Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
National Capital Region
Division of Taguig and Pateros
SENATOR RENATO COMPAERO CAYETANO MEMORIAL SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY HIGH SCHOOL
31ST COR 51ST ST. PAMAYANANG DIEGO SILANG, BCDA, USUSAN, TAGUIG
CITY
TELEPHONE NO: 828-0140

CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGIONS

SHS Grade 11
SECOND SEMESTER

TITLE/TOPIC: NATIONAL ARTISTS OF THE PHILIPPINES

SUBMITTED BY: AUDREY AYUSTE SAMANTHA YERE BIANCA TANA
PATRICIA DIESTA SHAINA MACABANTI JULY MORADILLO
SUBMITTED TO: MR. JUDD LAWRENCE D. GUY-JOCO
DATE: February 6, 2017

What is the National Artists Award?

Among the various institutional awards and recognition instruments,

the National Artist Award (NAA) bestows the highest form of
recognition to Filipino artists for their significant contributions in the
arts and letters. The award is conferred every three years through rigorous
deliberation and selection process jointly facilitated by the two major cultural
offices, the National on Commission on Culture and Arts and the Cultural
Center of the Philippines.

NAA was established in 1972 under Presidential Decree No. 1001

issued by then President Ferdinand Marcos. The first recipient was
Fernando Amorsolo, who was conferred the award posthumously. Much has
changed since the institutionalization of the award. As of this writing, the
roster has included 66 awardees from seven disciplinal areas namely: (1)
architecture, design and allied arts (2) film and broadcast art (3) visual arts
(4) literature (5) dance (6) music (7) theater. In the history of the NAA,
other categories have been considered by virtue of the presidents
prerogative, among them, historical literature, and fashion design.

What are some examples of works of National Artists?

A. Works of National Artist in Public Spaces: a Look at UP Diliman

A good number of works by National Artist can be found in university
campuses. One such example is the University of the Philippines (UP)
campus in Diliman, Quezon City.
The iconic school symbol is based
on the Oblation, 1935, a
sculptural work by the classically
trained sculptor Guillermo
Tolentino (awarded 1973)
depicting a male nude with arms
outstretched as a gesture of
sacrifice and freedom. It was later
cast in bronze also by Guillermo
Tolentino (awarded 1973).
Oblation by Gullermo Tolentino

Tolentino was a proponent of the academic tradition in sculpture much

like Fernando Amorsolo (awarded 1972) is painting. Amorsolos romantic
paintings of bucolic landscapes and idealized portraits of prominent
individuals from the Commonwealth Period and the Second world war can be
viewed at the Jorge B. Vargas Museum in Up. Aside from monuments or
statues in public spaces, as of this
writing many of Tolentinos works
can be viewed at the National
Museum. Both National Artists
served as professors at the UP
School of Fine Arts and have been
influential as teachers and artists.

Harvest Scene by Fernando

Amorsolo
 On the other hand,
Adulmari Asia Imaos
calligraphic work done in the 80s
(awarded last 2006) at the
sculpture garden of the Vargas
Museum called Allah Configuration,
is one of the largest public
sculptures he made.

Allah Configuration by Abdulmari Asia Imao

Benedicto Bavrevas (awarded 2006) iconic Variations of Sabel, 2015

made of aluminum sheets can also be found at the UP Theater.

A. Works of National Artists in Public Spaces: A Look at UP Diliman

JOSE JOYA (National Artist for Painting in 2003)

President of the Art Association of the Philippines

Artwork: The Barter of Panay

It is an abstract painting consists of soft, overlapping planes of black,

white, orange, brown and golden yellow. It establishes links to the
legend, referencing the trade between Datu Puti and King Marikudo,
the former bearing gold accessories to purchase the lowlands of Panay
from the latter. The Barter of Panay is found in the Business
Administration building of UP Diliman and was made in 1978.

NAPOLEON ABUEVA (National Artist for Sculpture in 1976)

Godfather of Philippine Modern Sculpture

Youngest recipient of the National Artist award at the age of 46

Artwork: Spirit of Business

It is made of metal and done in 1979, the forward thrust of the spear-
like elements is symbolic of how it propels us toward progress and
 development. It also depicts the business cycle, signifying the act of
moving forward in business and entrepreneurship.

CHURCH OF THE HOLY SACRIFICE

It was inaugurated in 1955.

It was dubbed as "flying saucer", its circular architecture with a thin
shell dome departs it from the rectangular configuration of most
churches. the architect who made this possible was Architect Leandro
Locsin (National Artist for Architecture in 1980)
The double-sided crucifix carved in hardwood found hanging above the
circular altar of the church was made by Napoleon Abueva.
The terrazzo floor work was made by Arturo Luz.
Flat and angular shapes finds resonance in the 15 Stations of the Cross
which are murals painted by Vicente Manansala.

