THEATER

• According to theater and culture scholar Doreen Fernandez, the Philippine dramatic tradition has its roots in the rituals and ceremonies of precolonial Filipinos
• Colonization Brought many forms of drama and theatre: from the religious themed cenaculo and moro-moro, to the zarzuela, a traditional Spanish one-act comic opera and the American entertainment
• Daisy Avellana

  • National Artist for theater in 1999
  • The First Lady of the Philippine Theater
• Honorata "Atang" de la Rama

  • National Artist for theater in 1987
  • popularized the song "Mutya ng Pasig" by Deogracias Rosario and Nicanor Abelardo
  • President Cory Aquino was the one who declared her as a National Artist
  • Queen of Kundiman
• Rolando S. Tinio

  • National Artist for theater in 1997
  • known for translating western classics into Tagalog, including the works of Shakespeare
• Salvador F. Bernal

  • National Artist for theater in 2003
  • known for using raw materials in theater production
• Lamberto V. Avellana

  • National Artist for theater and film in 1976
  • "The Boy Wonder of Philippine Movies" in 1939
• Stage directors bring insights to a script creating visual and intellectual impact on stage
• Severino Montano

  • National Artist for theater in 2001
  • one of the "Titans of the Philippine Theater"
  • with 1,000 pesos, he used his own money to start the Arena theater in Philippine Normal University