NATIONAL ARTIST

OF THE PHILLIPINES
TO BE A NATIONAL ARTISTS IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE HIGHEST NATIONAL RECOGNITION GIVEN TO FILIPINO INDIVIDUALS
WHO HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF PHILIPPINE ARTS WHICH IS AWARDED BY THE
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS TOGETHER WITH CULTURAL CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES.
 NATIONAL ARTIST FOR VISUAL ARTS
Fernando Amorsolo (May Carlos “Botong” Francisco
30, 1892 – April 24, 1972) (November 4, 1912 –
Amorsolo is the first March 31, 1969) Francisco
National Artist in the revived the art of mural and
country and was known for was considered to be the
using backlighting most distinguished mural
technique in painting painter for about three
making his creations bright decades and was known for
and cheerful. using historical events as
subject matter for his
murals.
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR VISUAL ARTS

Guillermo E. Tolentino (July 24, Napoleon V. Abueva (January 26,

1890 – July 12, 1976) Honored as 1930)
National Artist for Sculpture in 1973 Abueva was considered to be the
and was known for designing the Father of Modern Philippine
seal of the Republic of the Sculpture. He is skillful in creating
Philippines, and the gold and bronze both representational and modern
medals for the abstract sculptures using a wide
Ramon Magsaysay Award. variety of materials. He was also
Tolentino’s works include the “UP known for creating “buoyant
Oblation”. sculpture,” a type of sculpture to be
viewed from the surface of a pool.
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR VISUAL ARTS

Victorio C. Edades (December 23, Vicente Manansala (January 22, 1910

1895 – March 7, 1985) – August 22, 1981)
Recognized as the Father of Modern He was known for his paintings
Philippine Painting and was known depicting realistic themes using an
for using dark somber colors in his abstract or a cubist style. He believed
paintings. His works focused on That “the beauty of art is in the
factory workers, laborers or other process, in the moment of doing a
simple townspeople. particular painting, closely
associating it with the act of making
love.
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR VISUAL ARTS

Cesar Legaspi (April 2, 1917 – April Elizalde Navarro (May 22, 1924 –
7, 1994) June 10, 1999) He was known for his
Legaspi was known for utilizing and hardwood masks reflecting the
refining cubism, a style involving human and the animal, abstract
breaking parts into geometric shapes, paintings in oil and watercolor, and
in his paintings. assemblages. He was also known for
his fiction works for This Week of
the Manila Chronicle, and for his
figurative drawings for Lydia
Arguilla’s Juan tamad.
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR VISUAL ARTS

Ang Kiukok (March 1, 1931 – May Benedicto Cabrera (April 10, 1942)
9, 2005) Known as “Bencab,” Cabrera was
He was known for his paintings noted as the bestselling painter of his
expressing nationalism and generation of Filipino artists and also
sociological agenda during the 60’s known for his sketches of a
through vivid cubistic figures. His scavenger named “Sabel a symbol of
works include “Geometric dislocation, despair and isolation-the
landscape,” “Pieta,” and the “Seated personification of human dignity
Figure.” threatened by life’s circumstance.”
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR VISUAL ARTS

Abdulmari Asia Imao (January 14, Federico Aguilar Alcuaz (June 6,

1936 – December 16, 2014) Imao 1932 – February 2, 2011) Alcuaz was
was instrumental in popularizing the mainly known for his oil and acrylic
ukil, sarimanok and naga motifs in paintings, and sketches in ink, pencil,
the country as original Filipino and watercolor.
creations. He helped in developing
trust and confidence among cultural
groups, which is needed in building a
more humane community and
society.
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR VISUAL ARTS

