National Artist of the Philippines

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

Insignia of the Order of National Artists

A National Artist of the Philippines is a title given to a Filipino who has been given the highest
recognition for having made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts. Such
Filipinos are announced, by virtue of a Presidential Proclamation, as National Artist or in
Filipino, Gawad Pambansang Alagad ng Sining. They are then conferred membership in the
Order of National Artists, the regalia of which is an ornate, gilden collar of honor. In addition to
the collar, each newly proclaimed member of the Order is given a citation that is presented
during the awardees' conferment ceremonies. The Cultural Center of the Philippines then hosts a
Memorabilia Exhibit and Gabi ng Parangal (A Night of Tributes) for the National Artists at the
Tanghalang Pambansa.

Other benefits received by National artists include a monthly pension, medical and life
insurance, arrangements for a state funeral, a place of honor at national state functions, and
recognition at cultural events.[1]

The National Artist Honors is administered by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) by
virtue of President Ferdinand Marcos's Proclamation No. 1001 of April 2, 1972 and the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). The Government of the Republic of the
Philippines confers the award to deserving individuals who have been recommended by both the
CCP and the NCCA. The first award was posthumously conferred on Filipino painter Fernando
Amorsolo.

Contents
[hide]
 • 1 Categories
• 2 Criteria
• 3 List of National Artists
o 3.1 Music
o 3.2 Dance
o 3.3 Theater and Film
o 3.4 Visual Arts
o 3.5 Literature
o 3.6 Cinemas
o 3.7 Architecture
 3.7.1 Fashion Design
o 3.8 Historical Literature
o 3.9 Mural/Muralist
• 4 Controversy
• 5 References

• 6 External links

[edit] Categories
Categories under which National Artists can be recognized originally included[2]:

• Music;
• Dance;
• Theater;
• Visual Arts;
• Literature;
• Film and Broadcast Arts; and
• Architecture and Allied Arts.

However, national artists have since been honored under new categories. The NCCA 'created' the
category of National Artist for Fashion Design when it nominated Ramon Valera, but subsumed
that category under "Architecture and Allied Arts". President Fidel V. Ramos issued an executive
order creating the category of National Artist for Historical Literature before conferring the
honor to Carlos Quirino. As part of the 2009 National Artist of the Philippines controversy,
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo proclaimed Carlo J. Caparas a National Artist under the category of
"Visual Art and Film", but it was unclear whether the honor was given under the separate
categories of "Visual Art" and "Film", or as a new, combined category.[3]

[edit] Criteria
Nominations for National Artist of the Philippines are based on a broad criteria, as set forth by
the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts[2]:
 1. Living artists who have been Filipino citizens for the last ten years prior to nomination as
well as those who have died after the establishment of the award in 1972 but were
Filipino citizens at the time of their death;
2. Artists who have helped build a Filipino sense of nationhood through the content and
form of their works;
3. Artists who have distinguished themselves by pioneering in a mode of creative
expression or style, making an impact on succeeding generations of artists;
4. Artists who have created a significant body of works and/or have consistently displayed
excellence in the practice of their art form, enriching artistic expression or style; and
5. Artists who enjoy broad acceptance through prestigious national and/or international
recognition, awards in prestigious national and/or international events, critical acclaim
and/or reviews of their works, and/or respect and esteem from peers within an artistic
discipline.

Nominations are then submitted to the National Artist Secretariat that is created by the National
Artist Award Committee; experts from the different art fields then sit on a First Deliberation to
prepare the short list of nominees. A Second Deliberation, which is a joint meeting of the
Commissioners of the NCCA and the Board of Trustees of the CCP, decides on the final
recomendees. The list is then forwarded to the President of the Philippines, who, by Presidential
Proclamation, proclaims the final nominees as members of the Order of National Artists.[4]

[edit] List of National Artists

[edit] Music

• Levi Celerio
• Ernani Joson Cuenco
• Felipe Padilla De Leon
• Jovita Fuentes
• Lucrecia Kasilag
• Jose Maceda
• Antonio J. Molina
• Lucio D. San Pedro
• Andrea Veneracion
• Honorata "Atang" de la Rama
• Antonino R. Buenaventura

