PAOMBONG HIGH SCHOOL, INC.

CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGIONS

(GRADE 12)

Mrs. Ana Lyn D. De Leon

Subject Teacher

MET 3: Filipino Artists’ Roles and Contributions to Contemporary Art

LESSON 7: National Artists

THE FILIPINO ARTIST

The present approach to the arts raises new questions about the role of the artist in
Philippines society. In the past, the artist was very much part of community life. Through time, the
artist's role has come to mean creating — to create something that uplift the spirit, something
aesthetically pleasing and entertaining.

As a rule, the Filipino artist's role is four-fold: the personal, the social, the physical, and
the immaterial.

First, the artist expresses what he or she feels. Then, the artist expresses what he or she
sees around him or her. Also, the artist finds a need to create something useful but also pleasing
to look at. Examples are the burnay or clay pottery of the Ilocos region and the banig or woven
mats of the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

Finally, the artist gives form to the immaterial, the hidden truths of the universe and the
spiritual force that inhabits the world. Because of these roles, the artist is able - refine us and to
elevate our sense of what is beautiful and sublime.

An artist reflects the time and culture of his period but seen in a different light. In this way, he
or she gets to influence his reader, viewer, listener, intentionally or unintentionally.

The artist is a crusader, attempting to sway the viewer to his or her side. In the past
decades, there has been a rise in national fervor. The Filipino artist has become a social critic,
exposing the inequalities of life, the effects of urbanization, globalization and neo-colonialism,
evident in most contemporary works. The artist has also become an advocate for what he or she
believes in. He or she creates an artistic controversy, thereby becoming an agent of change.

The Filipino artist is versatile. He or she creates, not only to realize his or her personal
fulfilment, but also to express a point of view. He or she is a storyteller, narrating everyday life or
extraordinary events; presenting cultures in different lights; and recording and preserving history
for future generations to see.

NATIONAL ARTISTS OF THE PHILIPPINES

There are many significant Filipino artists who have made a mark for the development
 of Filipino society.

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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 for nominations. The
Secretariat then screens and deliberates these 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 of the awardees.

To qualify, the National Artists must have the following criteria:

1. Living artists who are Filipino citizens at the time of the nomination, as well as those who
died after the establishment of the award in 1972 but were Filipino citizens at the time of
their death;

2. Artists who, through the content and form of their works, have contributed in building a
Filipino sense of nationhood;

3. Artists who have pioneered in a mode of creative expression or style, thus earning
distinction and making an impact on succeeding generations of artists;

4. Artists who have created a substantial and significant body of work and/or consistently
displayed excellence in the practice of their art form, thus enriching artistic expression or
style; and

5. Artists who enjoy broad acceptance through —

a. prestigious national and/or international recognition, such as the Gawad CCP Para sa
Sining, CCP Thirteen Artists Award, and NCCA Alab ng Haraya;

b. critical acclaim and/or reviews of their works;

c. respect and esteem from peers.

The first Order (then was National Artist Award) was given in 1972 and the lone awardee was
realist painter Fernando Amorsolo. The next year, seven artists were bestowed the prestigious
 award: Carlos "Botong" Francisco for visual arts; Francisca R. Aquino for dance; Amado V.
Hernandez for literature; Antonio J. Molina for music; Juan F. Nakpil for architecture; Guillermo E.
Tolentino for sculpture; and Jose Garcia Villa for literature.

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Below is the list of National Artists and their most known works. The list is divided per category.

Visual Arts
Awardee Year Popular Works

Cesar F.Legaspi 1990 Morning Dance, Tree Planting, Man and Woman

Hernando R. Ocampo 1991 Man and Carabao, Ina ng Balon

Arturo R. Luz 1997 Candle Vendors, Bagong Taon, Cities of the Past

Ang Kiukok 2001 Angry Figure, Fighting Figures, Crucifixion

Bendicto R. Cabrera 2006 Sabel in Blue, Yellow Confetti, The Oriental Fan

Abdulmari Asia Imao 2006 Sarimanok, paintings and sculptures

Federico Aguilar Alcuaz 2009 Tres Marias, Reveries of Love, Still Life with Landscape

Francisco V. Coching 2014 Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko, Lapu-Lapu, Sabas

Lauro “Larry” Alcala 2018 Dean of Filipino CartoonistsI

Islaw Palitaw (comic strip), Kalabog en Bosyo,

Painting
Awardee Year Popular Works

Fernando C. Amorsolo 1972 Planting Rice, Fruit Gatherer, Under the Mango Tree

Carlos V. Francisco 1973 Planting of the First Cross, Filipino Struggles

Through the Years (at the Manila City Hall), First
Mass at Limasawa

Victorio C. Edades 1976 The Builders, The Sketch, The Wrestlers

Vicente S. Manansala 1981 Cubist paintings, Bayanihan, Luksong-Tinik, Stations

of the Cross (at the UP Chapel)

J. Elizalde Navarro 1999 Passengers on to Central Station, The Frog

Dance, The Ilongot War Dance

Jose T. Joya 2003 Abstract paintings, Hills of Nikko,

Granadean Arabesque, Dimension of Fear

Sculpture
Awardee Year Popular Works
 Guillermo E. Tolentino 1973 Oblation (at UP Diliman), Bonifacio Monument
(in Caloocan City)