Francisco Coching (January 29, 1919 Jose T. Joya (June 3, 1931 – 1995)
– September 1, 1998) Tagged as the Joya is known for pioneering abstract
“Dean of Filipino Illustrators,” expressionism in the Philippines. His
Coching is best known for his work most notable work is the Granadean
on comics and illustrations which Arabesque (1958). He also
lead to its recognition as popular art. represented the
He has influenced cartoonists such as Philippines in the 1964 Venice
Larry Alcala, Ben Infante and Nestor Biennale.
Redondo.
 NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR ARCHITECHTURE
Pablo S. Antonio (January 25, 1902 Leandro V. Locsin (August Ildefonso P. Santos (September
– June 14, 1975) He was 15, 1928 – November 15, 5, 1929 – January 29, 2014)
considered a pioneer in modern Santos pioneered landscape
Philippine architecture. A
1994) His designs usually
features themes of architecture in the Philippines.
prominent feature of his designs is
the use of natural light and cross floating volume and a mix His work in the
ventilation. According to Antonio, of both eastern and Makati Commercial Center
buildings should be planned with western aesthetics. incorporated fountains,
austerity in mind and its stability
forever as the aim of true
sculptures and landscapes to a
architecture; that buildings must be shopping area.
progressive, simple in design but  
dignified, true to a purpose without
resorting to an applied set of
aesthetics and should eternally
recreate truth.
 NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR LITERATURE

Historical Literature Francisco Arcellana N.V.M Gonzales (September 8,

Carlos Quirino (November 4, (September 6, 1916 – August 1915 – November 28, 1999)
1910 – May 20, 1999) He is 1, 2002) Nestor Vicente Madali
the first and so far the only Arcellana is a writer, poet, Gonzales is a fictionist,
National Artist for. Historical essayist, critic, journalist and essayist, poet and teacher. He
Literature and was also known teacher, who are recognized as earned numerous recognitions
for writing “The Great one of the pioneers in writing including the First
Malayan,” which considered to modern Filipino short stories Commonwealth Literary
be one of the earliest in English. He also originated Contest in 1940, the Republic
biographies of Jose Rizal. the lyrical prose-poetic form in Cultural Heritage Award in
writing short stories. 1960 and the Gawad CCP Para
sa Sining in 1990.
 NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR LITERATURE

Nick Joaquin (May 4, 1917 – April F. Sionil Jose (December 3, 1924) Alejandro Roces (July 13, 1924 –
29, 2004) He is considered as the F.Sionil Jose is one of the most May 23, 2011) Roces is known for
most distinguished Filipino writer in widely read Filipino writers founded his comic short stories which
English writing. His body of work the Philippine chapter of the includes “My Brother’s Peculiar
extends from short stories to poems Chicken.” He also led the campaign
to essays which includes journalism international organization PEN. to change the country’s
and reportage. He used the name Independence Day from July 4 to
Guerre Quijano de Manila as June 12.
journalist.
NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR LITERATURE

Edith L. Tiempo (April Virgilio S. Almario Amado V. Hernandez

22, 1919 – August 21, (March 9, 1944) Also (September 13, 1903 –
2011) Tiempo is a poet, known as Rio Alma, May 24, 1970)
fictionist, teacher and who is among the Hernandez is known for
literary critic who notable modernist poets. his contribution in the
founded the Siliman He reinvented the development of the
National Writers traditional Filipino Tagalog prose through
Workshop in poetry forms. the use of colloquial
Dumaguete City with style.
her late husband
Edilberto K. Tiempo.
NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR LITERATURE

Carlos P. Romulo (January Bienvenido Lumbera (April Cirilo F. Bautista (July 9,

14, 1899 – December 15, 11, 1932) Lumbera is a 1941)
1985) multi-awarded poet, critic Bautista is a poet, fictionist
Romulo is noted as a and librettist. His works and essayist. He founded
diplomat and an awarded includes Likhang Dila, Philippine Literary Arts
journalist. He is the first Likhang Diwa (poems in Council in 1981, the Iligan
Asian Filipino and English), National Writers Workshop
President of the United 1993; Balaybay, Mga in 1993, and the Baguio
Nations General Assembly, Tulang Writers Group.
and the only Asian to win Lunot at Manibalang, 2002;
the Pulitzer Prize in Sa Sariling Bayan, Apat na
Journalism for his articles Dulang May Musila, 2004;
on the World War II. Tales of the Manuvu and
Rama Hari.
NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR LITERATURE