[edit] Dance

• Francisca Reyes Aquino

• Leonor Orosa Goquingco
• Ramon Obusan
• Lucrecia Reyes Urtula

[edit] Theater and Film

 • Daisy Avellana
• Honorata "Atang" de la Rama
• Rolando S. Tinio
• Salvador F. Bernal
• Lamberto V. Avellana
• Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero
• Severino Montano
• Lino Brocka

[edit] Visual Arts

• Napoleon Abueva (Sculpture)

• Federico Aguilar Alcuaz (Painting, Sculpture and Mixed Media)
• Fernando C. Amorsolo (Painting)
• Benedicto Cabrera (Painting)
• Victorio C. Edades (Painting)
• Carlos V. Francisco (Painting)
• Abdulmari Asia Imao (Sculpture)
• Jose T. Joya (Painting)
• Ang Kiukok (Painting)
• Cesar Legaspi (Painting)
• Arturo R. Luz (Painting)
• Vicente S. Manansala (Painting)
• J. Elizalde Navarro (Painting)
• Hernando R. Ocampo (Painting)
• Guillermo Tolentino (Sculpture)

[edit] Literature

• Francisco Arcellana
• Virgilio S. Almario
• Lazaro Francisco
• N. V. M. Gonzalez
• Amado V. Hernandez
• Nick Joaquin
• F. Sionil Jose
• Bienvenido Lumbera
• Alejandro R. Roces
• Carlos P. Romulo
• Edith L. Tiempo
• Jose Garcia Villa

[edit] Cinemas
 • Lino Brocka
• Ishmael Bernal
• Gerardo de León
• Fernando Poe, Jr.
• Eddie S. Romero
• Manuel Conde

[edit] Architecture

• Pablo Antonio
• Juan Nakpil
• Leandro Locsin
• Ildefonso Santos (I.P. Santos)

[edit] Fashion Design

(Categorized under "Allied Arts")

• Ramon Valera

[edit] Historical Literature

(New category created by President Fidel V. Ramos)

• Carlos Quirino

[edit] Mural/Muralist

• Carlos "Botong" V. Francisco

[edit] Controversy
Main article: 2009 National Artist of the Philippines controversy

In August 2009, the conferment of the Order of National Artists to seven individuals by
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo [5] became controversial when it was revealed that musician
Ramon Santos had been dropped from the list of nominees short-listed in May that year by the
selection committee, and that four other individuals had been nominated to the title via
"President’s prerogative":Cecilla Guidote-Alvarez (Theater), Magno Jose "Carlo” Caparas
(Visual Arts and Film), Francisco Manosa (Architecture), and Jose “Pitoy” Moreno (Fashion
Design).[1][6]

Members of the Philippine art community, including a number of living National Artists of the
Philippines, protested that the proclamation politicized the title of National artist, and made it "a
way for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to accommodate her allies." Specific protests were
raised regarding the nomination of NCCA executive director Guidote-Alvarez, because it was
purportedly a breach of protocol and delicadeza (propriety), and of Carlo Caparas, because he
was allegedly not qualified to be nominated under the categories of either Visual Arts or Film.[6]
[7]

[edit] References
1. ^ a b Annie Ruth C. Sabangan (2009-08-01). "Fury over Arroyo’s choice of national
artists". GMANews.tv: The Official Website of GMA News and Public Affairs.
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/168807/Fury-over-Arroyos-choice-of-national-artist.
2. ^ a b "The National Artists of the Philippines Guidelines". ncca.gov.ph. National
Commission for Culture and the Arts. 2007. http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca/org-
awards/org-awards-national-artist-guidelines.php. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
3. ^ "Corruption of Culture?". Media in Focus. 2008-08-06.
4. ^ Proclaimed a National Artist, not awarded
5. ^ TJ Burgonio (2009 July 29). "Arroyo names 7 National Artists for ‘09". Philippine
Daily Inquirer.
http://services.inquirer.net/mobile/09/07/29/html_output/xmlhtml/20090729-217787-
xml.html.
6. ^ a b Kristine L. Alave, Bayani San Diego Jr (2009 August 1). "Palace choices of 4 nat’l
artists protested". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090801-218247/Palace-
choices-of-4-natl-artists-protested.
7. ^ Gerry Alanguilan (2009). "Bottom Line: Carlo J. Caparas is NOT Qualified".
Komikero Comics Journal. Komikero Comics Journal.
http://gerry.alanguilan.com/archives/1659. Retrieved 2009-08-04.

