Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has named 10 new National Artists across literature, visual arts, architecture, dance, design, film and broadcast arts, theater and music, marking the first batch to receive the highest recognition for the arts since 2022.
Malacañang confirmed Wednesday, Sept 9, that the president conferred the Order of National Artists through Proclamation No. 1414, s. 2026.
The new National Artists are Nicanor Tiongson and Gregorio Brillantes for Literature; Imelda Cajipe Endaya and Nunelucio Alvarado for Visual Arts; Gabriel Formoso for Architecture; Rafael “Nonoy” Froilan for Dance; Maria Beatriz “Patis” Tesoro for Design; Armando “Bing” Lao for Film and Broadcast Arts; Teodoro Hilado for Theater; and Alfredo Buenaventura for Music.
The Order of National Artists is the highest national recognition conferred on Filipinos who have made significant contributions to Philippine arts and letters. The honor is conferred by the president upon recommendations from the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
Who are the new National Artists?
Nicanor Tiongson is a critic, scholar, playwright and cultural historian known for his extensive work on theater, film and popular culture. A former dean of the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication, his scholarship has examined traditional Filipino theater and the development of cinema.
Gregorio “Greg” Brillantes, who died in 2025, was one of the prominent fiction writers and essayists. His works explored Filipino middle-class life, faith, politics and society. His recognition is posthumous, which is allowed under the Honors Code.
Imelda Cajipe Endaya is a visual artist, curator and cultural worker whose body of work has frequently explored women’s experiences, Philippine history, identity and social issues.
Nunelucio “Nune” Alvarado is a Negros-based social realist artist known for works depicting sugar workers, farmers and marginalized communities, particularly the lives and struggles of people in Negros.
Gabriel Formoso was a leading Filipino architect whose works helped shape the postwar modern architectural landscape.
Rafael “Nonoy” Froilan is a dancer, choreographer and longtime figure in ballet who became closely associated with Ballet Philippines and the development of contemporary dance.
Maria Beatriz “Patis” Tesoro is a fashion designer and advocate of Filipino textiles and traditional craftsmanship, known for promoting indigenous materials and distinctly Filipino approaches to clothing and design.
Armando “Bing” Lao, who died in 2024, was a screenwriter, filmmaker and mentor known for developing the “Found Story” approach to filmmaking. His writing credits include acclaimed films, while his workshops influenced a generation of independent filmmakers.
Teodoro “Teddy” Hilado is a veteran of theater whose career spans performance, production and the development of the performing arts.
Alfredo Buenaventura is a composer, conductor and music educator whose body of work includes orchestral, choral and other compositions drawing from musical traditions.
Malacañang has yet to announce the date and other details of the formal conferment or awarding ceremony.
