SOCIAL SCIENCE 1
CRAFTING TRADITIONS: MGA MANLILIKHA NG
BAYAN
GAMABA (Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan)
● 1989
- formally launched with the screening artists of
Filipino crafts in the municipal, provincial, and
regional levels.
● 1990
- Senate Bill No. 240 authored by Senators
Edgardo Angara, Leticia Shahani and Sotero
Laurel, proposed the bearers of traditional art
with a Presidential award, recognizing them as
National Living Treasures.
● April 3,1992
- institutionalized through Republic Act No.
7355. Section 1 or “Manlilikha ng Bayan Act”.
- The National Commission for Culture and the
Arts (NCCA), through the Gawad sa Manlilikha
ng Bayan Executive Council, conducts the
search for traditional artists, adopt a program
assuring the transfer of skills to the youth, and
undertake measures to promote a genuine
appreciation of and instill pride among our
people in the genius of the Gawad sa Manlilikha
ng Bayan and our traditional cultures.
● GAMABA LOGO
- a stylized representation of the human form used
in traditional cloth.
- motif is ‘Manlilikha ng Bayan’ written in
ancient Filipino script extensively used
throughout the Philippines at the time of western
contact in the sixteenth century.
WHAT IS GAMABA OR NATIONAL LIVING
TREASURES?
- awarded to a person or a group of people who
have proved excellence in their craft or art. May
also be those sharing their talents and skill with
the people in their community to preserve the art
form in generations to come
TO WHOM IS GAMABA GIVEN?
- Indigenous peoples who have retreated to the
highlands or coastal hinterlands have been the
most faithful stewards of the earth’s natural
resources. Their spiritual view of the world, their
values of collective responsibility and respect
for elders, ancestors, spirits and the community,
guide their individual behavior in daily life.
- Indigenous people who have kept their unique
primeval institutions which are threatened by
large scale mining, dam building, logging,
exploration, industrialization and cash crop
projects that displaced members of traditional
communities risk of becoming dysfunctional
social elements.
HOW TO BECOME A MANLILIKHA NG BAYAN?
● CATEGORIES
- may cover traditional and folk arts in the areas
of performing arts and craft. Consideration shall
be made for adequate representation in
geographic distribution and different artistic
categories.
● AD HOC PANEL OF EXPERTS
- To ensure a fair selection of potential awardees,
the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan Executive
Council shall be assisted by an Ad Hoc Panel
of Expert, experts in the traditional and folk arts
categories.
- names of those selected to become members of
the Ad Hoc Panel of Expert shall be submitted to
the NCCA Board of Commissioners for proper
designation.
- term of the members shall expire upon
completion of the search and selection process.
TO BECOME A MANLILIKHA NG BAYAN, A
CANDIDATE MUST:
Possess a mastery of tools and materials needed
for the traditional, folk art and be a maker of
works of extraordinary technical quality;
Have consistently produced works of superior
quality over significant period;
Have engaged in a traditional and folk art which
has been in existence and documented for at
least fifty (50) years;
Command respect and inspire admiration of the
country with character and integrity;
Must have transferred and/or willing to transfer
to other members of the community the skills in
the traditional and folk arts for which the
community has become nationally known.
However, a candidate who, due to age or
infirmity, has left him/her/them incapable of
teaching further his/her craft, may still be
recognized provided that s/he must possess the
qualifications as enumerated above.
ROOSTER OF AWARDEES BENEFITS
➔ enjoys the same privileges as a National Artist
awardee:
➔ a gold-plated medal from the Bangko Sentral
ng Pilipinas,
➔ a cash award of P200,000, a lifetime stipend of
P50,000
➔ medical and hospitalization benefits of P750,000
a year;
➔ a state funeral, and room in Libingan ng Mga
Bayani (should they choose), and a place of
honor in state functions.

Awardees
❖ LANG DULAY (1928-2015)
- T’boli weaver of T’nalak, from Lake Sebu,
South Cotabato. Aware of her origin myth built
around creation from the upsurge of water and
earthly life emerging from floods.
- must first dream of a design before she could
weave once. A single piece can take up to three
months to finish.
● T’nalak
○ unique traditional cloth, hand-woven by
T’boli women in finest ikat (tie-dye)
method from abaca fibers with three
primary colors- natural color of abaca,
red, and black.
● 1998,
○ received GAMABA recognition
○ her creations were exhibited at the
Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC
as part of the Philippine Centennial
celebration.
- trained 46 weavers in her passing and mantle
her granddaughters, Noemi Dulay, as apparent
successor to her weaving prowess.

