A Brief History of Philippine Architecture | TriptheIslands.Com,” August 14, 2013.

https://triptheislands.com/travel-tips/a-brief-history-of-philippine-architecture/.

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