Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions

Lesson Seven: National Artist and Ga Awards

Welcome to Lesson Seven

  • Lesson overview: National Artist and Ga Awards
  • National Artist: Order of National Artist of the Philippines
  • Ga Award: National Living Treasure Award
  • Significant contributions to Philippine Arts and Cultural Heritage

National Artist of the Philippines

  • Official name: Order of National Artist of the Philippines
  • Established in 1972 by President Ferdinand Marcos
  • Awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to Philippine Arts
  • Categories: Music, Dance, Theater, Visual Arts, Literature, Film and Broadcast Arts, Architecture, Design, and Allied Arts

Categories of National Artist Award

  • Music: Singing, Composition, Direction, Performance
  • Dance: Choreography, Direction, Performance
  • Theater: Direction, Performance, Production Design
  • Visual Arts: Paintings, Sculpture, Printmaking, Photography, Installation art, etc.
  • Literature: Poetry, Fiction, Essay, Playwriting, Journalism, Literary Criticism
  • Film and Broadcast Arts: Direction, Writing, Production Design, Cinematography, etc.
  • Architecture, Design, and Allied Arts: Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, etc.

Selection and Nomination Process

  • Cultural organizations, educational institutions, and private foundations can nominate
  • The order is administered by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and National Commission of Culture and Arts
  • Nominees are screened and deliberated by these organizations
  • Recommended nominees are submitted to the President for final selection
  • The President issues a proclamation and confers the award

Qualifications for National Artist Award

  • Living artists who are Filipino citizens or those who died after 1972
  • Artists who have made significant contributions to Filipino arts
  • Artists who have pioneered in a creative expression or style
  • Artists with a substantial body of work and consistent excellence
  • Artists with broad national and international recognition

Benefits of National Artist Award

  • Rank and title of National Artist
  • Gold-plated medallion and citation
  • Lifetime emoluments and material benefits
  • Cash Award for living awardees: 100,000 PHP
  • Cash Award for posthumous awardees: 75,000 PHP
  • Monthly life pension, medical and hospitalization benefits
  • Funeral assistance and place of honor at national events

National Living Treasure Award (Ga Award)

  • Introduced in 1992 through Republic Act No. 7355
  • Recognizes individuals or groups for their contribution to intangible cultural heritage
  • Administered by the National Commission of Culture and Arts
  • Selection process similar to National Artist Award
  • Award for preserving traditional and folk arts and skills

Criteria for Ga Award

  • Mastery of tools and materials for traditional folk art
  • Consistent production of works with exceptional technical quality
  • Involvement in traditional and folk art for at least 50 years
  • Command, respect, and admiration within the community
  • Transfer of skills to others in the community

Benefits of Ga Award

  • Gold-plated medallion and citation
  • Lifetime emoluments and material benefits
  • Cash Award of 250,000 PHP
  • Lifetime personal monthly stipend of 50,000 PHP
  • Medical and hospitalization benefits
  • State funeral arrangement (optional)
  • Representational role at cultural events

National Artist Awardees

  • Levi Celerio - National Artist for Literature and Music
  • Ryan Cayabyab - National Artist for Music
  • Francisco Santiago - National Artist for Music
  • Alice Reyes - National Artist for Dance
  • Bienvenido Lumbera - National Artist for Theater
  • Salvador F. Bernal - National Artist for Theater Design
  • Fernando Amorsolo - National Artist for Visual Arts
  • Francisco Coching - National Artist for Visual Arts
  • NVM Gonzalez - National Artist for Literature
  • Lino Brocka - National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts
  • Leandro Locsin - National Artist for Architecture

Ga Awardees

  • Folk Architecture - Antonino D. Austria
  • Maritime Transport - Amang Pintor
  • Weaving - Magdalena Gamayo
  • Carving - Yabing Masalon Dulo
  • Performing Arts - Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa
  • Literature - Genevieve Asenjo
  • Graphic and Plastic Arts - Eduardo Mutuc
  • Textile or Fiber Art - Ambalang Ausalin
  • Pottery - Juliana Labi
  • Other Artistic Expressions - Lang Dulay