[edit] External links

• List of National Artists (NCCA). From the National Commission on Culture and the Arts
(NCCA) website.
• National Artists Guidelines (NCCA)
• National Artists in Waiting: Six in a Fix
• An Online Resource Center for Filipino Writers and Readers

[hide]v · d · 
e
Levi Celerio
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Levi Celerio
Born April 30, 1910
Died April 2, 2002
Occupations Songwriter
Labels art

Levi Celerio (April 30, 1910 - April 2, 2002) was a Filipino composer and lyricist who was born
in Manila, Philippines. Celerio was a prolific song-writer, with over 4,000 songs to his credit. He
is perhaps best-known for being a leaf-player, a feat for which he was put into the Guinness
Book of World Records. In 1997, he was named National Artist of the Philippines for Music.

Contents
[hide]

• 1 Birth
• 2 Proclaimed as National Artists
• 3 Later years
• 4 Death
• 5 Notes

• 6 External links

[edit] Birth
Levi Celerio was born on April 30, 1910 in Tondo, Manila. He received a scholarship to the
Academy of Music in Manila and became the youngest member of the Manila Symphony
Orchestra. He wrote several number of songs for local movies, which earned for him the
Lifetime Achievement Award of the Film Academy of the Philippines. Celerio has written lyrics
for more than 4,000 Filipino folk, Christmas, and love songs, including many that became movie
titles.

Known for being a good lyricist, his songs cherish life, convey nationalistic sentiments and utter
grand philosophies. Celerio wrote more than 4,000 songs, among them are popular pieces, which
many consider to be immortal. At one time or another, no Filipino could miss the tune or lyrics
of Levi's Christmas songs: Pasko na Naman, Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon
(Ang Pasko ay Sumapit), and Misa de Gallo.
His more popular love songs include: Saan Ka Man Naroroon?, Kahit Konting Pagtingin,
Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal, Kapag Puso'y Sinugatan, and Ikaw, O Maliwanag na Buwan, Dahil
Sa Isang Bulaklak, Sa Ugoy ng Duyan, Bagong Pagsilang, and Sapagkat Kami'y Tao Lamang,
while his folk songs include Ang Pipit, Tinikling, Tunay na Tunay, Itik-Itik, Waray-Waray,
Pitong Gatang, Ako ay May Singsing, Alibangbang, Alembong, Galawgaw, Caprichosa, Ang
Tapis ni Inday, Dungawin Mo Hirang, Umaga na Neneng, Ikaw Kasi, and Basta't Mahal Kita.
Celerio also wrote nationalistic songs such as Ang Bagong Lipunan, Lupang Pangarap, and
Tinig ng Bayan.

Celerio, for a time, was also recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the only man
who could play music with a leaf. Because of his talent, Celerio was invited to The Merv Griffin
Show, where he played "All the Things You Are" with 39 musicians. Using his leaf, Levi wowed
the crowd and got the attention of the Guinness Book of World Records. The Book later listed
the entry: "The only leaf player in the world is in the Philippines". He would also later appear on
That's Incredible!.[1]

Levi Celerio is buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

[edit] Proclaimed as National Artists

On October 9, 1997, pursuant to Proclamation No. 1114, President Fidel V. Ramos proclaimed
him a National Artist for Music and Literature. His citation read that his music "was a perfect
embodiment of the heartfelt sentiments and valued traditions of the Filipino."[2]

[edit] Later years

In his old age, Levi occasionally appeared in public, usually at a concert at the Cultural Center of
the Philippines. He was also playing at a Quezon City bar from time to time.[3]

[edit] Death
He died at the Delgado Clinic in Quezon City on April 2, 2002 at the age of 91, just two days
after the death of a fellow National Artist, Lucio San Pedro (who wrote the music for Sa Ugoy
ng Duyan). But his death was overshadowed by the death a few days earlier of the popular
matinee idol Rico Yan, thus, his death was received with little public attention. He was buried
with full military honors at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (National Heroes' Cemetery).[3]

[edit] Notes
1. ^ Levi Celerio
2. ^ National Commission for Culture and the Arts. (n.d.). National Artists of the
Philippines. Manila: National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
3. ^ a b Filipino of the Century Czarina love Karl

Lucrecia Kasilag
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search

Lucrecia Kasilag (August 31, 1917—August 16, 2008) was a Filipino composer, music
educator, and National Artist for Music.

