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MANILA — Ten Filipinos have been named National Artists, receiving the country’s highest recognition for individuals who have made significant contributions to Philippine arts and culture.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. conferred the honors through Proclamation No. 1414, which he signed on Sept. 1, according to Malacañang. The new National Artists represent eight fields: literature, visual arts, architecture, dance, design, film and broadcast arts, theater, and music.
The new National Artists are:
Nicanor Tiongson — Literature A scholar, writer and critic known for his extensive work on Philippine theater, film and popular culture. Tiongson also served as an editor of the multi-volume CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art .
Gregorio Brillantes — Literature The acclaimed fiction writer is recognized for his contributions to Philippine literature, particularly through short stories examining Filipino life, faith and society. His recognition was conferred posthumously.
Imelda Cajipe Endaya — Visual Arts A visual artist whose works span painting, printmaking, installation and mixed media, often addressing women's experiences and social issues. She is also the first woman proclaimed National Artist in the Visual Arts category .
Nunelucio “Nune” Alvarado — Visual Arts The Negrense social realist artist is known for works portraying sugar workers, rural communities and social conditions in Negros.
Gabriel “Gabby” Formoso — Architecture Formoso helped shape Philippine modern architecture, with works including major commercial, institutional and hospitality developments. His award was given posthumously.
Rafael “Nonoy” Froilan — Dance A longtime dancer and choreographer associated with Ballet Philippines, Froilan performed leading roles in major Filipino ballet productions and became one of the prominent figures in Philippine dance.
Maria Beatriz “Patis” Tesoro — Design Known for promoting Filipino fashion and traditional textiles, Tesoro has championed the terno, barong Tagalog, piña fabric and other indigenous materials and techniques in her designs.
Armando “Bing” Lao — Film and Broadcast Arts The late screenwriter, filmmaker and mentor was known for scripts including Serbis , Kinatay and Kubrador and for developing the “Found Story” filmmaking approach. His recognition was conferred posthumously.
Teodoro “Teddy” Hilado — Theater Hilado was recognized for his work in theatrical lighting design, an area that has rarely been represented among National Artists for Theater. He received the honor posthumously.
Alfredo S. Buenaventura — Music A composer and conductor whose body of work includes operas, symphonies, concertos, ballets, choral works and other compositions.
Of the 10 honorees, Brillantes, Formoso, Lao and Hilado were recognized posthumously.
The Order of National Artists is the Philippines’ highest national recognition for Filipinos who have made distinct and significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts and letters.
The President confers the recognition upon the recommendation of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
National Artists receive the title and rank of National Artist, a citation, a Grand Collar and a gold-plated medallion minted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
Living National Artists are also entitled under current guidelines to a minimum P200,000 cash award, a P50,000 lifetime monthly stipend, medical and hospitalization benefits of up to P750,000 annually, and other privileges.
The latest group is the first new batch of National Artists since 2022.
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Date posted: September 11, 2026 3:42 PM