❖ HAJA AMINA APPI (1925-2013)

- Sama mat weaver from Taw-Tawi.
- executed traditional Sulu designs of Ukkil or
Naga.
● Sama
○ believed to have originated from the
Austronesian root sama meaning
“together”. It is also a term suggesting
the binding together of leaves and
grasses that go into a banig (mat).
○ locally called Tepo, mats are made of
pandan leaves and the whole process of
making is engaged only by women.
○ traditionally, mats made by weavers in
Unggus Matata, in Tandubas Island
where Haja Aminana hails from and
kept within family or clan.

❖ ALONZO SACLAG (B. 1942)
- from Lubuagan, Kalinga, in the Cordillera
Region.
- master of dance, music and the performing
arts with cultural practices of a people, known
since colonial times for fiercely guarding their
community and cultural heritage.
- advocates the documentation of Kalinga beliefs
and customs to uphold and defend indigenous
people’s rights threatened by the negative forces
of globalization.
● Budong
○ a traditional peace pact meant to resolve
tribal wars since colonial times to
Martial Law.
● Gong or Gangsa
○ most important artifact which is a
disappearing craft, thus Saclag’s efforts
at propagating its use.
❖ FEDERICO CABALLERO
- Sulod-Bukidnon epic chanter from Calinog,
Iloilo.
- devoted his life to painstaking research,
documentation, and performance of ten epics of
the Panay-Bukidnon people. These epics in an
Archaic, dying language akin to Kiniray-a.
- mastered 10 epics from Humadapnon, longest
epic, continues the practice of chanting, so that
the tradition would live on.
- documents more epics together with researchers
such as Tikung Kadlum, an epic which tells of
how justice is meted out to those who cut down
trees.
- also a Manughusay or an arbiter of disputes,
and recognized as Bantugan, a person of
outstanding integrity regarded with distinction
by his people.
● 2001
○ with the assistance from the NCCA
founded Balay Turun-an, a school of
living tradition, where 20-50 school
children, aged 8-16, learn the rudiments
of traditional Panay- Bukidnon culture.
❖ GINAW BILOG
- a Hanuno Mangyan Poet from Panaytayan,
Mansalya, Oriental Mindoro.
- master of Ambahan, a poetic literary form
composed of seven-syllable lines conveying
picturesque, metaphoric messages.
- Hanuno Mangyan etched verses on bamboo
tubes using the ancient script of Surat Mangyan.
- most treasured Ambahans were those he
inherited from his father and grandfather.
- establish a School of Living Tradition in his
home village.
❖ MASINO INTARAY (1943-2013)
- a Pala’wan musician, storyteller and epic
chanter, and master of rites from Makagwa
Valley in Palawan.
- skilled in playing musical instruments- basal
(gong), aroding (mouth harp), and babarak
(ring, flute)
- highly respected for being knowledgeable of
many tultul (epics), sudsungit (narratives) and
tuturan (myths of origin and heritage teachings)
- in the ritual of Tambilaw, Intaray leads the basal
ensemble, playing the sacred music that
spiritually connects the Pala’awan community
with the Great Lod, Ampo and the Master of
Rice, Ampo’t Paray
● Tarak
○ the dance and sound element of the
basal where women moving back and
forth on the bamboo-slated floor
rhythmically stomp their feet as they
hold taro leaves and their sides.
● Kulilal
○ a sentimental poetry expressing love.
● Bagit
○ the imitation of rhythms, movements
and sounds of nature, strictly through
the playing of Kudyapi, such as the
sensory motion of leaves, the flight of
birds, the twitter of insects, and the
sounds of monkeys and snakes.
❖ SALINTA MONON (1920-2009)
- a Tagabawa Bagobo weaver of textiles from
Bansalan, Davao del Sur.
- exposed to the craft by her mother, at 12, she
performed the task herself.
- dedicated her life into weaving, even as she
raised a family of six children with her husband
a farmer.
- Salinta had built a solid reputation for her
outstanding designs and quality of weaving.
- one of the many designs she wove is the
Binuwaya (crocodile) which is also difficult to
make.
● 1998
○ the NCCA presented GAMABA to
Salinta, “the last Bagobo weaver” and
since then Bagobo-Tagabawa weaving
has continued to live on.
❖ DARHATA SAWABI
- a Tausug weaver of Pis Syabit (traditional
handwoven head cover)
- In the island of Jolo, women perform the craft of
pis syabit, which has been passed on for
generations from mothers to their daughters. It
took 3 months to weave one design and in recent
years it cost P2000 each.
- Pis syabit weaving is a difficult art.
- Sawabi faced challenges as the war tore apart
Jolo in the 1970s. After returning to Parang, she
rebuilt her loom and resumed weaving at home,
also taught other women in the community and
the weavers she trained have also become
teachers of the craft.
❖ UWANG AHADAS
- a Yakan musician from Lamitan, Basilan where
playing of musical instruments is a tradition,
closely connected to the spiritual realm.
- to the Yakan, spirits control the forces of nature,
human life, and the agricultural cycle, and music
is a means for meditation and supplication.
