Lance Joseph Martinez

Who Are the Philippines’ 10 Newly Proclaimed National Artists? Here’s What to Know

Article (news)

<p>Another set of Filipino artists has been named <strong>National Artists of the Philippines</strong>, with <strong>Malaca&ntilde;ang&nbsp;</strong>confirming the latest awardees on Wednesday night.</p><p>The<strong>&nbsp;Order of National Artists</strong> is the country&rsquo;s highest state honor for individuals who have made significant contributions to the development and advancement of Philippine arts and culture. The prestigious recognition is conferred by the President of the Philippines to Filipino nationals whose work has left a lasting impact on their respective artistic fields.</p><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FabscbnNEWS%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02VnN2UuSZXNmUuae5qe5v2M1qVXFCJotKbQtSRr2USqobLxsYZmb3hHH21QjVJCXl&show_text=false&width=500" width="500" height="498" style="border:none;overflow:hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br></div><div><br></div><p>Aside from the honor, National Artists receive a cash award, a monthly life pension, medical and hospitalization benefits, and life insurance coverage. They are also entitled to a state funeral and a place of honor during national state functions.</p><p>Among the artists previously bestowed with the prestigious title are screenwriter<strong>&nbsp;Ricky Lee</strong>, who was named <strong>National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts</strong> in 2022; veteran actress <strong>Nora Aunor</strong>, who was also recognized for<strong>&nbsp;Film and Broadcast Arts</strong>; and composer<strong>&nbsp;Ryan Cayabyab</strong>, who was named <strong>National Artist for Music</strong> in 2018.</p><p>Now, 10 more Filipinos have joined the esteemed roster of National Artists. Through<strong>&nbsp;Proclamation No. 1414,</strong> dated September 1, <strong>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.&nbsp;</strong>formally proclaimed 10 Filipinos as National Artists, recognizing their significant contributions to their respective fields.</p><div><strong><em>Get to know the newest National Artists of the Philippines and the artistic fields they have helped shape.</em></strong></div><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Gabby Formoso (Architecture)</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1789022097330Mr.-Gabriel-P.-Formoso-487x600.webp" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Photo from GFP Architects</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br></div><p>Gabriel &ldquo;Gabby&rdquo; Formoso was recognized for his significant contributions to Philippine architecture, receiving several distinctions throughout his career, including the <strong>1979 Outstanding Architect of the Year Award</strong> from the <strong>Professional Regulation Commissio</strong>n, the <strong>1977 Patnubay ng Kalinangan Award&nbsp;</strong>from the <strong>Commission on Arts and Culture</strong>, and the<strong>&nbsp;1974 Most Outstanding Alumnus Award</strong> from the <strong>University of Santo Tomas</strong>. He was also granted an <strong>Honorary Lifetime Individual Membership</strong> by the <strong>Architectural Center Club, Inc.</strong></p><p>According to<strong>&nbsp;GFP Architects</strong>, Formoso began his architectural practice in 1939 and became one of the first 100 licensed architects in the Philippines. His notable works include the<strong>&nbsp;Asian Institute of Management Building, Do&ntilde;a Narcisa Building, Central Bank of the Philippines Building Complex, and BA-Lepanto Building</strong>, as well as prominent hotels such as the<strong>&nbsp;Manila Garden Hotel&nbsp;</strong>(now Dusit Thani Manila), <strong>The Peninsula Manila,</strong> and the <strong>Regent of Manila.</strong></p><div><br></div><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Nonoy Froilan (Dance)</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1789022044412MV5BOGY0M2EyMWQtODBjYS00YjBjLWJmOTItNDQ5MThmNDgxOTIzXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_FMjpg_UX1000_.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Photo from NCCA</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br></div><p>Rafael &ldquo;Nonoy&rdquo; Catalino Froilan made his mark as one of the Philippines&rsquo; notable male ballet dancers. His career began with the <strong>University of East Dance Troupe</strong> in 1969, followed by his stint with<strong>&nbsp;Dance Arts Studio</strong> in Mandaluyong from 1970 to 1972. He also explored the world of fashion as a model for <strong>Karilagan International&nbsp;</strong>from 1971 to 1973.</p><p>Froilan eventually joined <strong>Ballet Philippines</strong> as a principal dancer in 1973, while also teaching modern dance from 1975 to 1980. Beyond ballet, he shared his expertise as a jazz instructor at<strong>&nbsp;Shoe Mart Dance Arts</strong> in Quezon City beginning in 1981 and later pursued photography as a member of the <strong>Center Camera Club</strong> in Manila from 1985, based on the article by<strong>&nbsp;AIDE.</strong></p><div><br></div><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Patis Tesoro (Fashion)</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1789022205533[image] - 4629308.