Lazaro Francisco (February 22, Jose Garcia Villa (August 5,

1898 – June 17, 1980) 1908 – July 7, 1997) Villa is
Francisco is among the recognized as one of the best
prominent writers in the contemporary poets. He is best
Tagalog language. He known for introducing the
established the Kapatiran Ng reversed consonance rhyme
Mga Alagad Ng Wikang scheme and his use of
Pilipino (KAWIKA) in 1958 to punctuation, especially
support Tagalog as national commas.
language.
 NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR DANCE, MUSIC, FILM,
AND THEATER
Cinema/Film Dance Theater
Lamberto V. Avellana (February Francisca Reyes Aquino (March 9, Daisy Avellana (January 26, 1917
12, 1915 – April 25, 1991) 1899 – November 21, 1983) – May 12, 2013) she co-founded
Avellana was tagged as the “The She was known for her research the Barangay Theatre Guild
Boy Wonder of Philippine together with her husband,
on Philippine folk dances, which
Movies” as early as 1939. National Artist Lamberto
later resulted to a thesis entitled
Kalderong Pilak was the first film “Philippine Folk Dances and Avellana, in 1939. This move
by a Filipino filmmaker shown in Games.” It was distributed to made theatre and dramatic arts
Cannes International Film public and private schools. popular in the country. She was
Festival. known as director of films “Diego
Silang” (1968) and “Walang
Sugat” (1971).
 NATIONAL ARTIST FOR VISUAL ARTS

Cinema/Film Dance Theater

Manuel Conde (October 9, 1915 – Leonor Orosa Goquingco (July 24, Honorata “Atang” dela Rama
August 11, 1985) Conde is known for 1917 – July 15, 2005) (January 11, 1902 – July 11, 1991)
producing and directing films based She was known as the “Mother of she was named National Artist for
on old Filipino tales such as Siete Philippine Theater Dance,” Theater and Music in 1987. She was
Infantes de Lara .(1950), Si Juan Goquingco blended folkloric and known as the Queen of Kundiman
Tamad (1974), Ang Ibong Adarna and the first actress to portray a 15-
Asian styles in ballet choreography.
(1941). He also brought to the silver She was a founding member of the year-old in the very first Tagalog film,
screen stories from the other parts Philippine Ballet Theater and the which was the film version of the
of the worlds like Genghis Khan Honorary Chair of the Association of Sarsuela “Dalagang Bukid.”
(1950). Ballet Academies of the Philippines.
 NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR DANCE, MUSIC, FILM,
AND THEATER
Cinema/Film Dance Theater
Eddie S. Romero (July 7, 1924 – Ramon Obusan (June 16, 1938 Salvador F. Bernal (January 7,
May 28, 2013) He is a – December 21, 2006) A 1945 – October 26, 2011)
screenwriter, film director and dancer, choreographer, artistic Honored as National Artist for
producer who is behind the director, researcher, and Theater Design in 2003, Bernal
Filipino classics such as “Ganito documentary filmmaker. He used local materials including
Kami Noon...Paano Kayo was able to promote Filipino bamboo, abaca, hemp twine,
Ngayon?”, “Banta ng Kahapon” culture in other countries using and rattan in theater design for
and “Aguila” as well as the 13- the art of dance through the local productions.
part series “Noli Me Tangere”. Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group.
 NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR DANCE, MUSIC, FILM,
AND THEATER
Cinema/Film Dance Theater
Lino Brocka (April 3, 1939 – May Lucrecia Reyes – Urtula (June 29, Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero (January 22,
22, 1991) Catalino “Lino” Ortiz 1929 – August 24, 1999) Reyes- 1910 – May 1, 1995) He served as
Brocka is recognized for his films Urtula was the dance director of the director of UP Dramatic Club for
which explores the lives of people the Bayanihan Philippine Dance 16 years since 1947. He founded
in the marginalized sectors. Brocka Company, for which she the UP Mobile Theater, which
also directed for theater choreographed different Philippine started the concept of theater
organizations such as the Philippine folk, ethnic dances, pageants and campus tour.
Educational Theater Association festivals.
(PETA) and the Concerned Artists of
the Philippines (CAP).
 NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR DANCE, MUSIC, FILM,
AND THEATER
Cinema/Film Dance Theater
Gerardo de Leon (September 12, Alice Reyes (October 14, 1942) Severino Montano (January 3,
1913 – July 25, 1981) De Leon is a Reyes is known in blending styles 1915 – December 12, 1980) He
prominent film maker in the 50’s and movements from Philippine organized the Arena Theater
and 60’s producing classics such indigenous dance, classical ballet, Playwriting Contest which
as “Daigdig ng Mga Api,” “Noli Me and modern dance in expressing became the initial ground for
Tangere,” “El Filibusterismo,” Filipino subject matters. This is playwrights to showcase their
“dyesebel” and “Sisa.” said to be the “contemporary talents in writing while serving as
dance language that is uniquely Dean of Instruction of the
Filipino.” Philippine Normal College.
 NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR DANCE, MUSIC, FILM,
AND THEATER
Cinema/Film
Ishmael Bernal (September 30, 1938 – June 2, 1996) Bernal, who was hailed by the critics
as “The Genius of the Philippine Cinema,” is known for directing films that projects the
realities of the Filipinos. He was hailed as Director of the Decade of the 1970s by the
Catholic Mass Media Awards; four-time Best Director by the Urian Awards (1989, 1985,
1983 and 1977); and given the ASEAN Cultural Award in Communication Arts in 1993.
Ronald Alan K. Poe (August 20, 1939 – December 14, 2004) More known as Fernando Poe,
Jr. He is an icon in film industry as an actor, director, writer and producer. He starred in
films like “Mga Alabok sa Lupa” (1967), “Partida”. (1985), “Ang Probinsyano” (1996), and
among others.
 NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR DANCE, MUSIC, FILM, AND THEATER