Napoleon Abueva 1976 Siyam na Diwata ng Sining (at UP Diliman),

Blood Compact Monument (in Bohol),
Fredesvinda

Fashion Design
Awardee Year Popular Works

Ramon O. Valera 2006 Philippine terno

Salvacion Lim-Higgins 2022 -Innovating and transforming the look of terno into a
world-class silhouette by combining the elements of
Philippine costume with European couture details and
construction.
- introduced draping into traditional
costumes -“convertible ternos”

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Architecture and Allied Arts

Awardee Year Popular Works

Juan D. Nakpil 1973 Quezon Hall (at UP Diliman), Interior design of

Quiapo Church, University of the Philippines Theater
and Carillon Tower

Pablo S. Antonio 1976 Far Eastern University Campus, White

Cross Orphanage, Orchid Garden Hotel

Leandro V. Locsin 1990 Philippine International Convention Center, Cultural

Center of the Philippines, Parish of the Holy
Sacrifice (known as UP Chapel)

Arch. Ildefonso P. 2006 Landscaping of Rizal Park, Cultural Center of

Santos Jr. the Philippines, Manila Hotel
Landscape Architecture

Jose Maria V. Zaragoza 2014 Santo Domingo Church, redesigning of Quiapo

Church, Meralco Building

Francisco Mañosa 2018 San Miguel Corporation Head Office

Complex, Coconut Palace

DANCE
Awardee Year Popular Works

Francisca R. Aquino 1973 Researches of Philippine folk Dance; known

as “Mother of Philippine Dancing

Leonor O. Goquingco 1976 The Elements, Trend: Return to the Native, Festival
in Maguindanao
 Lucresia R. Urtula 1988 Choreography of folk and ethnic dances for
the Bayanihan Dance Company

Ramon Obusan 2006 Founder of Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group; Vamos

A Belen! Series; Noon Po Sa Amin

Alice Reyes 2014 Founder of Ballet Philippines; Amada,

Itim-Asu, Bayaniham Remembered

- dubbed as one of the “most progressive

Agnes Locsin 2022 LITERATURE Philippines” - “neo-ethnic” choreographies and
concepts - Babaylan , Taong Talangka, and
Salome

contemporary choreographers in the

Awardee Year Popular Works

Amado V. Hernandez 1973 Luha ng Buwaya, Mga Ibong Mandaragit, Si Atang

at ang Dulaan

Jose Garcia Villa 1973 The Anchored Angel, The Emperor’s New
Sonnet, Footnote to Youth
Nick Joaquin 1976 Manila, My Manila; Cave and Shadows; A Portrait
of the Artist as Filipino

Carlos P. Romulo 1982 I Am a Filipino, I Walked with Heroes, Last Man

Off Bataan

Francisco Arellana 1990 The Flowers of May, Poetry and Politics; The State
of Original Writing in English in the Philippines
Today

N. V. M. Gonzales 1997Founding Editor of The Diliman Review; First President

of Philippine Writers’ Association; The Winds of April; A
Season of Grace
Carlos Quirino

For Historical Literature 1997 Man of Destiny, The Great Malayan, Philippine
Cartography, Filipinos at War
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Edith L. Tiempo 1999 A Blade of Fern, Commend Contend, The Builder

F. Sionil Jose 2001 Po-on, Ermita, Gagamba, My Brother, My Executioner

Virgilio S. Almario 2003 UP Diksyonaryong Filipino; Palipad-Hangin;

Buwan, Buwang, Bulawan

Alejandro R. Roces 2003 Of Cocks and Kites, Fiesta, Something to Crow About

Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera 2006 Ka Bel, Abot-Tanaw: Sulyap at Suri sa

Nagbabagong Kultura at Lipunan, Tales of Manuvu

Lazaro Francisco 2009 Bayang Nagpatiwakal, Binhi at Bunga, Maganda

Pa ang Daigdig
 Cirilo F. Bautista 2014 Boneyard Breaking, Sugat ng Salita, The Archipelago

Ramon Muzones 2018 Margo sa Tubig

Resil Mojares 2018 Literary Critic and Filipino Historian

Dr. Gémino H. Abad 2022 - writer, critic, scholar, literary historian,

and anthologist
- ten poetry volumes, nine volumes of literary
criticism, two volumes on his own poetics, two
short story collections, a five-volume historical
anthology of Philippine poetry in English, and a
six-volume anthology of Philippine short stories in
English

MUSIC
Awardee Year Popular Works

Antonio J. Molina 1973 Known as the “Dean of Filipino Composers”;

