CCP to pay tribute to 2018 national artists

MANILA, Philippines – The Cultural Center of the Philippines will be giving a tribute to 7 individuals who were bestowed the title National Artist in 2018.

The event is scheduled at 6 pm on Thursday, May 16 at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Expected to be honored are Larry Alcala, Amelia Lapeña Bonifacio, Ryan Cayabyab, Kidlat Tahimik, Francisco Mañosa, Resil Mojares and Ramon L. Muzones. The 7 individuals were named by Duterte in October.

The event is open to the public.

A well known cartoonist, Larry Alcala‘s cartoon strips have been featured in various publications. Slice of Life is one of the most popular work and has been in ciruclation for decades. Alcala died in 2002 at the age 75.

Amelia Lapeña Bonifacio has worked in theater and is known as “Grande Dame of Southeast Asian Children’s Theater.” Aside from the 40 plays, 20 books, and 30 stories she wrote, she was also a former chairperson of the University of the Philippines’ Creative Writing Program. She founded the Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas, a theater company dedicated to puppetry and children’s theater.

Ryan Cayabyab or “Mr C” is one of the country’s top songwriters and composers of the country. He’s produced music for all forms of media and was the man behind the hit group Smokey Mountain, whose songs include “Kailan,” “Paraiso,” and “Da Coconut Nut.” He also leads the 7-member Ryan Cayabyab Singers.

Francisco Mañosa is one of the country’s top architects, whose works include Coconut Palace and the EDSA Shrine. He is also known as the “Father of Philippine Neo-vernacular Architecture.” Mañosa died last February at the age of 88. 

Kidlat Tahimik is one of the country’s top independent filmmakers, whose work Perfumed Nightmare won the International Critics Award at the Berlin Film Festival. The Baguio based filmmaker was also the recipient of the UP Gawad Plaridel Award in 2009 for his dedication in Philippine cinema.

Resil Mojares is one of two awardees for National Artist for Literature and is known for his work on leading figures in regional literature and history. He is also the founding director of the Cebuano Studies Center, which put Cebu in the map when it comes to research. His works include Origins and Rise of the Filipino Novel and The War Against the Americans.

Ramon L. Muzones is a writer known for his Hiligaynon writings. A poet, essayist, short story writer, critic, grammarian, editor, lexicographer, and novelist among others, Muzones’ works include Margosatubig: The Story of Salagunting and the 125-installment longest serialized novel Dama de Noche. Muzones passed away in 1992. – Rappler.com