THEATER ARTS paved the way for the popularization of

Theater, also spelled theatre, is an art concerned almost theatre and dramatic arts in the country,
exclusively with live performances in which the action is
utilizing radio and television.
precisely planned to create a coherent and significant
sense of drama combining music and dancing.

THE MANILA METROPOLITAN THEATER SEVERINO MONTANO

CULTURAL CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINE National Artist for Theater 2001

Established the Arena Theater “to bring drama to

NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR THEATER ARTS the masses”.
SALVADOR F. BERNAL Playwriter, director with over 50 works
Declared National Artist in the year 2003

Father of Theatre Design in the Philippines WILFREDO Ma. GUERRERO

Known for the use of indigenous materials such as National Artist for Theater 1997
bamboo, raw abaca, and abaca fiber, hemp twine, rattan
chain links and gauze cacha in his set designs. Pioneered the concept of theater campus tour

Brought theater plays to the countryside

HONORATA DELA RAMA

Declaired National Artist in the Year 1987 Teodoro “Teddy” Hilado

The first Filipina film actress is recognized as the father of lighting design in Philippine
theater
Dubbed as the Queen of Kundiman
first technical and lighting director of the CCP and the
She became famous for performing “Nabasag ang Banga”
in the first ever Filipino film Dalagang Bukid Bayanihan Dance Group.

ROLANDO S. TINIO NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR DANCE

Proclamed national artist in the year 1997 (posthumous) DEFINITION OF DANCE

He was A prolific poet, theater director and writter who A series of movements involving two partners where
helped establish the filipino- language drama in the 70’s speed and rhythm match harmoniously with music.

His famous works are: lumbay and Larawan based on the The movement of the body in a rhythmic way, usually to
book of Nick Joaquin music and within a given space, for the purpose of
expressing an idea or emotion, releasing energy, or simply
taking delight in the movement itself.
LAMBERTO AVELLANA

Declared National artist on the year 1976 THE HISTORY OF DANCE

Dubbed as the “boy wonder of Philippine films” prior to the Spanish colonization dances were a form of
ceremonial thanksgiving for the gods with moves inspired
First Filipino national artist in theater and film.
by nature or a narrative of a myth or story

During the Spanish dances were a form of social gathering

DAISY AVELLANA during special occasions or Gala.

National Artist for Theater 1999 Dances were more refined and classier in their movement.

“First lady of Philippine theater” Court dances or ballroom dances were the common
dances of this time.
professionalization of Filipino theater

co-founded the Barangay Theatre Guild in1939

In the American period it became much livelier in LUCRESIA REYES URTULA
movement and a cross between the Spanish and American
National Artist for Dance (1988)
dances.
Former director of the Philippine Bayanihan Dance
Clubs became a thing in this period and gave dancing a
Company
more public function and not just for court dances.
Her acclaimed productions are SINKIL based on a
maranaon epic poem, VINTA a dance honoring the Filipino
NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR DANCE sailing prowess, and TAGABILI a tale of tribal conflict.

FRANCISCA REYES AQUINO

National Artist for Dance 1973. NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR VISUAL ART

Dubbed as the Mother of Philippine Folk Dance. DEFINING VISUAL ART

Her thesis titled “Philippine Folk Dances and Games,” Visual arts or studio art refers to art experienced primarily
became basis for the development of MAPEH subjects in through the sense of sight.
elementary and secondary schools.
The term visual arts encompasses several different art
forms, including both fine arts, such as drawing, painting,
photography, and sculpture, as well as handicrafts, such as
LEONOR OROSA GOQUINCO
basketry, ceramics, textiles, and jewelry.
National Artist for Dance 1976

Dubbed the “Trailblazer”, “Mother of Philippine Theater

FERNANDO AMORSOLO
Dance” and “Dean of Filipino Performing Arts Critics”
"Grand Old Man of Philippine Art"
Pioneer Filipino choreographer in balletic folkloric and
Asian styles The most iconic Filipino painter of all time because of his
landscape paintings and portraits
1st Filipina to choreograph the first Philippine folkloric
ballet, Trend: Return to the Native (1941) His works are characterized as very nationalistic

Honorary Chair of the Association of Ballet Academies of First artist to be awarded national artist in the year 1972
the Philippines (ABAP)

Filipinescas Dance Company in 1958

PLANTING RICE (among many series of the same scene)
and THE PALAY MAIDEN

RAMON OBUSAN Mart Henry “Macky” Bongabong is a self-taught artist and

a son of a fisherman
National Artist for dance 2006

marine biologist by education and a cultural

anthropologist before becoming a choreographer CARLOS “BOTONG” FRANCISCO

A dancer, choreographer, stage designer and artistic Received the national artist award in 1973
director.
Dubbed as the father of Philippine murals
Obusan is credited for his work in promoting Philippine
also designed costumes for cinemas
traditional dance and cultural work.
He was responsible for the discovery of the famous
Founded the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group in 1971.
Angono Petroglyphs in 1965