She studied composition with Wayne Barlow.

She was also a former president of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, head of the Asian
Composers League, Chairperson of the Philippine Society for Music Education, and was one of
the pioneers of the Bayanihan Dance Company. She is credited for having written more than 200
musical compositions, ranging from folksongs to opera to orchestral works, and was composing
up to the year before she died, at age 90.

She is particularly known for daring to incorporate indigenous Filipino instruments in orchestral
productions.

[edit] Sources
• Tariman, Pablo; Plaza, Gerry (2008-08-17). "Lucrecia Kasilag, grand dame of RP music,
dies at 90". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20080817-155206/Lucrecia-
Kasilag-grand-dame-of-RP-music-dies-at-90
• "National Artist for Music Lucrecia Kasilag, 90". ABS-CBN News Online. 2008-08-18.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/08/18/08/national-artist-music-
lucrecia-kasilag-90. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
 • José Maceda
• From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
• (Redirected from Jose Maceda)
• Jump to: navigation, search
• José Maceda (January 31, 1917 - May 5, 2004) was a Filipino composer and
ethnomusicologist.
• [edit] Life
• Maceda was born in Manila, the Philippines. He studied piano, composition and musical
analysis at École Normale de Musique de Paris. After returning to his native country, he
became a professional pianist. Later, he also studied musicology at Columbia University,
and anthropology at Northwestern University. Starting in 1952, he conducted fieldwork
on ethnic musics in the Philippines. From about 1954, he was involved in the research
and composition of musique concrète. In 1958, he worked at a recording studio in Paris
which specialized in musique concrète. During this period, he met Pierre Boulez,
Karlheinz Stockhausen and Iannis Xenakis. In 1963, Maceda earned an doctorate in
ethnomusicology from the UCLA. He began pursuing the compositional career more
vigorously. At the same time, he held concerts in Manila until 1969, in which he
performed and conducted. This series of concerts introduced Boulez, Xenakis and Edgard
Varèse to the Filipinos.
• [edit] Music
• As an ethnomusicologist, Maceda investigated various forms of music in Southeast Asia,
and produced numerous papers. In addition to that, he made his own pieces for Southeast
Asian instruments. His notable works include: Pagsamba for 116 instruments, 100 mixed
and 25 male voices (1968); Cassette 100 for 100 cassette players (1971); Ugnayan for 20
radio stations (1974); Udlot-Udlot for several hundret to several thousand people (1975);
Suling-Suling for 10 flutes, 10 bamboo buzzers and 10 flat gongs (1985). From the 1990s,
he also composed for Western orchestra and piano. The examples are: Distemperament
for orchestra (1992); Colors without Rhythm for orchestra (1999); Sujeichon for 4 pianos
(2002).

Lucio D. San Pedro

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
This article needs additional citations for verification.
Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and
removed. (May 2008)

Lucio San Pedro (February 11, 1913 - March 31, 2002) was born on February 11, 1913 in
Angono, Rizal, the Philippines. He was a composer and teacher in the Philippines. He is known
in the Philippines as the composer of the popular lullaby Sa Ugoy ng Duyan (in collaboration
with Levi Celerio) and the symphonic poem Lahing Kayumanggi, he taught composition at a
number of colleges and universities, including the University of the Philippines College of
Music, where he served as chairman of its Composition and Conducting Department from 1970
to 1973.

Lucio came from a family with musical roots and he began his career early. When he was still in
his late teens, he became a church organist, taking over the job after the death of his grandfather.
By then, he had already composed songs, hymns and two complete Masses for voices and
orchestra. After studying with several prominent musicians in the Philippines, he took advanced
composition training with Bernard Wagenaar of the Netherlands. He also studied harmony and
orchestration under Vittorio Giannini and took classes at Juilliard in 1947.

His other vocation was teaching. He has taught at the Ateneo de Manila University, virtually all
the major music conservatories in Manila[citation needed], and at the College of Music of the
University of the Philippines, Diliman, where he retired as a full professor in 1978. He received
the title Professor Emeritus from the University in 1979.[citation needed]

On May 9, 1991, President Corazon C. Aquino proclaimed Lucio D. San Pedro a National Artist
of the Philippines for Music.[1]

He died of cardiac arrest on March 31, 2002 at the age of 89. A number of national artists
attended his tribute at the Tanghalang Pambansa, including: Napoleon Abueva, Daisy Avellana,
Leonor Gokingco, Nick Joaquin, Arturo Luz, Jose Maceda, and Andrea Veneracion. He is buried
in his hometown of Angono, Rizal.

