TOPIC: ORDER OF THE NATIONAL ARTISTS

The Order of National Artist (ONA), or Orden ng Pambansang Alagad ng Sining, is the highest national recognition
given to Filipino individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts. This was
established under Proclamation No. 1001 dated April 27, 1972.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF NATIONAL ARTIST

1) Living artists who are Filipino citizens at the time of nomination and at the awarding, 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’s spirit and 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 works and/or consistently displayed excellence in
the practice expression or style.
5) Artists who enjoy broad acceptance through prestigious national and/or international recognition, critical acclaim
and/or reviews of their work and respect and esteem from peers.

To date, there are only 73 Filipinos recognized as National Artists. For this module, we will only study one (1) artist
per art form.

ANTONIO J. MOLINA (MUSIC) – His notable contribution to the Philippine Music is he innovated the Phillipine music in
his time by using folk instruments like the kulintangan and gabbang. He composed more than 300 works and two-thirds
of which used traditional music. Some of his works are we were moonlight, string Quartet and Awit ni Maria Clara

FRANCISCA REYES-AQUINO (DANCE) – She vigorously researched on the different folk dances of the Philippines
which made her the “Folk Dance Pioneer” and the “Mother of Philippine Folk Dance of the country. Her research entitled
“Philippine Dances and Games” contains the country’s unrecorded celebrations, folk dances, rituals and games. One of
her published books regarding Philippine dances is the Fundamental Dance Steps and Music

FERNANDO AMORSOLO (VISUAL ARTS; PAINTING) – He is known as the “Grand Old Man of the Philippine Art” was
the first National Artist in the country. Lighting is the most prominent element of Amorsolo’s painting. His trademark was
the backlighting technique which makes the subjects of his painting seem to glow. His works of art were also notable for
reflecting the lives of the farmers, fishermen and beautiful landscape scenes of his community. Some of his significant
works are Planting rice, Dalagang Bukid, The Mestiza and Maiden.

NAPOLEON ABUEVA (VISUAL ARTS; SCULPTURE) – He is the Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture, who made use
of wide range of materials in his works like different types of hardwood, stones and metals. He was also the sculptor who
started the trend in mixing different materials, like metal and stone in making sculpture. Some of his notable works are
Nine Muses, Kaganapan and The Transfiguration.

ISHMAEL BERNAL (FILM) – He was the so called “Genius of the Philippine Cinema” Apart from the aesthetics of his
production the powerful message contained his films created a great impact to the Philippine cinema. His works were
reflections of the existing realities of the Philippine society and the struggle of the Filipino people. Among his works are
Himala, Nunal sa Tubig and Pahiram ng Isang Umaga.

RAMON VALERA (FASHION DESIGN) - He was the fashion designer who innovated the Philippine “terno” He was the
one who transformed the component of the traditional baro’t saya into a single clothing. The most prominent part of his
ankle-long creation was its bell-shaped or butterfly sleeves. Also included in the innovations he employed in his ternos are
the use of zipper instead of hooks and exclusion of panuelo. Panuelo is the long scarf being wrap around the shoulders as
symbol of Filipina modesty.

WILFRIDO MA. GUERRERO (THEATER) - Guerrero, being a theater teacher and artist has mentored and trained
many performing artists for 35 years. He also introduced and popularized Philippines Theater to different parts of the
country by establishing the UP Mobile Theater, which delivered thousands of performances to many campuses in the
Philippines.

PABLO S. ANTONIO (ARCHITECTURE) – Antonio was known for his simple architectural designs consisting of clean
lines and functional curves. He did not only focus on the aesthetics of his designs but the strength of the architecture. His
main considerations in his structures were austerity and function. Included in his significant works are Far Eastern
University’s Administrations and Science Buildings, Lyrical Theater and Galaxy Theater.

