Ten new National Artists named

MALACAÑANG Palace has recognized 10 new National Artists for 2026, honoring artists in such varied fields as theater lighting, architecture, music, and couture.

The list was transmitted by the Palace to the Cultural Center of the Philippines which administers the award, on Sept. 2. The official proclamation has yet to be released. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. issued Proclamation No. 1414 s. 2026 naming the 10 new National Artists.

The artists are: Rafael “Nonoy” Froilan for Dance; Maria Beatriz “Patis” Tesoro for Design; Nicanor Tiongson for Literature; Alfredo Buenaventura for Music; Imelda Cajipe Endaya for Visual Arts; Nunelucio Alvarado for Visual Arts; and posthumously, Gabriel Formoso for Architecture, Armando “Bing” Lao for Film and Broadcast Arts, Gregorio Brillantes for Literature, and Teodoro Hilado for Theater.

The date of the awarding ceremonies is yet to be announced.

Dancer and choreographer Nonoy Froilan, often referred to as the “King of Dance,” helmed and performed in many productions with Ballet Philippines.

Fashion designer Patis Tesoro, known as the “Grande Dame of Philippine fashion,” has been instrumental in the preservation of the art of piña weaving and the promotion of Filipiniana through her designs.

Composer Alfredo Buenaventura is recognized for his operas, symphonic poems, vocal works, and chamber music. A composer and conductor, he was the Dean of the CEU Conservatory of Music for 30 years and was one of the founders of the Pambansang Samahan ng mga Banda sa Pinas.

Writer and academic Nicanor Tiongson has played a huge part in cultural studies, having authored books on Philippine cinema and art, and plays and dance librettos anchored in Philippine history.

Visual artist Imelda Cajipe Endaya — the first woman National Artist for Visual Arts — has created prints, social realist paintings, mixed media works, and installation art which advocate for women and reference Philippine history and culture.

Meanwhile, visual artist Nunelucio Alvarado from the Visayas has been recognized for his progressive, socially conscious artworks. Among his many accolades was the CCP’s 13 Artist Award.

Architect Gabriel Formoso is known for designing structures such as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and Lepanto Building in Manila, and The Peninsula Manila and Asian Institute of Management in Makati.

Screenwriter Bing Lao pioneered the Found Story school of filmmaking, which aims to capture the essence of Filipino reality by drawing inspiration from real-life objects and phenomena. Among his many scripts were those of Brillante Mendoza’s Kinatay, Jeffrey Jeturian’s Kubrador and Pila Balde, and Chito S. Roño’s Suntok sa Buwan.

Fiction writer, author, and essayist Gregorio Brillantes published numerous short stories which tackle themes of estrangement from family, society, and self.

Teodoro Hilado, considered the father of lighting design in Philippine theater, was technical director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and theater director of the Folk Arts Theater.

The National Artist Award is jointly administered by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) by virtue of Proclamation No. 1390.

In 1972, the Order of National Artist was established under Proclamation No. 1001. It is the highest national recognition conferred upon Filipinos who have made distinct contributions to the development of the Philippine arts and culture.

The National Artists receive a gold-plated medallion minted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and a citation.

The conferment to living National Artists also comes with privileges including a minimum cash award of P200,000 (net of taxes); a minimum lifetime personal monthly stipend of P50,000; medical and hospitalization benefits not exceeding P750,000 annually; coverage with a life insurance policy by the Government Service Insurance System and or/ private insurance companies; and a state funeral. Meanwhile, posthumous awardees are given a one-time minimum cash award of P150,000 (net of taxes), payable to the legal heir/s. — Brontë H. Lacsamana