ARTURO LUZ

A painter, sculptor and designer, received the title of National Artist in

Visual Arts in 1997. He is a member of the Neo-Realists and the
Thirteen Moderns and he also described himself as semi-
representational, semi-abstracted. He is best known for his linear art
and his series on street musicians, vendors, cyclists and carnival
performers, but also sculpted using wood, concrete and metal. His
works are characterized by sophisticated simplicity and exemplify
sublime austerity in their expression and form.

Artwork: Rivers of Life

A terrazzo floor or a floor mosaic which

suggests flowing rivers that terminate in the
altar as a whirling pattern of planar forms.
The concept of the artwork seems to have
the spirit of Christianity flow from the altar,
and down into the streets of the university.

VICENTE MANANSALA

Known for his cubist paintings

 awarded on 1981

Artwork 1: 15 Stations of the Cross by Vicente Manansala

Christ and characters surrounding his

passion are represented with mildly
distorted figures- limbs are
elongated, and volume is suggested
through solid, hard-edged shapes,
lending the compositions a cubist quality.

Artwork 2: Detail of Crucifixion

a cubist representation of the crucifixion theme.

Manansala commented on his Crucifixion subject: I wanted to show
the power of God in a silent manner, to express reverence and
respect. The present work, dated 1968, evidently adheres to this
philosophy. Manansala depicts the all-embracing, loving Christ on the
cross, in peaceful repose while the Virgin. Mary and John, Jesus most-
beloved disciple, are shown quietly grieving at his side.

JOSE MACEDA

His 100th birth anniversary is last January 31 and he is a composer,

musicologist, teacher and performer who explored the musicality of
the Filipino deeply. Maceda embarked on a life-long dedication to the
understanding and popularization of Filipino traditional music.

Music: Pagsamba

Music involved a hundred mixed voices, indigenous musical

instruments such as bamboo buzzers, clappers and whistle flutes;
while incorporating a prayer sung in Tagalog.
Worship (ritual music for a circular auditorium, text from the Mass
[Tagalog translation]), 100 mixed voices, 25 male voices, 8 suspended
agung, 8 suspended gandingan, 100 players (100 ongiyong [whistle
flutes from the Philippines], 100 balingbing [bamboo buzzers from the
Philippines], 100 palakpak [bamboo clappers from the Philippines],
100 bangibang [yoke-shaped wooden bars from the Philippines; played
with beaters]), 1968
ANG KIUKOK

For many he seems the

epitome of cynicism. And yet,
when one looks at his art
carefully, one sees he is a
cynic only because he is,
primarily, an idealist.

Kiukoks paintings serve as

reminders to a society where integrity and moral rectitude receive
more lip service than practice. His art hopes to awaken and perhaps
alter the deluded priorities of a world where the basic drive is toward
the acquisition of wealth and the deception of ones fellow man.

B. Translations and Collaborative Works of National Artists

MANUEL CONDE

He is an actor, filmmaker, and director. He directed the acclaimed film

Genghis Khan. He collaborated with Carlos V. Francisco in many of his
films including the Genghis Khan.
He was awarded the National Artist Award on 2009.
The film Genghis Khan that he directed was screened in may film
festivals and translated into 16 languages for international distribution,
the most recent of which was at the 2015 Venice Biennale.

CARLOS V. FRANCISCO

He worked with Manuel Conde in many of his films including the

acclaimed Genghis Khan. And he took charge of the costume and set
design. The film was filmed in his native Angono.
He is known for his magisterial mural but it is said that his imaginative
design enriched Condes cinematic vision.
Francisco was awarded the National Artist Award on 1973.

BIENVENIDO LUMBERA
 He wrote the libretto of the pop rock opera Tales of the Manuvu. And
collaborated with Alice Reyes and Salvador Bernal.
He is a scholar, poet and teacher.
Lumbera was declared the National Artist for Literature on 2006.

ALICE REYES

She choreographed the performance of the pop rock opera Tales of the
Manuvu which was performed at the CCP in 1985. She collaborated
with Bienvenido Lumbera and Salvador Bernal.
Alice Reyes is the founder of Ballet Philippines.
Reyes was awarded the National Artist for Dance on 2014.

SALVADOR BERNAL

He collaborated with Bienvenido Lumbera and Alice Reyes in the pop

rock opera Tales of the Manuvu which talks about the Manobo tribes
story about our origin as a people and as a nation.
Bernal took charge of the costume and set design in the Tales of the
Manuvu.
He was awarded the National Artist for Theater on 2003.

NOONG UNANG PANAHON

One of the songs popularized by the production of Tales of Manuvu.

A melancholic reminiscence of ecological transformation, still
compelling in todays context.
Leah Navarro is the original singer of this song
Music by Nonong Pedero and lyrics by Bienvenido Lumbera
(Awarded as National Artist of the Philippines for Literature in 2006)

FRANCISCO V. COCHING (January 29, 1919 September 1, 1998)

A Filipino comic books illustrator and writer and is regarded as one

of the pillars of the Philippine Komiks Industry.
He served as both illustrator and writer for his comic book stories
Referred to as the "King of Komiks", and as the "Dean of Philippine
Comics".
Posthumously named as a National Artist of the Philippines for the
Visual Arts by virtue of Proclamation No. 808, series of 2014.
Created Pedro Penduko in Liwayway comics before the emergence
of fantaserye (fantasy series) on national television
GERARDO DE LEON (September 12, 1913 July 25, 1981)

A Filipino actor-turned-film director.

