Eight individuals were conferred the National Artist order by President Duterte—three of them posthumously-- the second under his administration in Malacanang on Thursday. The event was not aired live but was posted at the Facebook page of the Presidential Communications and Operations Office.
With exactly two weeks before his departure from Malacañang, President Duterte on Thursday conferred the National Artist awards to eight individuals for their contributions to various fields of the arts and letters.
Given the highest honors were: Nora Aunor (national artist for film and broadcast arts), Marilou Diaz-Abaya (posthumous for film and broadcast arts), Ricky Lee for film and broadcast arts, Agnes Locsin for dance, Salvacion Lim-Higgins for design, Gemino Abad for literature, Fides Cuyugan-Asensio for music and Antonio Mabesa for theater.
The awarding was not aired live but a short clip of the ceremony was uploaded on Facebook pages of the Presidential Communications Operations Office. This is the second batch of national artist under the Duterte Administration.
Some National Artists, like Ricky Lee, personally received the order. But veteran actress Nora Aunor was represented by children—actors Matet and Ian de Leon.
Singer-actor Marc Abaya likewise received the order for his late mother, Marilou Diaz-Abaya.
The announcement of the National Artists was made through Proclamation No. 1390, signed by President Duterte on June 10. The declaration was upon the joint recommendation of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
OpinYon president, Michelle Nikki Junia, a member of the CCP board took part in the final deliberations for the National Artists award that was attended by both CCP and NCCA board of commissioners.
The new National Artists is the second batch declared under the leadership of Duterte. So far, the Philippines has 86 national artists.
The National Artist Award, created under Proclamation 1001 and issued on April 27, 1972, is the highest national recognition given to Filipinos who have made significant and outstanding contributions to the development of Philippine arts.
NCCA guidelines approved in 2017 showed that national artists receive a gold-plated medallion minted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and a citation. They also get a life emolument and material and physical benefits comparable to those received by the country’s highest officers.
Living awardees will be given a minimum cash award of P200,000; a monthly life pension worth P50,000; yearly medical and hospitalization benefits; life insurance coverage; a state funeral; and a place of honor in state functions, national commemoration rites, and other cultural presentations.
Meanwhile, the legal heirs of deceased awardees receive a one-time minimum cash award of P150,000.
After years of clamor, actress Nora Aunor was named National Artist for Cinema, alongside late director Marilou Diaz Abaya.
Screenwriter and novelist Ricky Lee, another film industry pillar, was named National Artist for Literature, alongside poet Gemino Abad.
Stage director and theater actor Tony Mabesa, who died in 2019, was named National Artist for Theater.
Choreographer Agnes Locsin, known for pioneering neo-ethnic dance, was named National Artist for Dance.
Legendary soprano Fides Cuyugan-Asensio was given the title National Artist for Music.
The late Salvacion Lim Higgins, known for reinventing the terno, was named National Artist for Fashion.
The Order of National Artists recognizes Filipinos who have made significant contributions to Philippine arts and letters. Previous honorees include composer Ryan Cayabyab, dancer Alice Reyes, actor Fernando Poe Jr, writer Bienvenido Lumbera, and architect Leandro Locsin.
On top of the title, the national artists received a cash grant, monthly life pension, medical and hospitalization benefits, life insurance coverage, state funeral and burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, and a place of honor.
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