.' 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. 1258 
Introduced by Senator Manny Villar 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
1;~ ?.3 :29 
The great Filipino painters Fernando Amorsolo, Vicente Manansala, Arturo Luz, 
Cesar Legaspi, Ang Kiukok and Ben Cabrera. The prolific Filipino auteur Lino Brocka 
and Philippine cinema's finest realist Ishmael Bernal. The bravura of outstanding 
musicians Andrea Veneracion, Lucio San Pedro and Lucrecia Kasilag. The masterful 
steps of Francisca Reyes Aquino and Ramon Obusan. The grandeur of designs in the 
works of Salvador Bernal. The gem of sculpture excellence of Napoleon Abueva. The 
fascinatingly rich writings of Nick Joaquin, Bienvenido Lumbera, and F. Sionil Jose. The 
true actor's actor, film gem Fernando Poe, Jr. 
All of them, together with more than twenty (20) other Filipinos of the highest 
artistry and pride are National Artist awardees. 
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 in the development of 
Philippine arts, namely, visual arts, literature, music, dance, film, broadcast arts, fashion 
design, architecture and allied arts. 
Through Proclamation Number 1001 issued on April 2, 1972, the National Artist 
Award is administered by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and presented by the 
President of the Philippines. At present, the Artista ng Bayan is given a presidential 
medallion and is conferred membership in the Order of National Artists. 
This legislation complements the national recognition being awarded by providing 
cash prizes and a dedication spot which celebrates the excellent works, highest artistry 
and outstanding body of works and deeds of the Artista ng Bayan. It should be 
extended to all winners, from 1972 to the present. 
Early cognizance of this bill is sought. 
VI LAR 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
8.B.1258 
Introduced by Senator Manny Villar 
AN ACT 
COMPLEMENTING THE HIGHEST HONOR OF PRIDE TO ALL NATIONAL 
ARTIST OR "ARTISTA NG BAYAN" AWARDEES BY GRANTING THEM 
CASH PRIZES AND OTHER NON-MONETARY RECOGNITION 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
, 
SECTION 1. All awardees of the National Artist or "Artista ng Bayan" including 
those that have been recognized posthumously are accorded the highest honor of 
Philippine' pride and shall be given a cash prize of One Million Pesos (Php 
1,000,000.00) each. 
Five (5) years after its implementation, the National Commission on Culture and 
Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) are hereby empowered to 
review the cash prizes as may be deemed necessary and recommend appropriate 
increases and awarding of other prizes as may be relevant. 
A "spot of honor" in the CCP and NCCA is to be constructed and each of the 
National Artist winner shall be accorded a corner showcasing and celebrating his/her 
excellent works, highest artistry and outstanding body of works and deeds. 
For the purpose of this Act, the family or beneficiaries of the awardees shall be 
entitled to the cash prizes provided in this Act, in addition to their prizes which include a 
presidential medallion and membership conferment in the Order of National Artists: 
Provided, That the term "family" or "beneficiary" shall refer to the surviving spouse and 
his/her legitimate children, or parents, or brothers and sisters, in that order. Provided, 
further, that the grant of cash prizes under this Act shall have retroactive application and 
shall be provided all National Artist or "Artista ng Bayan" awardees. 
SEC. 2. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act is hereby 
authorized to be appropriated in the General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication 
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation. 
Approved,