Turned Pedro Penduko into film in 1954
Awarded as National Artist of the Philippines for Film in 1982

LAMBERTO V. AVELLANA (February 12, 1915 April 25, 1991)

Was a prominent Filipino film and stage director.

Adapted A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino to a film in 1965
Awarded as National Artist of the Philippines for Film in 1976
Avellana was named by President Ferdinand Marcos as the very first
National Artist of the Philippines for Film.

DAISY HONTIVEROS AVELLANA (January 26, 1917 May 12, 2013)

Wife of Lamberto V. Avellana

A Filipino stage actress and theater director.
Played the lead character (Candida Marasigan) in both film and theater
of A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino
Honored as a National Artist of the Philippines for Theater and Film in
1999.

NICOMEDES MRQUEZ JOAQUN (May 4, 1917 April 29, 2004)

Filipino writer, historian and journalist, best known for his short
stories and novels in the English language

A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS FILIPINO: AN ELEGY IN THREE

SCENES

It was described as Joaquins most popular play, as the "most

important Filipino play in English", and as probably the best-known
Filipino play".
The theme focuses on family conflict and the amalgamation of
old Filipino identity and cultural character with the arrival of
contemporary and Western ideals.
Apart from being regarded also as the national play of the Philippines
because of its popularity, it also became one of the important reads
in English classes in the Philippines.

2009 NATIONAL ARTISTS OF THE PHILIPPINES CONTROVERSY

 Refers to the controversial proclamation as National Artists of the
Philippines of four individuals via the Presidential prerogative of Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo.
Controversy arose from the revelation that musician Ramon
Santos had been dropped from the list of nominees short-listed in May
that year by the selection committee, and four other individuals had
been nominated to the title via "Presidents prerogative"

NAME INSERTION

The most controversial aspect of conferring this award is the reported

name insertion committed by former presidents themselves in the
final list of honorees.

Newsbreak reported in 2009 that since the creation of the awards in

1972, almost all presidents, except for Corazon Aquino, have bypassed
the recommendations of the NCCA-CCP and favored some personalities
instead.

The latest controversy is the reported exclusion of actress Nora Aunor

from the final list of honorees this year. She was originally among
those shortlisted for the honor, but was disregarded in the end.
President Benigno Aquino III has not issued a statement about why
Aunor was left out of the final list of honorees, but netizens and fans
are speculating that her previous run-in with the law in the US might
have been a factor. It's not the first time that a president has turned
down a recommendation by the NCCA-CCP. In 2009, former president
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo dropped musician Ramon Santos from the
line-up of 4 nominees submitted to her. Santos was eventually named
a national artist this year by Aquino.

1982: During the time when a circle of advisers was consulted on who
should be named National Artists, former president Ferdinand Marcos
insisted on having a say in the selection. He wanted the award for
Carlos P. Romulo (for literature) and got his wish.

1997: Then president Fidel V. Ramos created a new category

historical literature to accommodate biographer Carlos Quirino, who
was eliminated as early as the first stage of the selection process.
 Quirinos children reportedly lobbied for his inclusion by sending the
president a letter that mentioned how Ramos and Quirino knew each
other personally.

1999: Former president Joseph Estrada named his good friend Ernani
Cuenco as National Artist for Music even before the NCCA-CCP could
submit to him the list of awardees, which did not include Cuenco. This
resulted in the proclamation for Cuenco bearing a date earlier than the
proclamations for the other awardees.

2003: Arroyo named writer Alejandro Roces a National Artist for

Literature in 2003 even though he was eliminated from the first round
of selection. Roces was education secretary of the late President
Diosdado Macapagal, the incumbents father. He was even fired as
chair of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board
during Arroyo's time, yet was given the National Artist Award.

2006: Arroyo conferred the award on the late Senator Francisco Soc
Rodrigo (for writing poetry and translating plays) and sculptor and
painter Abdulmari Asia Imao as a form of "political accomodation."
Rodrigo was Macapagals contemporary as an anti-Marcos politician,
and his daughter was Arroyo's high school best friend and
correspondence secretary in Malacaang. Imao, on the other hand,
was conferred the award after Malacaang was flooded by petitions
and endorsements mostly from Mindanao. Between the two, only Imao
was given the award in the end.

2009: Arroyo named as National Artists filmmaker Carlo Magno Jose

Caparas, theater stalwart Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, architect Francisco
Bobby Maosa, and fashion designer Jose Pitoy Moreno all not
part of the shortlist given by the NCCA-CCP. Of the 4, the choices of
Caparas and Alvarez were the more controversial ones. None of them
were conferred the award in the end.