NATIONAL LIVING ARTIST

• National Artist of the Philippines

  Highest recognition given by the government to individuals in the arts, established by Presidential Proclamation No. 1001, s. 1972
• It is supposed to be given every three years according to the rules of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), but there are exceptions
• FERNANDO CUETO AMORSOLO


  Philippines' first National Artist, posthumously recognized on April 28, 1972, four days after his death
• CARLOS "BOTONG" V. FRANCISCO


  Awarded the title of National Artist in 1973, four years after his death, known for historically themed murals such as the Filipino Struggles through History which is displayed in the Manila City Hall
• VICTORIO C. EDADES


  Considered to be the "Father of Modern Philippine Painting", ushered in the art movement with his painting The Builders (1928)
• GUILLERMO E. TOLENTINO


  Premier sculptor and esteemed professor at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, specialized in commemorative sculptures of historical figures that are monumental and grand
• NAPOLEON V. ABUEVA


  Youngest recipient of the title National Artist, given the distinction of being the "Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture" for his nonrepresentational sculptural works
• NICK M. JOAQUIN


  Uses the English language in his works, but his heart is undeniably Filipino, started his career as proofreader and journalist using the pen name Quijano de Manila, eventually ventured to poetry, stories, novels, and plays
• VIRGILIO S. ALMARIO


  Contemporary Filipino literary artist known for reviving Filipino traditional poetic forms while also practicing modernist styles, pen name is Rio Alma and has published twelve volumes of poetry and ten books of criticism and anthology
• DR. BIENVENIDO LUMBERA


  Renowned poet, writer, librettist, critic, and dramatist in Philippine literature and cultural studies, credited with introducing Bagay poetry, a significant shift in the vernacular poetic tradition, known for his ability to blend fine arts with popular imagination in his work as a librettist
• JUAN F. NAKPIL


  Man of many talents, known as an artist, engineer, civic leader, and teacher, gained recognition for his innovative contributions to Philippine architecture, blending beauty with functionality
• PABLO S. ANTONIO


  Regarded as the leading Filipino modern architect, his design philosophy emphasizes simplicity and functionality, considering the Philippine climate by maximizing natural light and ventilation
• LEANDRO V. LOCSIN


  Synonymous with Philippine architecture, known for his unique style of blending opposites like east and west, and light and heavy, notably using concrete that appears to float
• LUCIO D. SAN PEDRO


  Body of work consists of a great variety of musical forms, including band music, concertos for violin and orchestra, choral works, cantalas, chamber music, music for violin, and piano and songs for solo voice
• RAMON VALERA


  First recipient of the national Artist Award for fashion design, which was given in 2006, though he did not have any formal training in fashion design, his works are emulated by fashion design students for their intricate sewing embroidery and handiwork, considered himself an artist and is known to discard a finished garment if it did not live up to his high expectations
• ALICE REYES


  Founder of Ballet Philippines, dancer, choreographer, teacher and director, her name has become synonymous to Philippine dance as she is credited with its development and promotion
• FRANCISCO REYES-AQUINO


  Known as a dancer and researcher of Philippine folk dance, her research titled Philippine Folk Dances and Games, documented local forms of celebrations and rituals which was published in 1926, has been utilized for instruction for schools both public and private, made the Filipino youth more knowledgeable of their cultural heritage
• RONALD ALLAN K. POE


  Actor more popularly known as Fernando Poe Jr. or FPJ for short, dubbed as the "King of Philippine Movies," having starred, produced, and directed more than 200 films