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @ayalamuseum</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br></div><p>Patis Tesoro has long challenged the idea that <strong>Filipiniana&nbsp;</strong>should follow a single formula. Throughout her career, the designer has continuously reimagined traditional Filipino fashion, giving familiar pieces a more contemporary and expressive character.</p><p>From transforming the terno into striking, sculptural designs to incorporating heirloom fabrics into fresh silhouettes, Tesoro has also explored ways to bring embroidery beyond its traditional role in formalwear. Her work highlights how Filipino clothing can honor its roots while continuing to evolve.</p><div><br></div><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Armando &#39;Bing&#39; Lao (Film and Broadcast Arts)</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1789022324793viberimage2026-09-0923-02-45-143.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Photo from Armando Lao</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br></div><p>Filipino screenwriter and film director Armando &ldquo;Bing&rdquo; Lao made significant contributions to Philippine independent cinema, not only through his work behind the camera but also by establishing the influential <strong>Found Story Screenwriting Workshop</strong>, which helped shape aspiring filmmakers and writers.</p><p>Among his notable screenwriting credits is <strong><em>Fetch a Pail of Water (1999</em></strong>), for which he was credited with the story and screenplay. The film won <strong>Best Film</strong> at the <strong><em>Bogot&aacute; Film Festival&nbsp;</em></strong>and was recognized as an<strong>&nbsp;Independent Theatrical Feature Film</strong> at the<strong>&nbsp;WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival.</strong></p><p>Lao also wrote the story and screenplay for<strong><em>&nbsp;Butchered (2009),</em></strong> which earned a nomination for the <strong>Palme d&rsquo;Or&nbsp;</strong>at the <strong>Cannes Film Festiva</strong>l and was also nominated for <strong>Best Film&nbsp;</strong>at the <strong>Sitges-Catalonian International Film Festival.</strong></p><div><br></div><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Gregorio Brillantes (Literature)</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1789022466233lead photo.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Photo by B. J. Pati&ntilde;o from Ateneo de Manila University</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br></div><p>Gregorio &ldquo;Greg&rdquo; Concepcion Brillantes was among the prominent figures in Philippine literature, earning recognition for his English-language short stories. His 1980 work, <strong><em>The Apollo Centennial</em></strong>, is regarded as a landmark in Philippine science fiction and helped push the genre in a new direction, as written by <strong>Ethan&nbsp;</strong>and <strong>Scot Lee Chua.</strong></p><p>Throughout his literary career, Brillantes received several prestigious honors, including the<strong>&nbsp;Free Press Literary Awards</strong> and the <strong>Gawad CCP Para sa Sining</strong> from the<strong>&nbsp;Cultural Center of the Philippines.&nbsp;</strong>He was also inducted into the<strong>&nbsp;Hall of Fa</strong><strong>me&nbsp;</strong>of the<strong>&nbsp;Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature.</strong></p><div><br></div><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Nicanor Tiongson (Literature)</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178902262398204-680x1024.webp" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">&nbsp;Photo by Bong Arboleda, UP MPRO from University of the Philippines</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br></div><p>Nicanor G. Tiongson is a Filipino critic, creative writer, and academic whose work has made a lasting impact on Philippine film, theater, and cultural studies. A founding member of the <strong>Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino,&nbsp;</strong>he has also served as a professor of <strong>Film and Audiovisual Communication</strong> at th<strong>e University of the Philippines Diliman.</strong></p><p>Among his notable publications is the four-volume<strong><em>&nbsp;Philippine Theater: A History and Anthology,</em></strong> published in 1999. The collection explores different forms and periods of Philippine theater, with volumes focusing on<strong>&nbsp;rituals, dances and playlets; komedya; sarswela and dance;&nbsp;</strong>and <strong>modern plays,</strong> documenting the country&rsquo;s rich theatrical heritage.</p><div><br></div><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Fred Buenaventura (Music)</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1789022694255292881655_143994088290170_5322508149768404324_n.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Photo from Alfredo S. Buenaventura</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br></div><p>Alfredo Santos Buenaventura made his mark in Philippine music through a career that brought together performance, composition, and a deep commitment to musical education. Born in Santa Maria, Bulacan, in 1929, he pursued his musical studies at the<strong>&nbsp;University of Santo Tomas, Centro Escolar University,</strong> and the <strong>Gregorian Institute.