[edit] Notes
1. ^ National Commission for Culture and the Arts. (n.d.). National Artists of the
Philippines. Manila: National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Andrea Veneracion
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Andrea Ofilada Veneracion
 Background information
Born July 11, 1928 (age 82)
Origin Quezon City, Philippines
choral music, classical music, folk music,
Genres
pop music
Occupations conductor, composer, arranger, singer
Instruments voice
Years active 1963–200
Associated acts Philippine Madrigal Singers

Andrea Ofilada Veneracion (born July 11, 1928 in Manila) (or Ma'am OA),[1] is a Filipino
choral conductor and a recipient of the 1999 National Artist for Music award.[2] She founded the
Philippine Madrigal Singers in 1963.[3] She was also an adjudicator in numerous international
choral competitions and was an active force in choral music before her massive stroke in 2005.

Contents
[hide]

• 1 Biography
• 2 Awards
• 3 References
• 4 External links

• 5 See also
 [edit] Biography
She was born and raised in Manila, Philippines and earned her Bachelor of Music degrees in
Piano and Voice at the University of the Philippines Diliman graduating Cum Laude. She was a
lyric soprano soloist in various Oratorio works and in the Opera Stage. She was also a very
accomplished pianist and accompanist and was the accompanist of National Artist for Music,
Jovita Fuentes for a number of years. Apart from being an extraordinary musician, she was also
an exceptional athlete as a competitive swimmer. In fact, she was part of the Philippine
Swimming team who first competed internationally in Hong Kong.

Later on, she continued to pursue her Master's Degree in Voice at Indiana University School of
Music - Bloomington as a Fulbright scholar, where there she encountered the Indiana University
Madrigal Singers which rallied the music of the Renaissance period.

Upon her return to the Philippines in 1963, she established a singing group with the same idea.
This group was initially exclusive of U.P. faculty members and students and became officially
known as the University of the Philippines Madrigal Singers. She established a tradition for
which the Madz, as they are fondly called, are known for: unlike most choirs, the Madz were
seated in a semi-circle formation without a conductor. The Choirmaster is at the left-most end of
the circle who leads the group by giving their cues.

Under her direction, the Philippine Madrigal Singers won major awards in international choral
competitions - Spittal, Austria; Arezzo and Gorizia, Italy; Neuchâtel, Switzerland; Debrecen,
Hungary; Varna, Bulgaria; Tolosa, Spain; and Marktoberdorf, Germany. In 1996, she led the
Philippine Madrigal Singers to its victory in the 1996 International Choral Competition in
Tolosa, Spain. This made them eligible to compete for the European Choral Grand Prix on the
following year and eventually won the title in Tours, France.

She is also the founding choirmaster and first conductor of the Asian Institute for Liturgy and
Music (AILM) Chorale.[4]

Later, some of her choristers went on to establish their own careers as well-known music
performers and choral composers, conductors and arrangers in the Philippines; they include Ryan
Cayabyab, Joel Navarro, Victor Asuncion, Montet Acoymo, Robert Delgado, Edgardo
Nepomuceno, Jonathan Velasco, Eudenice Palaruan, Fr. Arnold Zamora, Christopher Borela,
Anna Tabita Abeleda-Piquero and the present Madz Choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio.

In 1997, She was awarded the TOFIL (The Outstanding Filipino) Award for Culture and the Arts
For her contributions to the development of choral singing in the Philippines.

Eventually in 1999, Ma'am OA was named National Artist for Music, the highest cultural award
bestowed by the Philippine government for an individual.].

In 2001, she retired as the Choirmaster of the Philippine Madrigal Singers. Together with an
artistic committee, she personally selected Mark Anthony Carpio, her Assistant Choirmaster at
that time, to be her successor. The Madz turnover ceremonies were held in a special concert at
the Cultural Center of the Philippines coinciding with the launch of her biography "A Life
Shaped By Music" by Marjorie Evasco.

She continued to guide the Madz under Carpio's baton by joining them in their 2002 North
American Tours, 2003 Asian Tours and 2004 European Concert Tours. She was also there to
witness Carpio's first international competition as Choirmaster (and the Madz's first competition
after 7 years) at the 2004 International Competition of Habaneras and Polyphony in Torrevieja,
Spain, where the Madz won First Places for both categories and was also the last choir to do so.

