NATIONAL ARTIST FOR CINEMA/FILM

1. LAMBERTO V. AVELLANA (FEB. 12, 1915 – APRIL 25, 1991)

- Avellana was tagged as the “The boy wonder of Philippine Movies” as early as 1939.
Kalderong Pilak was the first film by a Filipino filmmaker shown in Cannes International
Film Festival. His works were recognized with awards such as Grand Prix at the Asian Film
Festival in Hong Kong for Anak Dalita (1956) Best director of Asia award in Tokyo for
Badjao, among others.

2. EDDIE S. ROMERO (JULY 7, 1924-MAY 28, 2013)

- Romero is a screenwriter, film director and producer who is behind the Filipino classics such
as “Ganito kami noon… Paano kami ngayon?”, “Banta ng kahapon” and “Aguilla”as well
as the 13 – part series “Noli Me Tangere”.

3. LINO BROCKA (APRIL 3, 1939 – MAY 22, 1991)

- Catalino “Lino” Ortiz Brocka is recognized for his films which explores the lives of people in
marginalized sectors. His films, which include “Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang” (1974),
“Insiang” (1976), “Bona” (1980), and “Maynila: Sa Kuko ng Liwanag (1975), garnered
recognition not only in the country but also around the world. Aside from films, Brocka also
directed for theater organizations such as Philippines Educational Theater Associations
(PETA) and the Concerned Artist for the Philippines (CAP).

4. ISHMAEL BERNAL (SEPT. 30, 1938 – JUNE 2, 1996)

- Bernal, who was hailed by the critics as “The Genius of the Philippine cinema”, is known for
directing films that projects the realities of the Filipinos. His films such as “Himala” (1982),
“City after Dark” (1980), “Nunal sa Tubig” (1976) are social commentaries that reflect the
struggles of the people and aim to address the issues such as censorship and justice to
oppressed. He was hailed as the Director of the Decade of the 1970’s by the Catholic Mass
Media Awards: four – time Best Director by the Urian Awards (1989, 1985,1983 and 1977);
and given the ASEAN Cultural Award in Communications Arts in 1993.

5. RONALD ALAN K. POE (AUG. 20, 1939 – DEC. 14, 2004)

- More popularly known as Fernando Poe Jr. He is considered an icon of the film industry
working as an actor, director, writer and producer. He starred in a number of films like Mga
Alabok sa Lupa (1967), Totoy Bato (1977) and Ang Panday Series (1980,1981,1982 and
1984).

6. GERARDO DE LEON (SEPT. 12, 1913 – JULY 25, 1981)

- De Leon is a prominent film maker in the 50’s and 60’s producing classics such as “Daigdig
ng mga Api”, “Noli Me Tangere”, “El Filibusterrismo”, “Dyesebel” and “Sisa”.
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR VISUAL ARTS

1. FERNANDO AMORSOLO (MAY 30, 1892 – APRIL 24, 1972)

- Amorsolo is the first National Artist in the country. He was known for using backlighting
technique in PAINTING, making his creations bright and cheerful. His major works include
“Dalagang Bukid”, “El Ciego”, “The Mestiza” and Planting Rice.

2. CARLOS “BOTONG FRANCISO (NOV. 4, 1912 – MARCH 31,1969)

- Francisco revived the art of MURAL PAINTING and was considered to be the most
distinguished mural painter for about three decades. He was known for using HISTORICAL
events as a subject matter for his murals. His major works include “Blood Compact”, “First
Mass in Limasawa”, “Bayanihan”, and “The invasion of Limahong”.

3. GUILLERMO E. TOLENTINO (JULY 24, 1890 – JULY 12, 1976)

- Honored as national artist for sculpture in 1973, Tolentino’s works include the “UP
OBLATION”, “Bonifacio Monument” in Caloocan, and bronze statues of Manuel Quezon at
Quezon Memorial Circle. He was also known for designing the seal of Republic of the
Philippines and the gold and bronze medals for Ramon Magsaysay Awardees.

4. ANG KIUKOK (March 1, 1931 – May 9, 2005)

- He was known for paintings EXPRESSING NATIONALISM and SOCIOLOGIGAL agenda during
60’s through vivid CUBISTIC figures. His words include “Geometric Landscape”, “Pieta”, and
the “Seated Figure”.

5. BENIDICTO CABRERA (APRIL 10, 1942)

- Known as “Bencab”, Cabrera was noted as the best-selling painter of his generation of
Filipino artist. He is also well known for his sketches of a scavenger named “Sabel, a symbol
of dislocation, despair and isolation – the personification of human dignity threatened by
life’s circumstances.

6. ABDULMARI ASIA IMAO (JAN. 14, 1936 – DEC. 16, 2014)

- Imao was instrumental in popularizing the UKIL and SARIMANOK and NAGA motifs in the
country as original Filipino creations. Using his SCULPTURES and monuments of Muslim and
regional leaders and heroes, he has helped in developing trust and confidence among
cultural groups, which is needed in building a more humane community and society.