Hatinggabi, Ang Batingaw,
Kundiman-Kundangan

Jovita Fuentes 1976 Founded Asociacion Musical De Filipinas, the Bach

Society of the Philippines, and the artists’ Guild of
the Philippines

Col. Antonino R. 1988 Minuet, Pandanggo sa Ilaw, Echoes from

Buenaventura the Philippines

Lucrecia R. Kasilag 1989 Love Songs, Legend of the Sarimanok, Ang Pamana

Lucio D. San Pedro 1991 Sa Ugoy ng Duyan (co-writer), Lahing Kayumanggi

Felipe P. de Leon 1997 Translator of the Spanish Philippine National Anthem

to its Tagalog version “Lupang Hinirang”; Ako’y
Pilipino, Lupang Tinubuan, Ama Namin
Levi Celerio Guiness Book of Records Holder for being the only
1997
Music and Literature leaf-player in the world; Maligayang Pasko at
Manigong Bagong Taon (Ang Pasko ay Sumapit),
Ikaw, Sa Ugoy ng Duyan (co-writer)

Jose M. Maceda 1997 Known for composing his own pieces for Southeast
Asian musical instruments; Pagsamba, Cassette
100, Ugnayan

Prof. Andrea Veneracion 1999 Founder of the Philippine Madrigal Singers

Ernani J. Cuenco 1999 Inang Bayan, Bato sa Buhangin, Gaano Kita

Kamahal; musical scores of Ang Panday, The Killing
Francisco F. Feliciano 2014 of Satan
La Loba Negra, Pokpok Alimpako, Yerma

Ramon P. Santos 2014 Ding Ding Nga Diwaya, Ang Hardin ni Ligaya,
Ang Puting Waling-waling

Ryan Cayabyab 2018 Musician, composer, conductor

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Fides Cuyugan - Asensio 2022 - opera and musical theater,
- Her performance of Sisa in Felipe de Leon’s Noli
Me Tangere became a hallmark in the
country’s musical theater history

THEATER
Awardee Year Popular Works

Honorata “Atang” 1987 Protector of Philippine zarzuela and

dela Rama kundiman; Dalagang Bukid, Veronidia
Theater and Music

Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero 1997 Wanted: Tsaperon, Movie Artists, Basketball Fight

Rolando S. Tinio 1997 Sitsit sa Kuliglig, Dunung-dunungan, Kristal

Theater and Literature sa Uniberso

Daisy H. Avellana 1999 Known as “First Lady of the Philippine Theater”,

A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino, Sakay

Severino Montano 2001 The Love of Leonor Rivera, Parting at

Calamba, Sabina
Salvador F. Bernal
2003 Known for using inexpensive local materials such
Theater Design
as bamboo ad abaca in theater design

Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio 2018 Author, educator, puppeteer, founder of Teatrong

Mulat ng Pilipinas, known as Grand Dame of
Southeast Asian Children’s Theater; Sepang Loca,
Rooms

Antonio “Tony” Mabesa (+) 2022 - Lion of the Theater

- director, actor, and teacher
- founder of Tanghalang Repertory (Hawaii),
Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (DUP), and UP
Playwright’s Theater (UPPT)

FILM AND BROADCAST ARTS

Awardee Year Popular Works

Lamberto V. Avellana 1976 Anak Dalita, Badjao, Lapu-Lapu

Theater and Film

Gerardo P. De Leon 1982 Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo, Hanggang sa Dulo

ng Daigdig, Lilet

Lino Brocka 1997 Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag, Tinimbang Ka

Ngunit Kulang, Bayan Ko, Jaguar

Ishmael Bernal 2001 Himala, Manila by Night, Relasyon

Eddie S. Romero 2003 Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?,

Aguila, Manila, Open City
 Fernando Poe, Jr. 2006 Ang Probinsyano,Isang Bala Ka Lang!, Ang
Pilipinas Kong Mahal, Agila ng Maynila
Manuel Conde 2009
Ibong Adarna, Si Juan Tamad

Tahimik)2018 The Perfumed Nightmare, Balikbayan #1: Memories of

Eric de Guia (Kidlat
Overdevelopment Redux III, Turumba
- film and television director and screenwriter
Jose Rizal (1998), Muro-Ami (1999), Bagong
Buwan (2001), Noon at Ngayon: Pagsasamang
Marilou Diaz-Abaya (+) 2022
- Brutal (1980), Moral (1982), Karnal (1983), Kay Ganda (2003)
Milagros (1997), Sa Pusod ng Dagat (1998),

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Ricardo “Ricky” Lee 2022 - a screenwriter for film and television,
journalist, playwright, and a multi-awarded
fictionist
- books: Si Tatang at mga Himala ng Ating
Panahon; Pitik-Bulag Sa Buwan Ng Pebrero; Moral;
Para Kay B; and Bukas May Pangarap
- Trip to Quiapo (screenplay manual)

Nora Cabaltera 2022 - known as the Superstar of the Philippine

Villamayor (Nora Aunor) entertainment industry, she has been in different
fields for more than four decades—film, television,
music, and stage
- Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (1976), Minsa'y Isang
Gamu-gamo (1976), Ina Ka ng Anak Mo (1979),
Bona (1980), Himala (1982), Bulaklak sa City Jail
(1984),

SOURCES:
●Benavides-Perez, Angelita, M. A. (2016). Philippine Contemporary Arts: Expressions and
Experimentations. Brilliant Creations Publishing, Inc.: Quezon City.

● https://ncca.gov.ph/2022/06/16/malacanang-confers-8-new-national-artists/
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