Music
Felipe Padilla de Leon (May 1, 1912 – December 5, 1992) He was known for Filipinizing western
music forms. His.works, which include “Mariang Maikling Overture,” “Maynila Overture,” “Payapang
Daigdig,” and “Ako’y Pilipino,” expressed sentiments and aspirations of the. Filipino in times of strife
and peace.
Lucrecia R. Kasilag (August 31, 1918 – August 16, 2008) she was known for fusing Filipino ethnic
music with Western musical influences. She was also known for incorporating Filipino indigenous
musical instruments in orchestral works.
Antonino Buenaventura (May 4, 1904 – January 25, 1996) He was known for his marches including
the “Triumphal March,” “History Fantasy,” “Echoes from the Philippines,” and “Ode to Freedom.” He
was a conductor of the Philippine Army Band. He wrote compositions for solo instruments,
symphonic and orchestral works, which are based on Philippine folksongs.
 NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR DANCE, MUSIC, FILM, AND THEATER

Music
Ernani Cuenco (May 10, 1936 – June 11, 1988) He was known for the following songs: “Bato sa Buhangin,”
“Gaano Kita Kamahal,” “Inang Bayan,” “Isang Dalangin,” “Kalesa,” and “Pilipinas.” These works brought
contemporary Filipino music to a higher level. The song, “Gaano Kita Kamahal”, he added elements of
Kundiman. He played with the Filipino Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Manila Symphony Orchestra from
1960 to 1968.
Francisco Feliciano (February 19, 1941 – September 19, 2014) His major works include “Ashen Wings,” “Sikhay
sa Kabila ng Paalam,” and “Pamugun.” He was known for the use of modal scales in his operas and orchestral
works. He used indigenous music in his compositions.
Jovita Fuentes (February 15, 1895 – August 7, 1978) She was best known for her portrayal of Cio-cio San in
Giacamo Puccini’s Madame Butterfly in Italy in April 1925. When she returned to the Philippines, she
established the Artists’ Guild of the Philippines in an effort to instill love for opera in her countrymen.
 NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR DANCE, MUSIC, FILM, AND THEATER

Music
Jose Maceda (January 31, 1917 – May 5, 2004) He conducted researches and fieldwork to explore.
Filipino traditional music further and to understand the nature of Philippine ethnic and traditional music. His efforts gave
birth to a huge number of recorded Philippine ethnic and traditional music.
Lucio San Pedro (February 11, 1913 – March 31, 2002) Best known for his compositions “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan,” “Sa Mahal
Kong Bayan,” “Dance of the Fairies,” “Triumphal March,” and “Lahing Kayumanggi,” Lucio San Pedro was the conductor of
the Peng Kong Grand Mason Concert Band, the San Pedro Band of Angono, and the Benda Angono Numero Uno. Working
with these bands and other town bands helped in the development of a civic culture among Filipino communities.
Levi Celerio (April 30, 1910 – April 2, 2002) Celerio is most known for his recognition as the only man who could play
music with a leaf in the Guinness Book of World Records. He also earned Lifetime
Achievement Award of the Film Academy of the Philippines for writing songs for local movies. He was also known as the
dean of Filipino lyricists.
 NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR DANCE, MUSIC, FILM, AND THEATER

