Despite restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Order of National Artists, jointly administered by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), has unveiled the names of early nominees for the National Artists Award.
The coveted National Artists Awards, to be conferred by the President of the Philippines, are given to Filipinos who have made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts in the fields of Music, Dance, Theater, Visual Arts, Literature, Film, Broadcast Arts, Fashion, Architecture, and Allied Arts.
Among the early nominees are Eddie Garcia, Ramon Revilla, Vilma Santos-Recto, Peque Gallaga, Ricky Lee, Pitoy Moreno, Ben Farrales, Joey Ayala, and Isagani Cruz. Garcia, Revilla, Moreno and Farrales are nominees for Posthumous Awards.
Other nominees include pianist and former CCP President Raul Sunico, Nemensio Miranda, famous sculptor and painter, from Angono, Rizal; Nicanor Tiongson, top art critic, creative writer, and academician; Shirley Halili-Cruz, The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) awardee, and world-class dance director and educator; and Ligaya Amilbangsa, known for her studies and promotion of the Pangalay Dance tradition of the Southern Philippines, and a Ramon Magsaysay awardee.
From these distinguished personalities will come the new set of National Artists.