Leroy S. Brown St., Eastside, Isabela City, Basilan

303894@deped.gov.ph
AMADO V. HERNANDEZ (LITERATURE) – Known for his contribution in the development of the Tagalog Prose
through the use of Colloquial style. Some of his works are Isang Dipang Langit, Luha ng Buwaya, Mga Ibong Mandaragit
TOPIC: THE NATIONAL LIVING TREASURES OF THE PHILIPPINES

The National Living Treasures Award, alternatively known as the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) is
conferred to a person or group of artists recognized by the Government of the Philippines for their contributions to
the country's tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The National Living Treasures Award was institutionalized in
1992 through Republic Act No. 7355. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), which is the
highest policy-making and coordinating body of the Philippines for culture and the arts, was tasked with the
implementation.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF NATIONAL LIVING TREASURES

1) He/she is an inhabitant of an indigenous cultural community anywhere in the Philippines that has preserved
indigenous customs, beliefs, rituals and traditions and/or has syncretized whatever external elements that have
influenced it.
2) He/she must have engaged in a folk-art tradition that has been in existence and documented for at least fifty
(50) years.
3) He/she must have consistently performed or produced over a significant period, works of superior and distinctive
quality.
4) He/she must possess a mastery of tools and materials needed by the art, and must have an established
reputation in the art as master and maker of works of extraordinary technical quality.
5) He/she must have passed on and/or will pass on to other members of the community their skills in the folk art
for which the community is traditionally known.

YEAR FAMOUS ARTWORK/

GAMABA AWARDEE ORIGIN
AWARDED CONTRIBUTIONS
Mansalay, Oriental Preserved Ambahan poetry with his fellow
1. Ginaw Bilog 1993
Mindoro Mangyans.
Brooke's Point, Master of the Basal, Kulillal ( musical
2. Masino Intaray 1993
Palawan Ensemble) and Bagit
Mamasapano, Perfected the art of playing Kutyapi/ Kudyapi
3. Samaon Sulaiman 1993
Maguindanao (two-stringed plucked lute)
Lake Sebu, South T’boli Master Weaver of the traditional
4. Lang Dulay 1998
Cotabato T’nalak
Tagabanwa-Bagobo traditional weaver of
5. Salinta Monon 1998 Davao del Sur
distinct abaca fabrics called inabal
Gained perfection in playing Kalinga
6. Alonzo Saclag 2000 Lubuagan, Kalinga
musical instruments
Sulod- Bukidnon, A Sulod- Bukidnon epic chanter who mastered
7. Frederico Caballero 2000
Iloilo ten epics of their region
Partially blind musical genius who has mastered
8. Uwang Ahadas 2000 Lamitan, Basilan
Yakan musical instruments (Kulintangan)
Tausug Master weaver of Pis syabit-the
9. Darhata Sawabi 2004 Parang, Sulu traditional cloth tapestry worn as a head
covering by the Tausug of Jolo
Dedicated sculptor of religious and secular art
10. Eduardo Mutuc 2004 Apalit, Pampanga
in silver, bronze, and wood
Tandubas, Master Mat Weaver among the Sama
11. Haja Amina Appi 2004
Tawi-Tawi Indigenous Community
A master artisan of Tabungaw made of
12. Teofilo Garcia 2012 San Quintin, Abra
gourd casques
Master weaver who makes “inabel” an
13. Magdalena Gamayo 2012 Pinili, Ilocos Norte
Ilokano handwoven cloth
Master weaver of the Traditional Yakan
14. Ambalang Ausalin 2016 Lamitan, Basilan
Textile (Tennun)
Malapatan,
15. Estelita Bantilan 2016 A well-known B’laan mat weaver
Sarangani

Leroy S. Brown St., Eastside, Isabela City, Basilan

303894@deped.gov.ph
 Polomolok, South
16. Yabing Dalo 2016 Ikat textile master weaver and dyer
Cotabato

Leroy S. Brown St., Eastside, Isabela City, Basilan

303894@deped.gov.ph