Music
Antonio J. Molina (December 16, 1894 – January 29, 1980) Molina was known for introducing the
pentatonic scale, whole tone scale, linear counterpoints and the use of dominant ninths and eleventh
chords in Philippine music.
Ramon P. Santos (February 25, 1941) Santos is a Filipino composer, musicologist and ethnomusicologist
who was made a Chevalier de I’Orde des Arts et Lettres in 1987. He helped in advocating modern
Philippine music that is still based on early Asian practices and way of life.
Andrea Veneracion (July 11, 1928 – July 9, 2013) She was the founder of the world-renowned University
of the Philippines Madrigal Singers, or simply the Philippine Madrigal Singers, which is the first choir in
the world to win the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing twice. Veneracion is also recognized as an
important authority in the development of Philippine choral music.
 GAWAD SA MANLILIKHA NG BAYAN (GAMABA)

• Eduardo Mutuc (2005 awardee) He dedicated his life in creating religious and secular art in silver, bronze
and wood. According to him, craftsmanship begins with respect for one’s tools and the medium, and the only
way to improve one’s skills is to immerse oneself, learn the technique, and to practice.
• Darhata Sawabi (2005 awardee)
• She is a Tausug weaver of pis syabit – the traditional cloth tapestry worn as a head cover. Women in Sulu
province have grown up learning in weaving the pis syabit and she is one of those who took the art of pis
syabit making to heart.
• Haja Amina Appi (2005 awardee) She is recognized as a master mat weaver among the Sama indigenous
community for her unique designs, straightness of her edging (tabig), and fineness of her sasa and kima-kima.
Lang Dulay (1998 awardee) She is a T’boli traditional weaver of “tinalak” or T’boli cloth made of colorful
abaca fabrics. She used abaca fibers as fine as hair which speaks more eloquently than words can.
 GAWAD SA MANLILIKHA NG BAYAN (GAMABA)

• Salinta Monon (1998 awardee) She is a Tagabanwa-Bagobo traditional weaver of distinct abaca
fabrics called inabal. She developed a keen eye for the traditional designs and can identify the designs
as well as the author of a woven piece just by a glance.
• Alonzo Saclag (2000 awardee) He is a Kalinga master of dance and the performing arts who
mastered not only the Kalinga musical instruments but also the dance patterns and movements
associated with his people’s ritual.
• Federico Caballero He is a Sulod-Bukidnon epic chanter who works for the documentation of the
oral literature. He is considered as bantugan which means a person who has attained distinction. He
strikes to dispense justice in the community through his work as a manughusay which is an arbiter of
conflicts.
 GAWAD SA MANLILIKHA NG BAYAN (GAMABA)

• Masino Intaray (1993 awardee) He is a prolific and pre-eminent epic canter and story teller
recognized for his outstanding mastery of various traditional musical instruments of the Palaw’an
people, such as basal, kulilal and bagit. He is an outstanding master of the basal, kulilal (musical
ensemble) and bagit; a gifted pot, bard artist, and musician.
• Samon Sulaiman (1993 awardee) He is Magindanaon, who is highly sophisticated in weaving,
okir designs, jewelry, metalwork and brassware which art is Southeast Asian yet distinct in
character.
• Uwang Ahadas (2000 awardee) His near-blindness eyesight made music his constant
companion. He is a Yakan, a people to whom instrumental music is of much significance,
connected as it is with both the agricultural cycle and the social realm.
 GAWAD SA MANLILIKHA NG BAYAN (GAMABA)

• Ginaw Bilog (1993 awardee) He is a Hanunoo Mangyan who is considered as a master

of the ambahan poetry. He shares old and new ambahans with his fellow Mangyans and
promotes this poetic form in every occasion. A common cultural aspect among cultural
communities nationwide is the oral tradition characterized by poetic verses which are
either sung or chanted.
• Magdalena Gamayo (2012 awardee) She is a master weaver who makes “inabel”, an
Ilokano handwoven cloth. She was awarded for her wide array skills in textile weaving.
Her handiworks are finer than most abel. Her blankets have a very high thread count
and her deigns are the most intricate that sometimes take up to five colors.