- Uwang gathers bamboo and constructs the
simplest gabbang (five-slat xylophone).
- made a Kwintangan Kayu (hanging percussion
instruments) using five horizontal tree limbs
hung from longest to shortest.
❖ SAMAON SULAIMAN (1953-2011)
- a Magindanaon musician from Mamasapano,
Maguindanao, meaning “people of the flood
plains” are one of the major Filipino Islamic
groups who populate the lands near Pulangi
river.
- achieved the highest level of excellence in the
art of Kudyapi playing. His extensive repertoire
of dinaladay, linapu, minuna, binalig. Apart
from being a master at Kudyapi, he is also
proficient in kulintang, agong, gandingan,
palendag and tambul.
- merited the highest honor for his exemplary
artistry and dedication to his chosen instrument,
and the music of kudyapi at a time when this
instrument no longer exists in many parts of
Mindanao.
❖ MAGDALENA GAMAYO (B. 1924)
- a textile weaver from Pinili, Ilocus Norte
- recognized as a master in weaving the Abel,
the Ilocano textile hand-woven from local cotton
and other fibers.
- learned all by herself the traditional patterns of
Binakul, Inuritan, Kuikos and Sinan-sabong by
observation and practice.
- watched her aunt weave as a little girl and she
began to wave by herself at 16. In her 90s
Magdalena has taught a handful of younger
women her craft.
- she is fortunate at her age to have good eyesight
as this is the most challenging and crucial task in
weaving
❖ TEOFILO GARCIA (B. 1941)
- an Ilocano maker of Tabungaw (casque or
Gourd hat) from San Quintin, Abra.
- inheriting the craft from his grandfather. Teofilo
started making the gourd hat at 15 and finished it
in 7 days.
- With GAMABA recognition of writing a
curriculum in Tabungaw making which he
now teaches to selected students in his
hometown’s public school.
- His work is now widely exhibited in art trade
fairs and his tabungaws are much sought after as
special gifts.
❖ EDUARDO MUTUC
- From Apalit, Pampanga is a metal smith of
religious and secular art.
- He only managed to finish elementary, but at 29
he was motivated to support his growing family
- worked as a woodcarver of household furniture
and discovered a talent in carving.
- After 6 years as a woodcarver, he developed his
skill in Pinukpok (beaten metal).
- Knowing that artistry begins with understanding
the nature of one’s materials and using the right
tools, Eduardo has embarked on teaching the
foundations of the craft to his students, saying
that, “Fulfillment and satisfaction at the
beauty of one’s work is the best reward.”
● TRADITIONAL PERFORMING ARTS
1. Masino Mataray (1993) - Brookes Point,
Palawan
2. Samaon Sulaman (1993) - Mamasapano,
Maguindanao
3. Alonzo Saclag (2000) - Lubuagan, Kalinga
4. Uwang Ahadas (2000) - Lamitan, Basilan
● WEAVING
1. Lang Dulay (1998) - Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
2. Salinta Monon (1998) - Bansalan, Davao del Sur
3. Darhata Sawabi (2004) - Parang, Sulu
4. Eduardo Mutuc (2004) - Apalit, Pampanga
5. Haja Amina Appi (2004) - Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi
6. Magdalena Gamayo (2012) - Pinili, Ilocos Norte
7. Teofilo Garcia (2012) - San Quintin, Abra
8. Ambalang Ausalin (2016) - Lamitan, Basilan
9. Estelita Bantilan (2016) - Malapatan, Sarangani
 10. Yabing Masalon Dulo (2016) - Polomolok,
South Cotabato
● FOLK AND ORAL LITERATURE
1. Ginaw Bilog (1993) - Mansalay, Oriental
Mindoro
2. Federico Caballero (2000) - Calinog, Iloilo
NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR THE TANGIBLE ARTS
NATIONAL ARTIST AWARD
- highest distinction bestowed upon Filipino
Artists whose body of work is recognized by
their peers and more importantly by their
countrymen
TANGIBLE ARTS
- Architecture, Literature, Visual Arts, Fashion
Design
- includes buildings and historic places,
monuments, artifacts, etc., which are considered
worthy of preservation for the future.
- has a physical presence
BACKGROUND
● ORDER OF NATIONAL ARTIST (Orden ng
Pambansa ng Alagad ng Sining)
- established under Proclamation No. 1001 dated
April 27, 1972 to give appropriate recognition
and prestige to Filipinos who have distinguished
themselves and made outstanding contributions
to Philippine arts and letters.
- 73 Filipinos recognized as National Artists. The
last recognition was in 2018, in which seven
artists were given the distinction. The last one
before that was in 2014.
- recognition was called National Artists Award,
until it was elevated in 2003 by then-President
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the rank of Order.
The Order is conferred to individuals by the
National Commission for the Culture and the
Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the
Philippines (CCP) at a ceremony in Malacañang
Palace
ORDER OF NATIONAL ARTIST (PROCESS)
➔ begins with the announcement of the
opening of nominations. A series of
screenings and deliberations by peers,
colleagues, and artistic-c.
➔ The list of selected national artists then
cultural administration of both the CCP and
NCCA follows which issues the
