Philippine National

Artists (PNA)
Fernando Amorsolo
(May 30, 1892 – Apr 24, 1972)
Known for painting
Born in Manila
Died aged 79
Famous for painting rural Philippine
landscapes, historical paintings, and
women with dominantly filipina features
El Ciego (1929)
Trademark: Chiaroscuro
First to be awarded as a Philippine
national artist for painting (Jan 23,
1969)
Notable works: Afternoon meal of the
rice workers (1951), The making of the
 Levi Celerio
(Apr 13, 1910 – Apr 2, 2002)
Known for composing and lyric
writing
Born in tondo, Manila
Died aged 92
Credited for writing 4,000+ songs
Hatinggabi &
sa ugoy ng duyan Only man to play music with a leaf
(Guinness book of records)
Awarded as a PNA for Music and
Literature (oct 9, 1997)
Notable works: Sa Ugoy ng Duyan,
Kahit Konting Pagtingin, ang pasko
 Alice Reyes
(Oct 14, 1942 – present)
Known for Dancing, Choreographing,
and Producing
Born in Manila
Current age: 74
Organized the Ballet Philippines
Amada (1969) Popularized contemporary & Modern
dance in PH
Trademark: Contemporary dance with
tribal influences
Awarded PNA for Dance (Jun 20, 2014)
Notable works: Amada (1969), Tales of
the Manuvu (1970), Rama Hari (1980)
Nestor Vicente Madali (NVM)Gonzalez
(Sept 8, 1915 – Nov 28, 1999)

Known for writing (fiction and non-

fiction)
Born in Mansalay, oriental mindoro
Died aged 84
Famous for writing short stories, novels,
essays, poetry, as well as being a
The winds of April
(1941) journalist
Awarded PNA for literature (1997)
Other Awards: Palanca award (1952),
Centennial award for Literature (1998)
Notable works: The winds of April
(1941), The Happiest Boy of the WorlD,
 Juan Nakpil
(May 26, 1899 – May 7,1986)
Known for architecture
Born in Quiapo, Manila
Died aged 86
started modern architecture period
in PH

Quezon hall,
Founded what is now known as the
UP Diliman Philippine Institute of Architects
Trademark: Indigenous-inspired
designs
Awarded PNA for Architecture (1973)
Notable works: Rizal Shrine, UP
Diliman Administration Bldg. (Quezon
Napoleon Abueva
(Jan 26, 1930 – Feb 16, 2018)
Known for Sculpting
Born in Tagbiliran, Bohol
Died aged 88
“Father of Modern Philippine
Sculpture”
Siyam na Diwata First Awardee of PNA for Sculpture
ng Singin(1929)
(1976)
Youngest recipient of PNA at age
46
Notable works: UP Gateway
(1967), Sandugo (Blood Compact),
Syam na Diwata ng Sining (1994)
Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero
(Jan 22, 1911– Apr 28, 1995)
Known for Writing plays, Directing, and
Acting
Born in Ermita, Manila
Died aged 84
Wrote over 100 plays, only 41 are
published
The Forsaken House
First Filipino to have a theater named
after him within his lifetime
Awarded a PNA for Philippine thEater
(1997)
Notable works: Wanted: A Chaperon,
Condemned, Half an Hour in a Convent,
 Lino Brocka
(Apr 3, 1939 – May 21, 1991)
Known for Filmmaking and Directing
Born in Pilar, Sorsogon
Died aged 52
Co-founded Concerned Artists of the
Philippines (CAP) and the Free the Artist
Movement
Insiang (1976)
Openly fought against martial law,
through and outside filmmaking
Directed over 40 films
Awarded PNA for Film (1997)
Notable works: Tinimbang ka ngunit
kinulang (1974), Insiang, (1976), Bayan
Ishmael Bernal
(Sept 30, 1938 – Jun 2, 1996)
Known for Directing, acting, and
screenwriting
Born in Manila
Died aged 57
Board member of CAP and Directors
Himla (1982) Guild of the Philippines, Inc.
Trademark: Feminist and moral-
centered melodramas
Awarded PNA for film (2001)
Notable works: Nunal sa Tubig
(1975), Relasyon (1982), Himala
Francisco Coching
(Jan 29, 1919 – Sept 1, 1998)
Known for Comics and cartoon
Born in Buting, Pasig, Rizal
Province
Died aged 78
Created 53 comic novels overall
Lapu-Lapu
“King of Komiks” and “Dean of
Philippine Comics”
Awarded a PNA for Visual Arts
(jun 20, 2014)
Notable works: Pedro Penduko,
Hagibis, El Negro, Sa Ngalan ng
 Ramon Valera
(Aug 31, 1912 – May 25, 1972)
Known for Fashion Design
Born in Abra
Died aged 60
Works are now a standard for intricate
sewing, embroidery, and handiwork;
defied the maria clara concept of
filipina Dresses
Only dressed people he invited
Awarded PNA for Fashion Design (2006)
Notably designed for Susan Magalona,
Gloria Romero, Chito Madrigal, and
various Philippine First Ladies
Francisca R. Aquino
(Mar 9, 1899 – Nov 21, 1983)
Known for Folk Dance and Academic on
the Dances
Born in Lolomboy, Bocaue, Bulacan
Died aged 84
DID extensive research on Philippine Folk
Dances
Philippine Folk
Dances (1960) Taught Filipino youth folk dances to
preserve the culture
Awarded Pna for Dance (1973)
Notable works: Philippine National Dances
(1946), Gymnastics for Girls (1947),
Fundamental Dance Steps and Music
Carlos P. Romulo
(Jan 14, 1898 – Dec 15, 1985)
Known for being a diplomat, journalist and
author
Born in Intramuros, Manila
Died aged 87
One of the Most decorated Filipinos in history
with 72 honorary degrees and 144 awards
I saw the Fall Wrote with regards to his experiences in
Of the Philippines
(1942) military and politics
Awarded PNA for Literature (1982)
Notable Awards: Pulitzer Prize, Purple Heart
Notable works: I Saw the Fall of the
Philippines (1942), Mother America (1943), I
Walk with Heroes (1961)
Guillermo Tolentino
(Jul 24, 1890 – Jul 12, 1976)
Known for Sculpting
Born in Malolos, Bulacan
Died aged 85
Awarded by UNESCO and Diwa
ng Lahi award
UP Oblation
Trademark: Classicism
Awarded PNA for Sculpting
(May 15, 1973)
Notable works: Bonifacio
Monument, UP Oblation,
Republic of the Philippines seal
Victorio Edades
(Dec 23, 1895 – Mar 7, 1985)
Known for painting
Born in Dagupan, Pangasinan
Died aged 89
Led the Thirteen Moderns, who
engaged in debates over the
The Lady in nature and function of art
Maria Clara
Trademark: Modernism
Awarded Pna for Painting (1976)
Notable works: The Sketch
(1928), The Builders, Interaction,
Fontainebleau, August 1937
Antonio J. Molina
(Dec 26, 1894 – Jan 29, 1980)
Known for Music composition,
conduction and administration
Born in Quiapo, Manila
Died aged 85
The Claude Debussy of the Philippines
Hatinggabi Credited with over 500 Compositions
Trademark: Impressionist themed
music
Awarded PNA for Music (1973)
Notable works: Hatinggabi, Ana Maria,
Awit ni Maria Clara, Kundiman-
Kundangan