The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) announced on November 23, 2023, that nominations are now open for the new batch of national artists. The Order of National Artist (ONA), established in 1972, recognizes Filipinos who have made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts and letters.
Past recipients of this prestigious honor include renowned figures like painter Fernando Amorsolo, writer Nick Joaquin, musician Levi Celerio, actress Nora Aunor, fashion designer Salvacion Lim-Higgins, and filmmaker Lino Brocka, among others, totaling 81 individuals from various fields.
The call for Whang-Od’s inclusion as a national artist has been ongoing for years. Advocates argue that her cultural contributions, particularly in the traditional art of tattooing (mambabatok), deserve recognition. Despite this, NCCA Chairman Victorino Manalo clarified that Whang-Od’s craft falls under the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) and not the National Artist Award. The GAMABA is the National Living Treasures Award, acknowledging contributions to the country’s cultural heritage.
Whang-Od’s nomination for the GAMABA has been in discussion since 2015, with ongoing deliberations by the committee. The debate centers on whether her work, primarily in body art and tattoos, qualifies under the Visual Arts category.
The NCCA has expressed appreciation for Whang-Od’s contributions, previously honoring her with the Dangal ng Haraya Award in 2018 and the HIYAS Award for Indigenous Art by the CCP in September 2022.
Addressing criticism about gender bias in National Artist Awards, Victorino debunked such notions, stating that the selection process focuses on the body of work and its national importance. Dancer and National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that talent is genderless in the rigorous and demanding selection process.
To nominate and learn more about the process, interested parties can visit the NCCA website.
, deserve recognition. Despite this, NCCA Chairman Victorino Manalo clarified that Whang-Od's craft falls under the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) and not the National Artist Award. The GAMABA is the National Living Treasures Award, acknowledging contributions to the country's cultural heritage.){kind=link}