proclamation submitted to the Office of the
President, on conferring the rank and title of
National Artists.
➔ The final stage is the conferment ceremony,
as prepared by the Secretariat and ultimately
led by the President of the Republic.
BENEFITS
➔ rank and title of National Artist, as
proclaimed by the President of the
Philippines;
➔ the National Artist gold-plated medallion
minted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
(BSP) and citation
➔ lifetime emolument and material and
physical benefits.
➔ minimum cash award of Two Hundred
Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00), net of taxes
for living awardees
➔ minimum cash award of One Hundred Fifty
Thousand Pesos (P150,000.00), net of taxes
for posthumous awardees, payable to legal
heir/s
➔ minimum lifetime personal monthly stipend
of Thirty Thousand Pesos (P30,000.00)
➔ life insurance coverage for insurable
awardees;
➔ state funeral benefit not exceeding
P500,000.00.
➔ a place of honor in state functions and
recognition at cultural events.
GUIDELINES ON SELECTION
living artist who are Filipino citizens or
artists who died as Filipino citizens after the
establishment of the award may be eligible
for nomination;
artist whose works have contributed towards
developing a Filipino sense of nationhood;
artists who have pioneered in evolving
modes of relative expression or individual
styles which have gained distinction here
and abroad, and which could make an
impact on future generations of artists;
artists who have created a significant body
of works which have consistently
manifested excellence towards enriching
their particular expressions
artists who enjoy broad and extensive
recognition from their peers nationally and
internationally, and who have garnered
critical acclaim for their works.
● Fernando Amorsolo
- the first Philippine National Artist in 1972
● Proclamation No. 1144
- dated May 15, 1973 named the CCP Board of
Trustees as the National Artist Awards
 Committee and Presidential Decree No. 208
issued on June 7, 1973 reiterated the mandate of
CCP to administer the National Artist Awards
and privileges and honors to National Artists
National Artists for Tangible Arts
1. PABLO S. ANTONIO
2. LEANDRO V. LOCSIN
3. JUAN F. NAKPIL
4. ILDEFONSO P. SANTOS JR.
5. JOSE MARIA V. ZARAGOZA
❖ PABLO S. ANTONIO
- architect
- National Artist of the Philippines (1976)
- BUILDINGS: Ideal Theater, Life Theater,
Manila Polo Club
- PROJECTS: Far Eastern University Campus
❖ LEANDRO V. LOCSIN
- grandson of the first governor of the province.
- celebrated architect of the Philippines, designed
numerous modern buildings with climatic
features of Southeast Asia and the traditional
style of the Philippines.
- accomplishment contributed remarkable to the
development of architectural culture in Asia
ARCHITECTURAL WORKS:
● Chapel of the Holy Sacrifice
● University of the Philippines, Quezon City,
1955
● Cultural Center of the Philippines
● Complex, Manila Theater for the Performing
Arts, 1969
● Folk Arts Theater, 1974
● Philippine Center for International Trade
and Exhibition, 1976
● Philippine International Convention Center,
1976
● Philippine Plaza Hotel 1976
● Philippine Pavilion Expo '70, Osaka, Japan,
1970
● Makati Stock Exchange Building, Manila,
1971
● Istana Nurul Iman (Palace of the Sultan of
Brunei),
● Bandar Seri Bagawan, Brunei, 1984
● Supreme Court of the Philippines, Manila
1991
❖ JUAN F. NAKPIL
- son of Julio Nakpil and Gregoria de Jesús.
- studied Engineering at the University of the
Philippines.
- In 1922, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree
in Civil Engineering from the University of
Kansas.
- studied Architecture at the Fontainebleau School
of Fine Arts in France.
- named one of the National Artists for
architecture in 1973.
- regarded as the Dean of Filipino Architects.
- known for his works, including Geronimo de los
Reyes Building, Magsaysay Building, Rizal
Theater, Capitol Theater, Captain Pepe Building,
Manila Jockey Club, Rufino Building,
Philippine Village Hotel, University of the
Philippines Administration and University
Library and the reconstructed Rizal house in
Calamba.
❖ ILDEFONSO P. SANTOS JR.
- known as “IP Santos”
- Father of Philippine Landscape Architecture
- National Artist of the Philippines (2006)
MAJOR ARCHITECTURAL WORKS
● Cultural Center of the Philippines
Complex
● Manila Hotel
● San Miguel Corporation Building
● Nayong Pilipino
● Paco Park
● Rizal Park
● Loyola Memorial Park
● Tagaytay Highlands Golf and Country
Club
● The Orchard Golf and Country Club
● Magallanes Church
● Asian Institute of Management
NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR THE INTANGIBLE ARTS
INTANGIBLE ARTS/HERITAGE
- traditions or living expressions inherited from
our ancestors and passed on to our descendants,
such as oral traditions, performing arts, social
practices, rituals, festive events.
- knowledge and practices concerning nature and
the universe or the knowledge and skills to
produce traditional crafts, food and medicine
