• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is calling for nominations for the Order of National Artist (ONA) until June 30.
The Order of National Artist, by virtue of Proclamation No. 1001 dated Apr. 27, 1972, was established to bestow appropriate recognition and prestige on Filipinos who have distinguished themselves and made outstanding contributions to Philippines arts and letters.
Jointly administered by NCCA and CCP, and conferred by the President of the Philippines; the ONA is the highest national recognition given to Filipino individuals that aim to acknowledge artists who have made significant contributions to the cultural heritage of the country and artistic accomplishment at its highest level.
The candidates may be nominated under one of these categories: dance, music, theater, visual arts, literature, film and broadcast arts, architecture and allied arts, and design.
Oscar Casaysay, NCCA executive director, said this is the first leg of the Regional ONA. Out of the 81 proclaimed National Artists in the country, only 10 are from the Visayas.
Marichu Tellano, NCCA deputy executive director for administration, said they hope that another National Artist from Negros will be among those chosen this year. The awarding and conferment ceremony will be held in June.
Various honors and privileges are entitled to those conferred with the ONA: the rank and title of National Artists, the National Artist gold-plated medallion minted by the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), and citation; a lifetime emolument and materials; and physical benefits such as cash awards, lifetime monthly stipends, medical and hospitalization benefits, and coverage by a life insurance policy by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and/or private insurance companies.
Nominations for the Order of National Artist may be submitted by government and non-government cultural organizations and educational institutions, as well as private foundations and councils.*
