10 new National Artists named

MANILA, Philippines —  Ten new National Artists have been named by Malacañang, according to an official Palace communiqué yesterday.

The new National Artists are architect Gabriel Formoso (+), dancer Rafael “Nonoy” Froilan, designer Maria Beatriz “Patis” Tesoro, scriptwriter Armando Lao (+), writer Gregorio Brillantes (+), playwright-scholar Nicanor Tiongson, composer Alfredo Buenaventura, lighting designer Teodoro Hilado (+), artist Imelda Cajipe Endaya and painter Nunelucio Alvarado of Negros Occidental.

Proclamation No. 1414 declared the latest batch of National Artists for 2025 in a letter addressed to Kaye Tinga, president and CEO of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, from the Office of the President.

The CCP, along with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, helps administer the awards and vets the winners.

The last time the highest honors in Philippine arts and letters were conferred was in 2022. National Artist for music Ryan Cayabyab once said winning the award is like going “through the eye of a needle,” after a stringent process involving several screenings before a panel that includes past winners.