heritage and digital heritage.
- consists of Cinema, Dance, Music, and
Theatre.
- engage the audience in a multi-sensory
experience
National Artists for Cinema
1. LINO BROCKA
2. ISHMAEL BERNAL
3. MANUEL CONDE
4. GERARDO “GERRY DE LEON
5. RONALD ALLAN K. POE
6. EDDIE S. ROMERO
❖ LINO BROCKA
- Faced with the import of foreign films and
censorship during the 1970s, Brocka’s film
concentrated on the marginalized sectors of
society- slum dwellers, prostitutes, and
construction workers.
- His debut film, WANTED: PERFECT
MOTHER, premiered in 1970 and starred Boots
Anson-Roa
- Throughout his career, he produced 66 films,
garnered national and international award such
as Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag (1975) Insiang
- (1976)
- His movies that garnered critical attention:
Stardoom (1971), Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang
(1974), Jaguar (1979), Kapit sa Patalim (1985),
Macho Dancer (1988) and Orapronobis (1989)
- Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang starred
Christopher De Leon and won Best Picture from
FAMAS.
- Brocka’s socio-political awareness and activism
left a lasting impression on Philippine society
and Filmography.
❖ ISHMAEL BERNAL
- recognized as Director of Films that serve as
social commentaries and bold reflections on the
existing realities of the struggle of the Filipino.
- managed to send his message across: to fight the
censors, free the artists, give justice to the
oppressed and enlighten as well as entertain the
audience.
- Pagdating Sa Dulo (1971), his first innovative
and directorial and screenwriting job. Nunal Sa
Tubig (1976), experimental films in which he
explored new styles and themes, Manila By
Night (1980), portrays the fragmented spaces of
the city but also reveals the construction of the
concept city under the Marcos regime.
- hailed by critics as “the genius of Philippine
Cinema” HIMALA (1982) is a critique of social
structures that drive belief within a rural
community.
❖ MANUEL CONDE
- born in Daet, Camarines Norte in 1915. He was
cited as one of the most important filmmakers in
the First Golden Age of Philippine Cinema
- He was famous for the film adaptations of
famous Philippine Metrical romances, Prinsipe
Tenoso (1941), Siete Infantes de Lara (1950) and
Ibong Adarna (1955).
- was famous for his creativity and innovation
which paved way for the international
recognition of Philippine cinema.
- He was 25 when he started directing films for
LVN Pictures and was entrusted IBONG
ADARNA (1941)
- He set up his own production Manuel Conde
(MC) which produced films like GENGIS
KHAN (1950) and SIGFREDO (1951), although
his budget was limited, the film employed
Carlos “botong” Francisco with its production
design.
- His famous creation series is the JUAN
TAMAD, starring himself and Tessie Quintana.
- Conde espoused Philippine values and traditions
in comedic innovation.
❖ GERARDO “GERRY” DE LEON
- the first filmmaker to be recognized as a
Philippine National Artist. His father,
Hermogenes IIagan, was a stage director and
writer, his mother Casiana de Leon, was a singer.
- In 1937, De Leon played a part in MGA
PUSONG DAKILA.
- In 1938, he directed his first film, the musical
Bahay Kubo.
- Anong Ganda Mo, was his film that was
interrupted by WW2 but eventually released in
1942.
- During Japanese occupation, he directed stage
plays and after the war, he directed three films
for Sampaguita Pictures. – SO LONG
AMERICA (1946), ISUMPA MO, GILIW
(1947), and MAMENG, INIIBIG KITA (1947)
- In his films, he departed from the conventions of
the Tagalog movie and made use of
expressionist images. Produced many films:
Daigdig ng mga Api, Noli Me Tangere, El
Filibusterismo, Sisa, Sawa sa Lumang Simbolo,
and Dyesebel.
❖ RONALD ALLAN K. POE
- began his career as stuntman for Everlasting
Pictures and a double for Lilia Dizon in
SIMARON (UNTAMED, 1995).
- obtained his first acting role in Anak ni Palaris
(1995) where Director Marrio Barri gave him his
screen name, “Fernando Poe, Jr.” because of
his father’s name as an actor.
- invested in his own companies FPJ Productions
and D’Lanor Productions, and began to produce
and direct his own films under nom de camera
Ronwaldo Reyes. In many of his films, Poe
played the people’s hero.
 - In 2004, he ran as the main opposition candidate 2. LAMBERTO AVELLANA
against Pres. Gloria Arroyo during the 3. SALVADOR F. BERNAL
presidential election but lost the election. Few 4. HONORATA “ATANG” DELA RAMA
months later, he suffered a stroke and passed 5. WILFRIDO MA. GUERRERO
away. 6. SEVERINO MONTANO
- In 2006, former Pres. Arroyo conferred a 7. ROLANDO S. TINIO
Posthumous National Artist Award but Poe’s
widow, Susan Roces, refused to attend the
ceremony as allegedly cheated of a victory in the
election. The award was only formally accepted
when Pres. Aquino III conferred once more in
2012.
- Fernando Poe, Jr. Da King, Ronwaldo Reyes,
D’Lanot- the many names of this man.
- His films remains classics and are constantly
being reinvented as both movies and television
shows