ALICE REYES
The Progress of Medicine in the Philippines
National Artist for Dance (2014)
BY CARLOS “BOTONG” FRANCISC
Mother of Philippine Contemporary Dance

Her distinct contribution is the development of a distinctly

NAPOLEON ABUEVA
Filipino modern dance idiom.
He is dubbed as the father of modern Filipino sculpture
Created Ballet Philippines in 1969
Among his most notable works is the “blood compact” refining cubism in the Philippine
sculpture in bohol and the pegaraw in UP Los Banos
Legaspi belonged to the so-called “Thirteen Moderns” and
later, the “Neo-realists”.

GUILLERMO TOLENTINO Legaspi made use of the geometric fragmentation

technique, and weaving social content
A Filipino sculptor and UP professor

National Artist of the Philippines for Sculpture in 1973

HERNANDO OCAMPO
Famous for his work the Oblation in UP and Bonifacio
monument. credited for inventing a new mode of abstraction,
exemplifying Philippine flora and fauna

Hernando Ocampo is a self-taught painter famous for his

BENIDICTO CABRERA
abstract work
award for national artist in 2006
Aside from painting he is also a fictionist, playwright and
His career started in London, and upon returning to the editor
country resided in Baguio where his museum is now
located
ARTURO LUZ
Among his most famous works is the Sabel series, one of
which is the most expensive painting ever sold from the National Artist for Visual Arts (1997)
Philippines.
A printmaker, sculptor, designer, and founding member of
the modern Neo-Realist school in Philippine art.

VICENTE MANANSALA Luz describes his works as "semirepresentational,

semiabstract."
Born in Macabebe, Pampanga on January 22, 1910
Luz was a founding director of the Metropolitan Museum
National artist for painting 1981
of Manila, and from 1976 to 1986.
A cubist painter and illustrator

Manansala’s popular works include Madonna of the

ANG KIUKOK
Slums, Jeepneys, and San Francisco Del Monte. He was
also an illustrator for the Philippine Herald. National Artist for Visual Art 2001

A neo-realist, he became known for uniquely depicting Kiukok was a Filipino cubist painter of Chinese descent.
together cultures of the barrio and the city in his artworks. His style is a merge of influences from cubism, surrealism,
and expressionism.

works which were often feature fighting cocks, dogs, and

VICTORIO C. EDADES
people in chains. Some of his best works include
National Artist for Painting (1976) Geometric Landscape, Pieta, and Seated Figure.

“Father of Philippine modern painting”

A member of the “Triumvirate” along with Botong JOSE T. JOYA

Francisco and Galo B. Ocampo who promoted mural
National Artist for Visual Arts (2003)
painting in the country.
“spearheaded the birth, growth and flowering of abstract
THE SKETCH and THE JAPANESE GIRL
expressionism”
TERESA AGUSTIAN and POINSETTIA GIRL
Aside from being a painter he is also a printmaker, mixed-
THE BUILDERS media artist and ceramicist.

He and Napolean Abueva represented the Philippines in

the prestigious Venice Biennale in 1958 for the fist time.
CESAR LEGAZPI

National Artist for Visual Arts (1990)

ABDULMARI ASIA IMAO
A pioneer “Neo-Realist” of the country
National Artist for Sculpture 2006

Imao is the first ever Moro to receive a National Artist

recognition.

Born to a family of boat-makers, he showed interest in

arts at an early age wrote a request to then President
Magsaysay for a study grant, and was given scholarships
to study abroad.

He is known for his okir, sarimanok, and the naga

sculptures, and is considered the brass making consultant
of the U.N.

JELIZALDE NAVARRO

National Artist for Visual Arts (1999)

He is a versatile artist, being both a proficient painter and

sculptor.

He has done a series of figurative works drawing

inspiration from Balinese art and culture

Represented the Philippines at the Sao Paolo Biennale in

Brazil in 1967

First filipino to represent the philippines in the Yayasan

Dharma Seni Museum Neka in Bali, Indonesia.

LAURO “LARRY” ALCALA

National Artist for Visual Arts (2018)

Cartoonist, Comic illustrator and editorial cartoonist.

n his 50 years of cartooning, Larry Alcala created over 500

characters, 20 comic strips, six movies, two murals and
15,000 published pages.

FRANCISCO COCHING

National Artist for Visual Arts (2014)

Filipino comic books illustrator and a key figure during the

Golden Age of Philippine Comics during the 50s and 60s

hailed the Dean of Philippine Comics, King of Komiks, and

a “master storyteller in images and print”

His storyline: fantasy, love, and adventure were the usual

themes of his works drawing inspiration from awit and
korido. His works illustrated gallant men and beautiful
ladies and the victory of good over evil.