Seven personalities in Philippine arts and culture were named National Artists today, October 24, during a ceremony in Malacanang.
These personalities, who are considered to be giants in their fields, are (in alphabetical order):
Larry Alcala - National Artist for Visual Arts
Amelia Lapeña Bonifacio - National Artist for Theater
Ryan Cayabyab - National Artist for Music
Francisco "Bobby" Mañosa - National Artist for Architecture
Resil Mojares - National Artist for Literature
Ramon Muzones - National Artist for Literature
Kidlat Tahimik - National Artist for Cinema
Superstar Nora Aunor, however, is excluded again from the list.
According to National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) project coordinator Sabrina Tan, the 65-year-old Onanay actress was automatically nominated to become National Artist, since she was included in the previous shortlist of nominees.
In 2014, former president Benigno Aquino III said that he removed Nora from the list of awardees because of issues linking her to illegal drug use.
Three female weavers also received the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan award or National Living Treasures in 2017.
They are: Yabing Masalon Dulo, B’laan ikat weaver; Ambalang Ausalin, Yakan weaver; and Estelita Bantilan, B’laan mat weaver.
According to the website of NCCA, the recipients will be entitled to these following privileges: the rank and title of National Artist; gold-plated medallion minted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and citation; and a lifetime emolument and material and physical benefits comparable in value to those received by the highest officers of the land.
Furthermore, living awardees will get a minimum of P200,000 cash award, net of taxes; minimum lifetime personal monthly stipend of P50,000; and medical and hospitalization benefits not exceeding P750,000 per year; life insurance policy by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and or/ private insurance companies from date of conferment of the award, in the event that the National Artist is insurable; a state funeral; a place of honor at state functions, national commemoration ceremonies and all other cultural presentations.
On the other hand, posthumous awardees get a one-time minimum cash award of P150,000.