National Artists in the Philippines

Order of National Artists

Highest recognition for Filipino individuals in arts, granted every 3 years

NCCA

National Commission for Culture and the Arts administers National Artists award

CCP

Cultural Center of the Philippines participates in recommending National Artists

Criteria for Selection

Conditions for artists to be eligible for the Order of National Artists

Lifetime Emolument

Monthly stipend and benefits equivalent to high-ranking officials

Pablo S. Antonio

Modern Philippine architect emphasizing function and natural light

Juan F. Nakpil

Known as the 'Dean of Filipino Architects,' focused on Philippine traditions

Ildefonso P. Santos

Considered the 'Father of Philippine Landscape Architecture'

Jose Maria V. Zaragoza

Known for modern ecclesiastical architecture in Central Luzon

Leandro V. Locsin

Architect blending oriental and occidental themes in major works

Fernando Amorsolo

First National Artist known for backlighting technique in paintings

Cesar Legaspi

Pioneer 'Neo-Realist' artist refining cubism in the Philippines

Hernando Ocampo

Self-taught painter evoking Philippine landscape in bold colors

Arturo Luz

Established Luz Gallery, known for significant paintings and sculptures

Jose T. Joya

Pioneered abstract expressionism in the Philippines

Benedicto Cabrera

Best-selling painter known for emblematic figure 'Sabel'

Federico Aguilar Alcuaz

Painter and sculptor with gestural paintings and classical training in Spain

Francisco Coching

Acknowledged as the 'King of Komiks' and 'Dean of Filipino Illustrators'

National Artist Gold-Plated Medallion

Awarded to National Artists along with a citation

Lifetime Personal Monthly Stipend

Monthly financial support for National Artists

State Funeral Benefit

Benefit provided to National Artists not exceeding a specified amount

Protocular Precedence

Place of honor in state functions and cultural presentations

Abstract Expressionism

Artistic movement emphasizing spontaneous, automatic creation

Cubism

Art style using geometric shapes and interlocking planes

Neo-Realism

Artistic movement portraying reality in a straightforward manner

Landscape Architecture

Designing outdoor areas for aesthetic and environmental purposes

Victorio Edades

Known as the 'Father of Modern Philippine Painting,' with dark, somber colors.

Guillermo Tolentino

Renowned as the 'Father of Philippine Arts,' creator of Bonifacio Monument.

Vicente Manansala

Cubist painter and illustrator, described as teetering on abstraction.

Carlos 'Botong' Francisco

Revived mural art, famous for historical pieces like 'First Mass at Limasawa.'

J. Elizalde Navarro

Versatile artist proficient in painting, sculpting, and graphic designing.

Napoleon Abueva

Considered the 'Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture,' skilled in various materials.

Ang Kiukok

Painter fused cubism, surrealism, and expressionism, known for intense subjects.

Abdulmari Asia Imao

Sculptor, painter, and cultural articulator, popularized indigenous Filipino motifs.

Ramon Valera

Innovative fashion designer known for magical innovations on the Philippine terno.

Jose Garcia Villa

Renowned poet with reversed consonance rhyme scheme and comma poems.

Nick Joaquin

Distinguished Filipino writer in English, known for 'Joaquinesque' style.

Francisco Arcellana

Pioneered lyrical prose-poetic short stories, emphasizing truth in fiction.

Levi Celerio

Prolific lyricist and composer, known for making music using a leaf.

Rolando S. Tinio

Playwright, poet, and inventor of 'Taglish' in Philippine poetry.

Alejandro Roces

Best writer of comic short stories in the Philippines, advocate for Filipino culture.

Cirilo F. Bautista

Multi-awarded poet, fictionist, and essayist, founded literary organizations.

Francisco Sionil Jose

Widely-read Filipino writer depicting class struggles and colonialism in society.

CCP Centennial Honors

A prestigious award for the arts bestowed in 1999.

Outstanding Fulbrighters Award

Literature award received in 1988.

Ramon Magsaysay Award

Award for Journalism, Literature, and Creative Communication Arts in 1980.

Edith L. Tiempo

Poet, fictionist, and founder of Siliman National Writers Workshop.

Amado V. Hernandez

Poet, playwright, and novelist advocating for social justice.

Carlos P. Romulo

First Asian UN General Assembly president and Pulitzer Prize winner.

Virgilio S. Almario

Chairman of Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino and literary critic.

Lazaro Francisco

Known as the 'Master of the Tagalog Novel' for his impactful works.

Bienvenido Lumbera

Introduced Bagay poetry to Tagalog literature and a notable scholar.

Nestor Vicente Madali Gonzalez

Fictionist, essayist, and poet with numerous literary awards.

Carlos Quirino

First recipient of the historical literature category in National Artist Awards.

Alice Reyes

Dancer, choreographer, and promoter of contemporary dance in the Philippines.

Francisca Reyes Aquino

Known as the 'Mother of Philippine Folk Dancing' for her research and contributions.

Ramon Obusan

Dancer, choreographer, and archivist promoting traditional Philippine dance.

Lucrecia Reyes-Urtula

Dance director known for staging various Philippine folk and ethnic dances.

Leonor Orosa-Goquingco

Dubbed 'Mother of Philippine Theater Dance' for her original choreographies.

Antonio J. Molina

Composer known for introducing innovative musical scales and compositions.

Honorata 'Atang' de la Rama

Renowned as the 'Queen of Kundiman' and a star in Spanish sarswelas.

Jose Maceda

Composer, musicologist, and performer known for his diverse contributions to music.

Andrea Veneracion

Renowned choirmaster who founded the Philippine Madrigal Singers

Ramon Santos

Foremost exponent of contemporary Filipino music

Lucrecia Roces Kasilag

Pioneering figure fusing Filipino roots with Western music influences

Antonio R. Buenaventura

Musician committed to advancing Philippine music frontier

Felipe Padilla de Leon

Composer who Filipinized western music forms

Ernani J. Cuenco

Composer who elevated Filipino love ballads with elements of kundiman

Lucio D. San Pedro

Contributed significantly to civic culture through town band music

Francisco Feliciano

Elevated Filipino artistry through works celebrating Asian culture

Jovita Fuentes

Renowned for her portrayal in Giacomo Puccini's Madame Butterfly

Gerardo De Leon

Highly awarded film director known for classics like "Daigdig ng Mga Api"

Ishmael Bernal

Hailed as the genius of Philippine cinema for social commentaries in films

Lino Brocka

Influential filmmaker known for films reflecting marginalized sectors

Manuel Conde

Director known for films based on Filipino tales and world history literature

Lamberto V. Avellana

National Artist for Theater and Film known for revolutionary filmic language

Eddie Romero

Filmmaker delving into history and politics in his works

Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero

Director who founded UP Mobile Theater, bringing theater to the countryside

Salvador F. Bernal

Guru of contemporary Filipino theater design, known for using local materials

Severino Montano

Forerunner in institutionalizing legitimate theater in the Philippines

Daisy Avellana

Elevated legitimate theater and encouraged professionalization of dramatic arts