The Order of National Artists (Order ng Pambansang Alagad ng Sining) is the highest national recognition given to Filipino individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts, namely: Music, Dance, Theater, Visual Arts, Literature, Film, Broadcast Arts, and Architecture and Allied Arts. The order is jointly administered by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Cultural Center of the Philippines and conferred by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation by both institutions.
National Artists are given a Grand Collar symbolizing their status. Likened to the US National Medal for the Arts and the Order of Culture of Japan, the recipients embody the highest ideals of humanities and aesthetics and ideal expression of Filipinos as exemplified by their outstanding works and contributions.
Gemino Abad
National Artist for Literature, 2022
University Professor Emeritus, College of Arts and Letters (2004)
Director, Creative Writing Center (1995-1998)
Fides Cuyugan-Asensio
National Artist for Music, 2022
Professor Emeritus, College of Music (1997)
Ricardo “Ricky” Lee
National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, 2022
Agnes Locsin
National Artist for Dance, 2022
Senior Lecturer, College of Music (June 1985 – May 1992)
(+) Antonio “Tony” Mabesa
National Artist for Theater, 2022
Professor Emeritus, College of Arts and Letters (2002)
Founder, Dulaang UP (1976)
(+) Lauro “Larry” Alcala
National Artist for Visual Arts, 2018
Professor, College of Fine Arts
(+) Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio
National Artist for Theatre, 2018
University Professor Emeritus, College of Arts and Letters
Raymundo “Ryan” Cipriano P. Cayabyab
National Artist for Music, 2018
Professor, College of Music
Resil B. Mojares
National Artist for Literature, 2018
Kidlat Tahimik
National Artist for Film, 2018
Professor, College of Mass Communication
(+) Francisco F. Feliciano, DMA
National Artist for Music, 2014
Professor, College of Music (1969-1972, 1980-1986)
Ramon P. Santos, PhD
National Artist for Music, 2014
University Professor Emeritus, College of Music
Benedicto ‘Bencab’ Cabrera
National Artist for Visual Arts, 2006
Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa (2009)
(+) Bienvenido Lumbera, PhD
National Artist for Literature, 2006
Professor Emeritus, College of Arts and Letters
(+) Ildefonso Santos Jr. (I.P. Santos)
National Artist for Architecture, 2006
Professor, College of Architecture
Virgilio S. Almario, PhD (Rio Alma)
National Artist for Literature, 2003
Professor Emeritus and Dean, College of Arts and Letters (2003-2006)
(+) Jose T. Joya
National Artist for Visual Arts, 2003
Dean, College of Fine Arts (1970-1978)
Professor, College of Fine Arts
(+) Andrea O. Veneracion
National Artist for Music, 1999
Professor, College of Music
(+) Felipe de Leon
National Artist for Music, 1997
(+) N.V.M. Gonzalez, PhD
National Artist for Literature, 1997
Professor, Department of English and Comparative Literature
Founder, “The Diliman Review”
(+) Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero
National Artist for Theater, 1997
Director, UP Dramatic Club, 1947-1963
(+) Jose Maceda, PhD
National Artist for Music, 1997
Professor, College of Music
Founder, UP Center for Ethnomusicology
(+) Lucio D. San Pedro, PhD
National Artist for Music, 1991
Professor Emeritus, College of Music
(+) Cesar Legaspi
National Artist for Visual Arts, 1990
(+) Antonino R. Buenaventura
National Artist for Music, 1988
Conservatory of Music
(+) Carlos P. Romulo
National Artist for Literature, 1982
UP President (1962-1968)
(+) Napoleon V. Abueva
National Artist for Visual Arts, 1976
Dean, College of Fine Arts (1978 – 1989)
(+) Jovita Fuentes
National Artist for Music, 1976
Conservatory of Music
(+) Francisca Reyes Aquino, PhD
National Artist for Dance, 1973
Professor, Physical Education
Physical Director for Women (1930)
(+) Antonio J. Molina
National Artist for Music,1973
Professor, Conservatory of Music
(+) Guillermo Tolentino
National Artist for Visual Arts, 1973
Professor Emeritus, College of Fine Arts
Director, School of Fine Arts (1953-1955)
(+) Fernando C. Amorsolo
National Artist for Visual Arts, 1972
Director, School of Fine Arts (1938-1952)