</strong></p><p>His career also included serving as an organist at the <strong>Metropolitan Cathedral</strong> in Manila. Buenaventura&rsquo;s contributions to Philippine music were recognized with several honors, including the <strong>Republican Cultural Heritage Awards</strong> in 1964 and 1972, as well as the <strong>Bonifacio Centennial Awards.</strong></p><p>The compositions of Alfredo Buenaventura include several operas, symphonic poems, vocal works, and chamber music, based on <strong>Naxos</strong><strong>.</strong></p><div><br></div><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Teddy Hilado (Theater)</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1789022816296viberimage2026-09-0923-26-31-684.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Photo from CCP Collections</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br></div><p>Teodoro &ldquo;Teddy&rdquo; Hilado played a pivotal role in shaping the technical side of Philippine theater, particularly through his pioneering work in lighting design. Widely recognized as the <strong>&ldquo;Father of Philippine Lighting Design.&rdquo;</strong></p><p>A major chapter of Hilado&rsquo;s career was his long-standing work with the<strong>&nbsp;Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP)</strong>, where he served as a technical director. Through his expertise and dedication, he contributed to the development and professionalization of technical theater in the country, leaving an enduring influence on generations of theater practitioners.</p><div><br></div><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Imelda Cajipe Endaya (Visual Arts)</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1789022873937ICE portrait.jpeg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"><span class="fr-inner">Photo from Silverlens</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br></div><p>Imelda Cajipe-Endaya is a celebrated Filipino artist whose work spans printmaking, painting, mixed media, and installation art. Beyond her practice as a visual artist, she has also made significant contributions as a curator, writer, activist, and community leader, using art as a platform to explore social issues and Filipino identity.</p><p>Cajipe-Endaya was also among the founders of <strong>Kasibulan</strong>, a collective that brought together women artists in the Philippines. She initiated <strong>Pananaw</strong>, the <strong>Philippine Journal of Visual Arts</strong>, and served as its first editor. Through her creative and cultural work, she became an important figure in Philippine feminist art and movements for national liberation, as noted in her feature by <strong>CNN.&nbsp;</strong></p><div><br></div><div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Nunelucio Alvarado (Visual Arts)</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 700px; display: block;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1789022956179NuneAlvarado_01.jpg" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">Photo by Bem Cortez from Negros Season of Culture</span></span></span></div><div><br></div><p>Nunelucio M. Alvarado, professionally known as Nune Alvarado and also referred to as <strong>Maestro Nune,</strong> is a Filipino social realist painter and community arts organizer from Negros Occidental. His works often shine a light on the realities faced by sugar plantation workers and marginalized communities, exploring themes of poverty, labor, and social inequality through bold colors and expressive human figures.</p><p>Alvarado&rsquo;s work has also earned recognition in the Philippine art scene. His paintings <strong>Ang Lagare ni Kumpare&nbsp;</strong>and <strong>Urban Poor won the Grand Prize</strong> at the <strong>Philip Morris Philippine Art Awards</strong> in 1997 and 1999, respectively. Through his art and community-based initiatives, he has continued to use visual storytelling to reflect the social realities of Negros and its people, as revealed by <strong>Art Asia Pacific.</strong></p><div><br></div><p>Lead photos from <strong>Alfredo S. Buenaventura&nbsp;</strong>and<strong>&nbsp;Bem Cortez</strong></p>

<p>Curious about the newly proclaimed National Artists? Meet the 10 Filipinos recognized through Proclamation No. 1414 for their significant contributions to Philippine arts and culture.</p>

Curious about the newly proclaimed National Artists? Meet the 10 Filipinos recognized through Proclamation No. 1414 for their significant contributions to Philippine arts and culture.

Who Are the Philippines’ 10 Newly Proclaimed National Artists? Here’s What to Know About Them

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Who Are the Philippines’ 10 Newly Proclaimed National Artists? Here’s What to Know About Them

Lance Joseph Martinez

Published September 10, 2026 06:45 PM PHT

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Updated September 10, 2026 06:48 PM PHT

Read More:

National Artists

Philippines

Gabby Formoso

Nonoy Froilan

Patis Tesoro

Armando 'Bing' Lao

Gregorio Brillantes

Nicanor Tiongson

Fred Buenaventura

Teddy Hilado

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