In December, 2005, she suffered a massive stroke which led to her paralysis. The Madz is
constantly performing benefit concerts, the proceeds of which are used to help the Veneracion
family for Ma'am OA's medical expenses.[5][6]

[edit] Awards
For a list of awards won by the Philippine Madrigal Singers, see Philippine Madrigal
Singers

• 1999 - National Artist of the Philippines for Music - currently the only awardee for choral
music.
• 2001 - Distinguished Alumni Service award - awarded by Indiana University.

[edit] References
1. ^ Vanzi, Sol (6 September 2007). "The 'Philippine Madrigal Singers': the 'Madz' Takes
the World By Song". Philippine Headline News Online.
http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/sb/sb005079.htm. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
2. ^ "Andrea O. Veneracion, Music (1999)". National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca/org-awards/music/andrea_veneracion.php. Retrieved
27 December 2010.
3. ^ Quismundo, Tarra (8 August 2007). "Victorious Madrigals sing on arrival from choral
Olympics". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20070828-
85212/Victorious_Madrigals_sing_on_arrival_from_choral_Olympics. Retrieved 27
December 2010.
4. ^ Filipinas and Dutch discuss together the role of political participation in integration
Bayanihan March 2006
5. ^ The Sweet Sound of Victory - The Manila Times, June 25, 2006.
6. ^ For the Love of a Founder - Yehey! Lifestye article

[edit] External links

• [1] - The Philippine Madrigal Singers official website
• International Choral Kathaumixw - profile
[edit] See also
• Philippine Madrigal Singers
• Mark Anthony Carpio

Atang de la Rama
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Honorata "Atang" de la Rama)
Jump to: navigation, search
Atang de la Rama
Honorata de la Rama
Born January 11, 1902
Tondo, Manila
July 11, 1991 (aged 89)
Died
Manila
Occupation Filipino singer and actress
Years active 1919 - 1955
Spouse Amado V. Hernandez
National Artist for Theater and Music
Awards
1987

Honorata de la Rama–Hernandez (January 11, 1902 – July 11, 1991), commonly known as
Atang de la Rama was a singer and bodabil performer who became the first Filipina film
actress.

Atang de la Rama was born in Tondo, Manila on January 11, 1905. By the age of 7, she was
already starring in Spanish zarzuelas such as Mascota, Sueño de un Vals, and Marina. At the age
of 15, she starred in the sarsuela Dalagang Bukid, where she became known for the singing the
song, Nabasag na Banga.[1]

During the American occupation of the Philippines, Atang de la Rama fought for the dominance
of the kundiman, an important Philippine folk song, and the sarsuela, which is a musical play
that focused on contemporary Filipino issues such as usury, cockfighting, and colonial mentality.
[2]

Generations of Filipino artists and audiences consider Atang de la Rama's vocal and acting
talents as responsible for much of the success of original Filipino sarsuelas like Dalagang Bukid,
and dramas like Veronidia.[2] She has also been a theatrical producer, writer and talent manager.
She was the producer and the writer of plays such as Anak ni Eva and Bulaklak ng Kabundukan.
For her achievements and contributions to the art form, she was hailed Queen of the Kundiman
and of the Sarsuela in 1979, at the age of 74.[1]

Atang believed that art should be for everyone; not only did she perform in major Manila
theaters such as the Teatro Libertad and the Teatro Zorilla, but also in cockpits and open plazas
in Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. She also made an effort to bring the kundiman and
sarsuela to the indigenous peoples of the Philippine such as the Igorots, the Itas, and the
Mangyans. She was also at the forefront of introducing Filipino culture to foreign audiences. At
the height of her career, she sang kundimans and other Filipino songs in concerts in such cities as
Hawaii, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Tokyo.

On May 8, 1987, "for her sincere devotion to original Filipino theater and music, her outstanding
artistry as singer, and as sarsuela actress-playwright-producer, her tireless efforts to bring her art
to all sectors of Filipino society and to the world," President Corazon C. Aquino proclaimed
Atang de la Rama a National Artist of the Philippines for Theater and Music.[3]

Atang de la Rama died on July 11, 1991. She was married to National Artist for Literature,
Amado V. Hernandez.