❖ EDDIE S. ROMERO
- film “Ganito Kami Noon...Paano Kayo
Ngayon? (1976), set at the turn of the 20th
century during the revolution against the
Spaniards and American colonizers.
- Agila (1980) situated a family’s story against the
backdrop of Filipino history
- Kamakalawa (1981) explored pre-colonial
folklore with takes on romance and adventure.
- His 13-part television series Noli Me Tangere
(1992) introduced Jose Rizal’s novel to a
broader audience.
- Along with Filipino language films, he made
English-language films that became cult
classics, like Beast of Yellow Light (1971), The
Twilight People (1972 and Black Mama, White
Mama (1972) and worked with American actors.

National Artists for Dance

1. FRANCISCA REYES AQUINO
2. LEONOR OROSA GOQUINGCO

National Artists for Music

1. ANTONIO BUENAVENTURA
2. ERNANI J. CUENCO
3. LEVI CELERIO
4. FELIPE DE LEON
5. FRANCISCO FELICIANO
6. JOVITA FUENTES
7. LUCRESIA R. KASILAG
8. JOSE MACEDA
9. ANTONIO MOLINA
10. LUCIO D. SAN PEDRO
11. RAMON P. SANTOS
12. ANDREA VENERACION

National Artists for Theater

1. DAISY HONTIVEROS-AVELLANA