[edit] Notes
1. ^ a b Honorata "Atang" dela Rama
2. ^ a b Cultural Center of the Philippines. (2002). Lagi Kitang Naaalala. Manila: Cultural
Center of the Philippines
3. ^ National Commission for Culture and the Arts. (n.d.). National Artists of the
Philippines. Manila: National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

[edit] External links

• Honorata de la Rama at the Internet Movie Database

[show]
v•d•e
Cinema of the
Philippines

[show]
v•d•e
National Artists of the Philippines

Architect Cinema Dance Fashion Histori Literature Music Theater Visual

ure 1982 Gera 1973 Fran 2006 Ra cal 1973 Jose 1973 Ant and arts
1973 Juan rdo de cisca R. mon literatu Garcia onio films 1972 Ferna
Nakpil León Aquino Valera re Villa Molina 1976 Lam ndo
 1976 Pabl 1991 Ish 1976 Leo 2009 Pit 1997 Ca 1973 Amad 1976 Jovi berto V. Amorsolo
o Antonio mael nor Orosa oy rlos o V. ta Avellana 1973 Boto
1990 Lean Bernal 1988 Lucr Moreno Quirino Hernandez Fuentes 1997 Wilf ng
dro 1997 Lino ecia 1976 Nick 1987 Ata rido Ma. Francisco
Locsin Brocka Reyes Joaquin ng de la Guerrero 1973 Guill
2003 Ildef 2003 Eddi 2006 Ram 1982 Carlo Rama 1997 Rola ermo
onso e Romero on s P. 1988 Ant ndo Tinio Tolentino
Santos, Jr. 2006 Fern Obusan Romulo onio 1999 Dais 1976 Napo
2009 Fran ando Poe, 1990 Franc Buenaven y leon
cisco Jr. isco tura Avellana Abueva
Mañosa 2009 Carl Arcellana 1988 Luc 2001 Seve 1976 Victo
o J. 1990 N. V. recia rino rio C.
Caparas M. Kasilag Montano Edades
2009 Man Gonzalez 1991 Luc 2003 Salv 1990 Cesar
uel Conde 1992 Rolan io D. San ador Legaspi
do Tinio Pedro Bernal 1981 Vice
1999 Edith 1997 Lev 2009 Ceci nte
Tiempo i Celerio lla Manansala
2001 F. 1997 Feli Alvarez 1991 Hern
Sionil José pe de 2009 Man ando R.
2003 Virgil Leon uel Conde Ocampo
io S. 1997 Jose 1997 Artur
Almario Maceda o R. Luz
2003 Aleja 1999 Ern 1999 J.
ndro Roces ani Elizalde
2006 Bienv Cuenco Navarro
enido 1999 And 2001 Ang
Lumbera rea Kiukok
2009 Lazar Veneraci 2003 José
o Francisco on T. Joya
2006 BenC
ab Cabrera
2006 Abdu
lmari Asia
Imao
2009 Feder
ico Aguilar
Alcuaz
2009 Carlo
J. Caparas

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atang_de_la_Rama"

Categories: 1905 births | 1991 deaths | National Artists of the Philippines | Philippine culture |
Filipino film actors | Filipino people of Spanish descent | People from Manila
 Philippine National
Artists of Music

Antonio
Molina

Philippine National
Artists of Music
Antonio
Molina
•

Musician
•

Composer
•

Music Educator
•

Was the last of the triumvirate who elevated music

beyond the realm of folk music
•

First Philippine National Artist (1973)

•

“Hatinggabi” – Molina’s most famous composistion

•

Died: January 29, 1980

Jovita Fuentes
•

Born: February 15, 1895

•

Performed internationally
•

Active crusader of musical movements

(Asosacion Musical de Felipinas, The Bach Society of the
Philippines, Artist Guild of the Philippines, Music Promotion
Foundation of the Philippines)
•

Philippine National Artist of Music (1976)

Antonio
Buenaventura
•
Joined the AFP
•

A Philippine delegate to the International Society for Music

Education (Switzerland 1976)
•

Philippine National Artist for Music (1988)

Lucrecia Roces Kasilag

•

Teacher
•
Performer
•

Composer
•

Born: August 31, 1918

•

Fused Philippine ethnic music to western music using

indigenous instruments.
•

Considered the “First Lady of Philippine Music”

•

Philippine National Artist in Music (1989)